WWE SmackDown Live! Full Results, Grades and Highlights for September 19, 2017

Aj Styles Baron Corbin

INTRO: We get replays of Shane McMahon pummeling Kevin Owens two weeks ago. Owens threatened to sue all of WWE, then came face-to-face with the Chairman last week. Vince McMahon made a Hell in a Cell match between Shane and Owens. KO agreed and asked if he could “beat a McMahon senseless” if provoked. Vince agreed to those terms. Then came the headbutt heard ‘round the world. Owens laid out McMahon before squashing him with a frogsplash. We see a close-up of Vince’s bloody forehead and Owens soberly coming to terms with his actions.

OPENING SEGMENT: Tom Phillips welcomed us to SmackDown and Shane McMahon walked out. No dancing or giddiness from Shane, who looked chastened. Byron Saxton said that Vince was released from a medical facility last week with three fractured ribs. Let’s see Shane sell this match.

Shane said we all just witnessed what he considered a cowardly act by Kevin Owens “as he beat my father down in the middle of this ring.” He said that “my old man is one tough, salty SOB.” Shane acknowledged that he and Vince hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye, but they’re still family, and he loved his father. He asked Owens to imagine sitting with his children, as Shane did last week, and watching someone he loved get hurt. He said his children witnessed their grandfather getting beaten down in the ring. And, when someone hurts their family, the McMahons will “strike out with massive vengeance.”

Owens hasn’t showed up yet tonight, Shane said. He told KO that he beat down the patriarch of his family. Therefore, Shane condemned Owens to the following:

– A ruthless beating at his own hands.

– A life of pain and suffering.

– “Hell in the Cell.”

Phillips declared that Owens would feel the wrath of the McMahon family. Saxton said we’d see a side of Shane that we’ve never seen before in Hell in a Cell. Corey Graves plugged the AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin match for the U.S. championship. Randy Orton was shown walking purposefully backstage; Phillips said he’d be in action next.

The ring announcer requested that the audience welcome “the melodious, operatic voice” of Aiden English. They mostly booed. Sporting a scarf and sunglasses, English sang, “He hears voices in his head/which is surprising, because it’s filled with lead. He is a fool / he is a tool …” Orton cut off English before we got to the chorus. Graves said English’s career would take off if he can beat Orton.

 

Randy Orton vs. Aiden English

English tossed his jacket at Orton and assaulted him as the bell rang. He kicked him down in the corner, then stomped him down against the adjacent turnbuckle. English whipped Orton across the ring, and the Viper responded with a clothesline. Orton hit English again, then powerslammed his opponent. English avoided the rope-drape DDT by dipping to ringside, where Orton followed him and dropped him spine-first across the barricade. Orton attempted to execute that maneuver on the announcer’s table, but English backflipped out and gave Orton the same move. Orton writhed on the arena floor as we go to commercial.

We return to find English bellowing out a mid-range note while wrangling Orton into a reverse chinlock. Orton fought up and broke the hold. He punched English in the face, then stomped his right foot twice. English halted the barrage of strikes by eye-gouging Orton and hitting him with a dropkick for a two-count. He kept up the pressure by ramming knees into Orton’s back, then wrapping him up in a reverse chinlock again. This time, he halted Orton’s counter with a knee, and threw him into the turnbuckle. Orton side-stepped an English charge, but met a boot to the face when he tried to press the advantage. English went to the second rope and leapt off … directly into a RKO. Orton took his time moving into the pinfall, hooking both legs for the three-count.

Result: Randy Orton pinned English with the RKO.

Grade: B-

Orton mounted the second rope to celebrate, and Rusev’s music hit. The Bulgarian Brute walked onto the entrance ramp. He said he was going to be a national hero in his homeland going into SummerSlam. But, in just 10 seconds, Orton turned his family into a national disgrace. So, tonight, Rusev would rip the fangs out of the Viper’s mouth. He walked toward the ring. Orton apparently agreed to the match, as the referee rang the bell.

 

Randy Orton vs. Rusev

Orton caught Rusev’s boot and immediately went for the RKO. Rusev shoved him off into English, who was standing on the ring apron. Orton turned around directly into a thrust kick, and it’s over in just about 10 seconds.

Result: Rusev pinned Randy Orton with a thrust kick.

Grade: D-

Graves averred that Rusev just righted the wrongs as far as the people of Bulgaria are concerned. He claimed that Rusev is a national hero again. Rusev celebrated outside the ring with a deliriously happy expression on his face.

Phillips said that Owens would respond to McMahon tonight via satellite. He said that Ric Flair made a miraculous recovery from his health issues, and his daughter Charlotte would return tonight to thank everyone for supporting her father. WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and the Singhs strolled confidently backstage. They would come out next to address Mahal’s “incendiary” remarks about Shinsuke Nakamura last week.

Rusev walked on air backstage, repeatedly yelling, “I got ’em!” Renee Young told him he seemed elated. Rusev responded, “What does that mean?” He said he’s excited because he just beat the Viper. “I pull his little teeth. I drain his little poison.” Now, Rusev would return home as a conquering hero. He started chanting, “Rusev Number One!” as the crowd joined him. Quality face promo.

The Singh Brothers introduced Mahal on the entrance ramp. Good rolling of the “rrrrr” in “Maharaja” by Samir this week. Graves wondered if Jinder would lend him the Singh Brothers once in a while, pondering how great it would be to enter to that introduction in a restaurant. Standing on his rug mid-ring, Mahal grinned at the fans, some of whom applauded him. He said that some people were in an “absolute uproar” over his words from last week. Mahal said Nakamura wasn’t happy either, “but at least his face is still full of delight.” He pointed to the Titantron, which featured an image of Nakamura apparently imitating Gilbert Gottfried. Mahal said they’d now show Nakamura’s angry face; they showed the same picture.

Mahal said he believed half the audience was jingoistic enough to believe “that the fine people of Japan feast on feline and dine on dolphin.” The Singhs stagger around the ring like they just finished a pub crawl. He said that the fans’ prejudice is all Shinsuke has to look forward to, and they’d turn on him too. Jinder then showed Nakamura’s artistic face; same photo for the third time. Samir is now sideways on the mat laughing. We see Nakamura’s defeated face, and it’s the same photo again. This joke is getting beaten into the ground. Mahal announced, “Shinsuke: you always rook the same.” The audience doesn’t like that, but I’m guessing one person backstage thought it was funny.

The crowd started up a “Nakamura” chant. Mahal said that the fans cheer for him to hide their own xenophobia. He told Shinsuke that they weren’t worth it. Mahal said the fans were whispering that he got his hair cut by a dog groomer; Sunil really liked that horrid joke. They said he looked like Mr. Miyagi; the Singhs perform crane kicks. Then the crowd started loudly chanting, “That’s too far”. This just got more interesting. Jinder responded, “If you think THAT’s too far, wait til you hear what I say in MY language of Punjabi.” Excellent retort. He spoke Punjabi as the Singhs bark out at the crowd. Mahal raised the championship belt and roared as the Singhs played hype men. Graves agreed that Mahal’s words went way too far.

Young stood backstage with Nakamura. Ask him why didn’t he come out and kick Mahal’s ass in the ring? Instead, she asked him for his reaction to Jinder’s words. Shinsuke grinned and said he’s very funny. But he wouldn’t be so funny at Hell in a Cell, when Nakamura would win the WWE championship. Shinsuke walked off to cheers. He seemed cool and collected while giving the sense that Mahal’s disrespect was going to cost him.

A replay aired of Styles tapping out Tye Dillinger to the Calf Crusher last week. Corbin then whipped AJ over the barricade outside the ring, and gave him the End of Days on the concrete. Back in the ring, Styles warily eyed the replay footage. He grabbed a microphone and held for an “AJ Styles” chant. Styles addressed the Owens/McMahon melee from last week. He told Owens that he had no idea what he’d done. KO had beaten up the man responsible for Styles being in WWE. He beat up the man responsible for the WWE Universe being here tonight. So AJ is happy to hear about the McMahon vs. Owens Hell in a Cell match. He promised Owens that he wouldn’t make it out. This doesn’t feel like a promo that AJ should’ve given. Maybe give this to Sami Zayn or another babyface whose character would have necessitated making this show of support for Vince.

AJ transitioned to discussing “the Shortcut King, Baron Corbin.” Disappointed that he’s not yelling about cheap shots like usual. Styles said that Corbin probably took a shortcut to get here tonight. He took a shortcut to get the Money in the Bank contract, cashed it in, and failed. Corbin could’ve redeemed himself against John Cena at SummerSlam, but failed. Styles vowed to Corbin that, “When you step into the ring with the Phenomenal One, you will fail.” He said the Lone Wolf could huff and puff, but he would never blow down the house that AJ Styles built. Good turnaround on that promo after the sycophantic start.

Gregorian chanting! That’s either Corbin or some angry Franciscans. Graves said Styles views the U.S. championship from the vantage point of providing opportunity for others, while Corbin sees the title as nothing more than a trophy.

Corbin ambushed Styles during the in-ring wrestler introductions, clubbing him from behind and stomping away. He kicked at AJ in the corner as Phillips said the “Shortcut King” was living up to his name. That’s a nifty way to get a cheating heel booed. Corbin continued beating on Styles in the corner as Graves noted that the bell had not sounded. Tye Dillinger ran into the ring and clipped Corbin’s leg. He attacked a fallen Corbin with punches. Tye clotheslined Corbin to the outside. He punched away at Corbin, who clutched his lower left leg. Referees pulled Dillinger off Corbin as the Lone Wolf fled into the ring.

The official asked Corbin if he wanted to start the match; Corbin told him no and waved him off. Wuss. Baron tried to put weight on his left leg and fell. Styles hit a prone Corbin with a running forearm. He hooked on the Calf Crusher as Corbin tapped out. Graves said Corbin is paying for his sins right now. Corbin tumbled outside the ring and yelled in pain, clutching at his ankle. Graves said Dillinger screwed over Corbin.

Back from break, Young approached a limping Corbin with a mic backstage. He yelled at her, asking if she wanted to know how he felt. He said he felt “violated”, which drew some laughter from the crowd. Corbin blamed Dillinger for attacking him from behind and AJ for making it worse. He complained that he sprained his damn ankle. Corbin asked Renee if she wanted him to bitch and moan. “No chance!”, he shouted. I’m getting even.”

Charlotte Flair walked to the ring. It feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve heard that music. Phillips said it is so good to have the Queen back on SmackDown. Charlotte and Ric Flair’s co-authored book Second Nature is out today. Phillips touted a “miraculous recovery” for the Nature Boy.

Charlotte said it is good to be back. She thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers while her dad was sick. It had been an emotional six weeks, “life and death”, but her father is making a comeback. Charlotte said she had learned that life is fragile and unexpected, so you had to make your moments count. From here on out, she would make every moment as big as possible for her and her father. Natalya’s music screamed out her arrival. She walked with two staffers trailing her. Natalya said everyone is happy that Ric is doing better, but now it’s time to focus on something more important.

Inside the ring, Natalya said she is very proud to host WWE’s first-ever celebration of women. The staffers set up a cloaked tripod behind Natalya. She name-dropped Florence Nightingale, Oprah Winfrey, and the Mae Young Classic competitors as female heroes. She said it falls to women to break down barriers and nurture the next generation of competition. So we honor all women tonight by focusing on one woman. A women who completed the journey that, “quite frankly, Amelia Earhart could not.” She introduced a woman she’s so very proud of, then unveiled a portrait of herself holding up the SmackDown women’s championship. Classy.

Charlotte said this moment was truly inspiring and uplifting. She said she was glad that Natalya interrupted her, as she’s going to challenge her for the women’s championship. Becky Lynch entered the discussion. She apologized for interrupting the champion’s Ego Olympics, but Natalya is crazy, lady. Becky said Natalya is the craziest there is, the craziest there was, and, quite possibly, the craziest there ever will be. Lynch told Charlotte she had nothing but love for her family. But the championship is going nowhere except back to its rightful owner, Becky Lynch.

Naomi interrupted the proceedings, staking her own claim to a title rematch. She told Natalya that she didn’t represent any women, just her “stank cats.” Before Naomi could request a title match, Tamina’s music hit. I was wondering where she went. Walking out with her charge, Lana told Natalya not to listen to these disrespectful, pathetic villagers. Natalya thanked Lana for her respect. Lana corrected her, informing Natalya that she was a crazy cat lady, and needed to “shut tup.” She said that the Ravishing Revolution had started, and it is Tamina’s time.

Natalya bailed from the ring. She said this is about women; more specifically, “me representing women.” And she is not a crazy cat lady, she is Natalya, and she will be your SmackDown women’s champion forever. With a ring full of contenders, general manager Daniel Bryan intervened. Bryan quieted SmackDown’s “Gloria Steinem”. He apologized for her celebration going awry. Bryan made a fatal four-way match with Charlotte, Lynch, Naomi, and Tamina to determine a number-one contender. Tonight’s winner would face Natalya at Hell in a Cell. Natalya clutched her title to her like it was a frightened kitten.

Saxton said The New Day, fresh off their streetfight title victory over the Usos, would face the Hype Bros next.

The Usos sat at ringside to call this match. The former champions told Saxton they couldn’t wait to call him a former announcer. The New Day asked the crowd to clap for their world-famous four-time champs. Saxton told his colleagues to take out their umbrellas because it was raining positivity. Phillips coldly told him that didn’t make any sense. Everyone wearing a headset continued to trash Saxton. We see highlights of the tag team championship match from last week, including the Midnight Hour for the championship victory.

 

The New Day vs. The Hype Bros

Big E and Mojo Rawley tangled to start. E went for his abdominal stretch spanking hold, but Rawley reversed it. Bellowing, “He ain’t hyped!”, Mojo licked his hand and slapped E’s gut to the beat. Ticked off, Big E propelled himself off the ropes and floored Rawley with an elbow. Graves said Mojo looked like Slimer in his lime-green gear as we go to break.

Back in the ring, Zack Ryder hit Kofi Kingston with a running forearm in the corner, then whipped Kofi into Rawley for a football tackle. Phillips said the Usos invoked their championship rematch over social media today, and would vie for the tag team title at Hell in a Cell. So this feud will continue. Uce said they’d be playing hopscotch with the championship, but it is no game. Rawley rammed his shoulder into Kofi in the corner. He tried it with a running start and missed, slamming himself into the ringpost. Kingston and Rawley tagged their partners. Big E met Ryder with two overhead belly-to-belly-suplexes, then landed a regular belly-to-belly. He swiveled his hips, then went for the Ultimate Warrior running splash. Ryder got his knees up, stopping the big man’s momentum.

Back on his feet, Big E ran at Zack, who got his knees up to block his opponent. Ryder went to the second rope and nailed a dropkick. He pumped his fist in anticipation, then connected on a Broski Boot. Zach covered Big E while Kofi made the save. Mojo threw Kingston over the top rope to the apron, but missed wildly as he charged his opponent and Kofi pulled down the top rope. Back in the ring, Kingston ran and flew over the top rope. Moving one hand to the back of his head, he crashed back-first into Mojo on the floor. The Usos denied that Kofi did “the Marshawn Lynch” on that move. Our British readers will likely have to Google their NFL dance reference. Trying to follow up, Ryder attempted an O’Connor Roll, which Big E shrugged off. He picked up Ryder and the New Day struck the Midnight Hour for the win.

Result: The New Day beat the Hype Bros when Kofi Kingston pinned Zack Ryder after the Midnight Hour.

Grade: C+

The New Day taunted the Usos with the championship belts. The twins rose from their ringside seats to tell New Day they were taking back the title. Phillips promoted the McMahon vs. Owens match. We see another replay of Owens thrashing McMahon last week.

Phillips introduced Owens, who appeared “via satellite”. Owens wore a dress shirt, tie, and look of contrition. He said he first wanted to apologize. Owens said he didn’t know what came over him. He watched the footage over and over, and still can’t believe what he did. Owens apologized to the WWE Universe, WWE management, and the McMahon family. He also said, “with complete sincerity – Shane, you had it coming.” Owens blamed Shane-o-Mac for this mess, claiming that he made KO attack his father. Shane made Owens want to headbutt Vince’s skull off his shoulders, punch and kick him like a garbage bag, and crush his ribs. It was Shane who disrespected Owens first. “You made me want to obliterate your father because, in my mind, I was obliterating you.”

Owens claimed to have nothing but respect for Vince. And when he shook Vince’s hand, the father became the son, and KO was looking at Shane. Owens made another apology to anyone who dared to watch Hell in a Cell. Because what he did to Vince would be nothing compared to what he would do to Shane. Owens said that people like him don’t go to hell for what he is going to do to Shane; people like him go to heaven.

Backstage, the Hype Bros stood defeated and humbled. Rawley looked shell-shocked while Ryder hung his head. Mojo said he is getting sick and tired of losing. Something’s gotta give. He turned and told Ryder that, if they want things to change, they’d have to do something drastic. Ryder nodded his head.

Dolph Ziggler walked out with a mic. Ugh. He claimed to have spent the last few weeks exposing so-called superstars who couldn’t lace his boots. Ziggler said he is the greatest in-ring performer in WWE history, yet the fans still don’t get it. He walked behind the curtain. Even the announcers sound like they’re dreading what’s next. Triple’s H’s music hits with a “DZ” going up on the screen over a lime-green backing. Graves said there’s never a bad time to listen to Motorhead. Ziggler walked out in a leather jacket, clutching a water bottle. He spit the water out. Dolph asked if that was cool or fun. It wasn’t. He asked if he could run NXT now, and said spitting out the water is a lot harder than it looks. We’re getting a CM Punk chant now. Another snide remark from the announce team on how hard this is to watch.

Ziggler went back and reemerged to Shawn Michaels’ music. This required a cowboy hat, new t-shirt, and the heartbreak chaps. Dolph made a “losing my smile” joke. More CM Punk chants. Ziggler said he didn’t know how anyone could perform like that and expect to be taken seriously. But we can go lower. One more entrance here. Here’s the DX music and graphics. He ran out goofily with a DX shirt and glowsticks. Those graphics do look cool, nonetheless. Another CM Punk chant. Ziggler said he has two words for ya: who cares? Who cares about two dads acting like teenagers and begging you to laugh at their corny jokes? This may be pent-up anger from DX clowning the Spirit Squad back in the day.

Ziggler said all the fans care about are superficial, elaborate entrances. They don’t care about in-ring performances. He’s the best ever, and they couldn’t care less. So he doesn’t care about them. He tossed the mic and left. The crowd has been successfully cooled down.

Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Tamina

Graves said he believed that Lana is the x-factor in this match, as she lurked outside the ring. Tamina pounced on Charlotte to start the match, and we’re underway. The powerhouse slapped away Lynch and headbutted Naomi, establishing control. Tamina avalanche-splashed Charlotte against the turnbuckle. She then threw Lynch into Naomi on the apron, spilling both of them to the arena floor. Charlotte halted Tamina’s progress temporarily, only to meet a clothesline upon escaping the corner. Tamina suplexed the Queen as we go to our final break.

And she’s still standing tall when we return from commercial. Tamina picked up Charlotte, who slipped out and booted her. Charlotte delivered chops, then a chop block, to finally take Tamina down to one knee. Becky contributed with a kick, and Naomi leapt high for a leg drop. Naomi covered Tamina, and was quickly dragged off by Lynch and Flair. Charlotte struck Naomi, then tripped Lynch and went for the pin. The Lasskicker bridged up to her feet for a no-count, hit Charlotte with a spin-kick to the stomach, and Irish-whipped her into the turnbuckle. Becky Irish-whipped Naomi into Charlotte, who back-dropped her to the apron. When Lynch and Charlotte reengaged, Naomi hit them both with a springboard cross-body-block, getting a two-count on Lynch.

Naomi turned her attention to Flair. She landed kicks to Charlotte’s thighs, then hit her trademark high-stepping flurry of kicks. She ran off the ropes and executed a v-lock into a big sitdown jawbreaker for a two-count. Natalya watched the match backstage with a self-satisfied look. Naomi floated over Charlotte for a sunset flip, then locked her into the submission hold she’s used in recent months. Still no name for that move from the announcers. Lynch broke the hold and applied her own Dis-Arm-Her to Naomi. Tamina hit Becky with a double ax-handle, then side-slammed her. She charged at Lynch and missed, hitting the ringpost with her shoulder. WWE should really limit that overexposed sequence to once per episode.

Naomi tried to shake off her sore right arm, but Lynch hit her with the springboard kick in the corner. Becky then tossed Charlotte into Naomi and went for another springboard kick. Charlotte caught her leg and threw her friend back into Tamina, who clobbered her. The Queen then unleashed a spear on Tamina. Rising with a cry, Charlotte slung Naomi to the mat next to Tamina (who helpfully scooted over to be closer to Naomi). Charlotte ascended the turnbuckle and hit both opponents with a moonsault. Her move earned her a two-count on Naomi, then a one-count on Tamina.

Charlotte locked in a clumsy figure-four on Naomi. Lynch broke the hold with a top-rope leg drop onto Flair, but Tamina broke up the ensuing pinfall. Tamina powered up Lynch and planted her with a Samoan drop. She went up and flattened Becky with her top-rope splash finisher. Naomi broke up the pinfall by tumbling over Tamina. Lana grabbed Naomi’s left ankle and pulled her from the ring. Not having it, Naomi clocked her with a roundhouse kick. But Tamina refused to let her back into the ring, superkicking Naomi off the apron. Charlotte hit a running big boot on Tamina as she turned around, securing a shot at the women’s championship.

Result: Charlotte Flair pinned Tamina with a big boot to become the number-one contender to the SmackDown women’s championship.

Grade: B+

Phillips said the Harts and Flairs would tangle once more at Hell in a Cell. Flair threw her fist in celebration, then pointed to herself as if to tell Ric she did it for him.

 

HIGH SPOTS

Mahal promo (version 2)
Jinder’s insulting attack on Nakamura achieved the desired affect from an audience who let him know it went too far. This wasn’t a cool-guy series of insults like Triple H would’ve thrown 15 years ago. Instead, it sounded reminiscent of Don Muraco’s mic work in the 1980s, when he would mock a babyface of a different ethnicity to generate sympathy for his opponent. Mahal’s promo built support for Shinsuke sticking up for himself and kicking some ass in their upcoming title bout.

Corbin and Nattie heel up
Strong mic work by two heels that solidified their sleazy personas. Corbin complained that Dillinger attacked him while Corbin sneak-attacks everyone. He pledged that he wouldn’t bitch and moan about his lost championship opportunity after he just finished bitching and moaning. Corbin has defined himself as a big man who has all the tools, yet still needs to cheat to win. And Natalya was outstanding during the women’s division faceoff. She was convincing as a conceited blowhard who believed she is steadfastly right and just in the face of all contrary evidence. And that Amelia Earhart line was gold.

 

LOW BLOWS

Ziggler’s repeated entrances
This Low Blow will stay here as long as Dolph Ziggler makes other wrestlers’ ring entrances. Or until this bit becomes entertaining. His segments almost seem like they’re making fun of wrestling and its trappings at this point. The ring entrances are part of what fans pay to see at live shows, and Ziggler has his own style with his hip swivel and hand thrusts from his hair straight out to his sides.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Owens successfully channeled the heat from his attack on Vince back to Shane. He made it clear that he’s not trying to destroy the McMahon dynasty; KO just wanted to beat Shane beyond recognition. Fans can now look forward to Vince’s eventual return, and perhaps even Stephanie getting involved to stand up for her family’s honor. Charlotte felt fresh upon making her welcome return. She’s wrestled excellent matches against Natalya (particularly during their NXT Takeover encounter), and this feud could carry the women’s division through autumn. On the unwatchable side of the program, Ziggler’s entrances feel like WWE is trying to get Dolph to quit before the audience does. I’m ready to tap out. We may see next week who the unlucky soul is who gets tagged to be Ziggler’s first feud in this anti-entrance crusade (please not Sami Zayn).

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