This week’s SmackDown was almost back to the early days of Performance Center shows back in March.
With WWE getting rocked by a number of positive coronavirus tests, it was safe to assume last night’s show would be down to the bare bones in terms of superstars, and even more so when the company announced its plans for the programme.
Yep, the entire first hour of Friday was essentially a tribute to The Undertaker and his last ever match after he seemingly confirmed his retirement last weekend.
It all kicked off in an incredibly awkward way, going from a typically brilliant video package, to a number of stars – including The New Day and Jeff Hardy – on the ramp applauding the Dead Man.
Seeing them all chant ‘Thank you Taker’ when he’s simply retired was a bit bizarre, but it led into a recap of the Boneyard Match with AJ Styles from WrestleMania 36.
Naturally some bits were cut from this broadcast, and commercial breaks led into the likes Roman Reigns and Edge talking about the legend of the Undertaker.
It was a decent way to fill some time, as the match is still as fantastic as fans will remember the first time round – and airing it on free TV is a great advert for the WWE Network.
Thankfully, the repeat actually played into the second half of the show as King Corbin came out to trash talk the Dead Man.
He called him a old bag of bones and a shell of his former self, insisting most of his 30 year career was spent kissing the backside of the McMahon family to keep his spot.
Corbin called the Phenom a selfish S.O.B., but he was eventually interrupted by Jeff Hardy, who sent him running and had something to say.
He praised Undertaker as a mentor and teacher, and insisting the Mount Rushmore of WWE should just be Taker’s face four times.
This all set up our main event for the night, which was a typically fun affair from Corbin and Hardy – both of whom can have a decent match in their sleep.
In the end, Jeff picked up the feel good win, but Corbin attacked after the bell, only to be foiled by Kofi Kingston, BIg E, Braun Strowman and Matt Riddle.
Best of the rest
Given only the second hour featured any new content, we were a bit thin on the ground – but at least there was in-ring action and some great storytelling.
Of particular note was Braun Strowman’s promo, as he came down to share a creepy tale about Bray Wyatt talking to – and being bitten by – a snake in his swamp during the Wyatt Family days.
It led to the Universal Champion calling on his former mentor to meet him in the swamp – so that looks like our cinematic match for Extreme Rules.
Elsewhere, there was a Number One Contender’s match to crown Bayley’s next challenger, with teammates Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in a Fatal Four Way with Dana Brooke and Lacey Evans.
It was a nice tough that Bliss and Cross realised it was every woman for herself without totally falling apart, and it was even better to see the latter pick up the win here.
Of course, she’ll likely fall to Bayley when the face off at Extreme Rules: The Horror Show, but there we go!
We also had an eight man tag match to enjoy, as The New Day teamed up with Lucha House Party in a winning efforts against the tandems of Miz & Morrison, and Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura.
It was what you’d expect, but still a lot of fun and it was good to see LHP pick up a win.
Quickfire results
- Number One Contender’s Match for Women’s Title: Nikki Cross defeated Alexa Bliss, Dana Brooke and Lacey Evans
- The New Day and Lucha House Party defeated The Miz, John Morrison, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura
- Jeff Hardy pinned King Corbin
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