WWE SmackDown Live Full Results, Grades and Highlights for September 5, 2017

Shinsuke Nakamura
Source: WWE

INTRO: We revisit Shinsuke Nakamura beating Rusev with the Kinshasa last week. This victory was followed by Orton dropping his erstwhile tag team partner with an RKO. A voice-over promised that “two of the biggest superstars in WWE” would collide tonight. The winner faces WWE Champion Jinder Mahal at Hell in a Cell.

OPENING SEGMENT: Tom Phillips said that JBL has stepped away from the SmackDown commentary table to focus attention on his work to help at-risk youth. He introduced Corey Graves, who immediately made his first veiled dig at Byron Saxton. Phillips promoted tonight’s main event of Nakamura vs. Orton.

We go to Orton backstage in a large darkened room. He said he’s watched more stars crash and burn than he could count. Orton questioned whether Nakamura would rise or follow. He claimed he taught Shinsuke a lesson last week, and that no one would stand in his way as he takes the title from Mahal.

We then see a silhouette warming up with strikes backstage. The camera revealed Nakamura. Shinsuke said he respected Orton, who knew how to inflict pain. But Nakamura is chasing his destiny: the WWE title. And the pain he will inflict on Orton will be felt everywhere. These promos gave the perception that tonight’s main event was important. Orton’s dark surroundings lent a sinister feel to his words, while Nakamura’s promo explained what he wanted and what he’d do to get it.

In the ring, Carmella hopped up and down with her Money in the Bank briefcase. Ellsworth asked fans to give it up, but was interrupted by Kevin Owens’ music. KO walked into the ring and informed everyone that he was the special guest referee for this match. He ordered the referee to take his shirt over and hand it over. The ref refused, and was saved by SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon. Shane entered the ring and informed Owens he would not be officiating any match tonight. He told Owens that he’d been patient, but KO had been defiant. The crowd reacted to something that wasn’t visible on camera, which led to an uncomfortable pause.

Restarting things, Shane said Owens needed to stop blaming him for his losses. He recounted Owens’ misfortunes over the past month. Owens said that Baron Corbin left his U.S. title match in August because Shane pulled him out of the ring. McMahon interfered that night just like he did at SummerSlam. KO said Shane didn’t want him on SmackDown, and, if it was up to Owens, he’d still be on Raw. McMahon asked if Owens wanted to be on Raw because Triple H singlehandedly gave him the Universal championship last year. Shane said that all talent must earn their success on SmackDown. And, if Owens isn’t successful, he should blame himself.

Owens said everything on SmackDown has something to do with Shane McMahon. He asked Shane why he’s like this, why he needed the spotlight. Then he questioned whether it was because his daddy didn’t give him enough attention as a kid. Owens wanted to know if that’s why Shane paraded his children around during his appearances. McMahon stepped up to Owens, pointed a finger, and calmly told him not to mention his kids again. Owens kept going, wondering if Shane jumped off the cell at WrestleMania 32 to impress his dad. Then he brought up Shane’s helicopter crash again, and said that Shane’s entire family would have been better off if he hadn’t survived that crash. Too far. Boos from a crowd that legitimately didn’t like that line. Owens then proceeded to name the people who would be better off if Shane had died. “Your dad. Your wife. And, especially, your kids.”

McMahon hit his breaking point, battering Owens with punches. Owens rolled out of the ring and Shane followed, tackling Owens over the announce table and nailing him with punches. He pushed away backstage agents and went back to lambasting a prone Owens. Finally, Daniel Bryan stepped in and persuaded Shane to lay off. A “Yes” chant transitioned into a “Shane-o-Mac” chant from the crowd. McMahon appeared conflicted about going back to thrash Owens some more as we go to our first break.

We go to a replay of the “very explosive” exchange between Owens and McMahon. Saxton said that every man has a point where he snaps, and that’s what we saw from Shane. Backstage, referees helped Owens to walk. He eventually collapsed, holding his ribs in significant pain. Bryan came up to him and apologized. No matter how he was provoked, Bryan said, Shane was completely out-of-line and should never have put his hands on Owens. Down to one knee and leaning his elbow on a large black case to steel himself, Owens said McMahon couldn’t help himself. He told Bryan to enjoy his job while he had it, because KO was “literally” going to turn SmackDown into the Kevin Owens Show.

Owens said he would sue Shane, WWE, and every member of the McMahon family. He vowed to take down this show and WWE. That seems strong on a show where fighting is the norm and McMahon merely hit Owens with a tackle and punches. Bryan said there must be another way to handle this situation. Owens conceded he was right. He told Bryan he’d press criminal charges against McMahon. Owens rested in a folding chair and held his neck in discomfort as Bryan walked away.

At ringside, Graves said that Owens provoked this attack. Saxton called Owens’ words “despicable.” And there’s Carmella’s music. She’s still hopping in the ring as we go back to her match against Natalya. We see a replay of Natalya and Carmella teaming up two weeks ago. Carmella refused to tag into the match in hopes that Natalya would get pummeled so badly that Carmella could cash in her Money in the Bank contract. Saxton promoted Natalya’s title rematch against Naomi, which would take place on next week’s SmackDown.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Natalya vs. Carmella (non-title match)

An immediate lockup and headlock from Natalya as the bell rang. Natalya hit a shoulder-tackle, but missed a clothesline, allowing Carmella to execute her spinning leg-scissors takedown. Carmella brought Natalya down with a mare and a dropkick. Natalya kicked out of a pin attempt, then rose to slap Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island returned the favor, then was decked by a discus clothesline. Carmella scurried outside the ring to the safe haven of Ellsworth.

Back from break, Carmella hooked Natalya into a rear body scissors. Natalya turned around and bashed Carmella with forearms. Carmella refused to break the hold, to which she incorporated a guillotine. We see Naomi watching studiously from the backstage area. Natalya showed off her power by lifting and body-slamming Carmella to break the hold. Moving slowly, Natalya got to her feet and went to the Sharpshooter. When Carmella tried to kick away from her, Natalya turned the move into a slingshot, causing Carmella to hit the top turnbuckle face first. But Carmella elbowed Natalya as she charged the corner, then connected on a thrust kick for a two-count.

Unbidden, Ellsworth climbed onto the ring apron and accidentally dropped the briefcase into the ring. A flustered Carmella demanded to know what he was doing. She strongly declined the referee’s inquiry as to whether she wanted to make this match a championship bout, grabbing the briefcase and giving it back to Ellsworth. As Carmella yelled at him, Natalya school-boyed her for the win. Saxton said that Ellsworth just cost his cohort the match.

Result: Natalya pinned Carmella with a school-boy pinning combination.

Grade: B-

Following the match, Ellsworth pled his case in the ring. Carmella told Ellsworth he doesn’t need to tell her he’s sorry. She knows he’s sorry. He’s the “sorriest excuse for a human being I have ever met.” Big cheer for that insult. Carmella then yelled that Ellsworth isn’t even human, then repeated her previous line about him being a poor excuse for a human being. She claimed she doesn’t need a “genetic defect” like Ellsworth to succeed. Carmella asked how Ellsworth even worked here. That’s a question she should answer; we only see Ellsworth when he’s accompanying her, so it’s logical to assume she’s paying him. Carmella called Ellsworth a charity case, and said his mother should have given him away at birth. What’s with the nasty insults about family tonight? I feel like we’re going to play the Dozens at some point in hour two tonight.

Carmella told Ellsworth he’s lucky to be in her presence. But he stuck that pathetic lump where his chin is supposed to be in her business for the last time. Carmellsworth is through! The crowd applauded her severing of their business relationship. Ellsworth looked dismayed in the ring.

From one recipient of brutal insults to another, we go to Shane McMahon looking stressed backstage. Shane doesn’t say anything; we just get the announcers talking over the video. Then we see a screen touting the “re-debut” of Dolph Ziggler coming up next.

The announce team told us that their live arenas would be decked out in gold to mark Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Stephanie McMahon emceed an event at which children dressed up as wrestlers and got to make their own entrances. This is adorable. Saxton said that viewers could find out how they could get involved at ConnortheCrusher.com.

Ziggler’s usual music hit and Dolph scampered out in his usual tights. Saxton admitted he didn’t see much difference. Ziggler grabbed a microphone on the entrance ramp. He told the WWE universe that it had no appreciation for what he could do in the ring. Ziggler claimed to be the greatest performer in WWE history, but the fans didn’t care. They didn’t want him, they just wanted some dumb gimmick. He tossed away the mic, then walked backstage. John Cena’s music blared with Ziggler’s visuals. Dolph ran out in a Cena ballcap, which he whipped into the crowd. He excitedly showed off a white DZ towel, which he exhorted viewers to buy, then yelled “we’re talkin’ SmackDown Live, baby!” into the camera. This sucks.

Ziggler started to run dopily to the ring, then caught himself. He looked wearily at the crowd as the music was muted. He asked the crowd if they saw through his act. Ziggler said the crowd loved nostalgia, so he strode back behind the curtain again. We get an unfamiliar rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance”, and Ziggler strutted out in a red robe with a lady in white. He spinned while waving a finger in the air. He stopped again, gave his robe to the woman, and told her to leave. Ziggler told the crowd he’d give them what they deserved. All the lights go out.

Mach 3 – and that’s Naomi’s music. Ziggler sprinted out in a neon-green headdress and glowing robe. He did the slide on the entrance ramp, then stopped acting again. He asked a question that he’s doubtlessly pondering himself:

Dolph Ziggler: “So this is what it’s come to, huh?”

Ziggler asked the crowd if they wanted lasers, dumbass hand gestures, and dancing like a idiot. He said that no one could do what he does in the ring. But the crowd couldn’t care less, Ziggler said, and he doesn’t give a damn about them either. He told the crowd they made him sick, then left. To presumably contemplate a career move to stand-up comedy or political punditry.

Graves cleverly said that the last segment was disappointing, but the main event would not be. He plugged Nakamura vs. Orton later tonight. We’re also getting Sami Zayn vs. Aiden English next. Frat pledges have endured less torture than Zayn in this series of bouts.

English stood mid-ring after the commercial. He only uttered his Maestro of Mayhem lyric before Zayn’s music cut him off.

Sami Zayn vs. Aiden English

Phillips reiterated that their match from last week was stricken from the record books by Shane McMahon. Zayn hit English with right hands to start. He jumped over English with a springboard reverse frogsplash, then sent his opponent tumbling with a flying headscissors. Sami got backdropped over the top rope, but landed on the apron. He shoulder-blocked and flipped over English to reenter the ring, then ran over English with a running clothesline. English managed to reverse Zayn’s Irish whip into the turnbuckle, but ran into a boot as he tried to follow up. Sami miscalculated on a top-rope cross-body-block, though, and English dodged as the Underdog crashed to the mat. The Shakespeare of Song executed an Oklahoma Roll for the program’s most nondescript finish. That horrible English theme song infected the arena as Graves chastised Zayn for impeding true art.

Result: Aiden English pinned Sami Zayn with an Oklahoma Roll.

Grade: C-

English silenced his atrocious music, then gave us his grand finale. The lyrics were, “The greatest thing you’ve ever seeeeeen, right here in, oohh, … don’t please, don’t, don’t, stop, no, no no no!” Those vocals may have been influenced by a ticked-off Zayn pursuing English to the back. If Sami knows what he did to deserve this treatment, he better make amends.

Another replay of Owens telling Shane McMahon that his kids would have benefitted from his death. Owens appeared to be severely beaten from some punches thrown by a middle-aged non-wrestler. Bryan was shown worriedly watching a backstage monitor. Some peppy trombone music broke the morose atmosphere as The New Day entered. Kofi Kingston gave Bryan some WWE championship belt boxers. Then The Usos entered the scene. Bryan said it is time for the champions to announce the stipulation for their upcoming title rematch. The Usos said there would be a Sin City Streetfight. Seriously? They could’ve picked any stipulation (like banning a member of New Day from ringside, or having New Day fired from SmackDown if they lost), and they went with a streetfight. Big E said it looked like they were the dealers, and the Usos were about to bust. Kingston, Xavier Woods, and even Bryan shied away from that corny putdown.

Bryan then looked to his phone, and told New Day he had to take a call. He answered and asked, “Yes, sir, how can I help you?” He asked the person on the other end of the call if they wanted him to take a requested action in the ring. Bryan countered that there had to be another way to handle this scenario, which apparently applied to Shane. He then acquiesced to doing whatever he was asked right now. Well, at least after this next commercial.

Bryan entered the ring with no music. He summoned Shane to the ring, and told him he needed to talk to him if he was still in the building. Bryan should’ve determined Shane’s whereabouts before he went on live television. How did he not even know if McMahon was still in the building? Well, given that Shane jetted off before the show ended last week, maybe it’s worth finding out. McMahon walked out unaccompanied by music. Bryan asked what he was thinking when he assaulted Owens. McMahon said things got out of control. Bryan recalled Miz’s infamous tirade against him last year on Talking Smack shortly after he retired. Miz kept pushing it every week, but Bryan refrained from head-butting his foe in the face. But he didn’t, because he wanted to do what was best for the company. Actually, Bryan fighting the Miz would’ve been best for the company, but that’s likely never to happen in WWE.

He told McMahon he cannot assault their employees or the superstars. McMahon said Bryan is right, and he takes full responsibility for his actions. But when someone talks about his family like that, he goes into a blind rage. And when they cross that line, there’s no coming back. Shane reminded Bryan that he is a father now, and asked him to imagine that the shoe was on the other foot. Bryan told Shane not to throw that in his face. He asked Shane if he knew what legal problems WWE is facing now. Owens was going to sue McMahon’s family, and Shane’s actions would affect people in the back.

McMahon said he would talk to Owens and smooth things over. Bryan said it was too late for that. The phone call he received backstage was from one Vincent Kennedy McMahon. Effective immediately, per the chairman of the board and the CEO of WWE, Shane McMahon is indefinitely suspended. Bryan did soften the blow with his soothingly bro-ey declaration of “I’m sorry, man”, which is similar to how I imagine such employee discipline would be meted out at Birdhouse Skateboards. He left the ring. McMahon absorbed the news, then slowly walked out of the arena to a big “Thank you, Shane” chant.

Renee Young recapped the news that Shane was indefinitely suspended as commissioner. She welcomed Mahal and the Singh Brothers, then asked Jinder who he’d rather face out of Nakamura and Orton. Jinder said it really doesn’t matter, which is pretty accurate from a fan’s standpoint. He bragged about beating Orton multiple times and vanquishing Nakamura. He said there is a reason the New York Times is writing about him. Mahal stated that he represented Asia much better than Nakamura ever could. For over 100 days, Mahal said, he has proven that he’s the greatest WWE champion of all time. He’d be watching tonight’s main event closely. And, whoever the better man turned out to be, he would fall to the Modern Day Maharaja. Mahal then spoke to his people in his language and left.

Back at ringside, U.S. Champion AJ Styles is here to save the show. No, wait, he’s just doing commentary tonight. Ugh. Styles promoted the Connor’s Cure efforts, informing viewers that his black-and-gold elbow pad would be up for auction tonight to raise money. Chanting monks and a flaming wolf visual bring us the beleaguered Baron Corbin. Zayn may be losing to English every week, but at least he’s not getting dogged like the Lone Wolf. We get video of Styles beating Tye Dillinger last week, then Corbin attacking Tye after the match. Styles commented on running off Corbin after that assault, calling him a cheap-shot artist.

Tye Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin

Corbin rolled out of the ring to stare down Styles. Dillinger took advantage by diving through the ropes at Corbin. He hit him with left hands, then drove Corbin into the barricade. Dillinger angrily stomped away at Corbin. Dillinger grabbed the leg of Corbin, who kicked him away and dove into the ring. Tye pursued him, ducking a clothesline before rocking Corbin with his own clothesline over the top rope. Dillinger continued to show more fire than we’re using to seeing from him as we go to break.

We return to find Corbin grounding Dillinger, then shoving him into the turnbuckles. Corbin ran at Dillinger, avoided a kick by dipping out of the ring and around the post, then reemerging to floor Tye with a clothesline for a two count. Corbin trash-talked Styles some more, giving Dillinger time to recover and hit a jawbreaker. Dillinger eluded Corbin’s blow, then landed his own running forearm and a stomp to the face. Tye hit his “Ten” kicks in the corner as the audience counted along. Dillinger took down his right kneepad in anticipation of hitting the Tyebreaker. He powered Corbin up, but Baron slipped out and booted Dillinger out of the ring. Corbin followed him and hurled Dillinger into the barricade. He brought Dillinger back into the ring … then turned his attention to Styles again. He lifted Dillinger by the throat while keeping his eyes on Styles. But Dillinger countered the choke-slam backbreaker into a victory roll pinning combination for a near fall.

Dillinger avoided another Corbin attack in the corner. Corbin struck the top turnbuckle, then was pelted by “Ten” punches thrown by a mounted Dillinger. Tye dismounted the middle rope and put a hand to his hurt back. The referee tried to intervene, allowing Corbin to throw an illicit right hand to Dillinger’s throat. This move prompted an indignant Styles to yell, “Cheap shot! Cheap shot!” in an amusing manner. Corbin then hot-shotted Dillinger on top of the ring post, which is almost big enough to stand on these days. Styles kept complaining about the “cheap shot” as Tye hung up on the top rope. Corbin smiled at AJ, who called him a “cheap shot artist.” He planted Dillinger with End of Days for the win. Graves said that Corbin got into the mind of Styles tonight.

Result: Baron Corbin pinned Tye Dillinger with the End of Days.

Grade: B

The face-off screen for the main event showed video of Orton RKO’ing Nakamura last week. That’s an intriguing addition to their usual graphic. Saxton said we’d take a special look at the Glorious Arrival of Smiling Bobby Roode next.

Dillinger walked backstage with his left hand guarding his throat, still recovering from Corbin’s “Cheap shot!” Styles approached him, telling him he fought the good fight. He referenced Corbin’s “Cheap shot!”, and again labeled him a “Cheap shot artist.” It may be funny, but constantly referring to Corbin in this way makes him seem more villainous and conniving, and augments Styles as the purer competitor who can rely on his peerless skills (instead of cheating) to win matches. AJ challenged Tye to a U.S. title match next week. Dillinger concurred with a “Phenomenal.” Styles told Dillinger that he’d see him in Sin City.

As they started to introduce Roode, Graves warned Saxton to step aside, as he’d been on the bandwagon for a long time. He introduced a Roode highlight package with a “Glorious” exclamation. We see highlights and commentary clips from the post-SummerSlam SmackDowns. Clips are shown from Roode’s NXT tenure. He said he’d take SmackDown Live to the next level because everyone knows that Bobby Roode is simply glorious.

We go to Ellsworth shuffling disconsolately backstage, holding his head in despair. He happened upon Carmella and begged her forgiveness. He acknowledged that he was a freak, subhuman, and probably belonged in a zoo. But he promised to do anything Carmella wanted if she’d take him back. Carmella considered his proposal, and said they’d be doing things her way from now on. Then she planted a big kiss on him. Then she slapped him. Ellsworth held his jaw as she walked away. That’s the first romantic involvement they’ve had as a pair that I can recall, and it just made things more confusing. Saxton asked, “What in the world just happened?” Please just get to the main event.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Randy Orton

Mahal and the Singhs are watching this match from a skybox. Saxton passed on a “conversation” he’d “had” with Nakamura, who told him that he knew how Orton’s best shot felt, but the Viper had no idea how Nakamura’s best shot felt. Both men size each other up to start. The crowd seems undecided on whom to support, as heavily male alternating chants commence. Nakamura cartwheeled out of a top-wristlock and countered into a hammerlock. Nakamura snapmared Orton, whiffed on a roundhouse kick, then avoided an RKO. Shinsuke smiled as the crowd cheered. Both men tied up against the ropes. Nakamura stuck his head into Orton’s gut and waved his arms at his sides. Orton responded by pushing him through the ropes onto the ring apron. Nakamura slipped out of the DDT and bailed to ringside. Graves said that Nakamura may need to show Orton more respect as we go to our final break.

We return to find Orton reverse-chinlocking Nakamura, who fought out of it to catch a shot in the face. Orton lifted Nakamura in a suplex and dropped him across the top rope. This move got a two count, and Orton reapplied the reverse-chinlock. Phillips commented on Orton’s “devilish smile.” Nakamura created separation from Orton with several strikes, the last of which knocked Orton from the ring. He caught Nakamura trying to grab him through the ropes, and threatened to hit his elevated DDT on the concrete. Nakamura shoved him into the announce table to counter the move. But Orton booted Nakamura, then lifted him in a back-suplex position and dropped him spine first on the table. Nakamura writhed in pain as Orton brought him back into the ring for another two count.

Orton reapplied the chinlock. Shinsuke again broke the hold, then connected on a wheel kick. Both men are slow to get up. Nakamura nailed Orton with a running boot, then threw kicks at Orton while the Viper was on his knees. Orton caught Nakamura’s left leg on the last kick, so Nakamura jumped up to hit him with his right boot. Shinsuke scored with a running knee to Orton as Randy was draped over the top rope. Frustrated by only getting a two count, Nakamura went for a reverse exploder (yeah, right). Orton elbowed his way out of it, then snatched Nakamura around the neck for his trademark backbreaker. Nakamura rolled to the apron. As Orton went to grab him for the elevated DDT, Nakamura kicked him in the ear.

Nakamura ascended the top rope, but had his legs knocked out from under him. The crowd chants are pretty even right now and more animated than earlier. Orton executed a big superplex for a near fall. Nakamura got to his knees, leaned back on them, and beckoned Orton to bring it. Orton approached to kick Nakamura, who grabbed his leg and swung Orton onto his face. Nakamura repeatedly drove his left knee into Orton’s skull as he got to all fours. Nakamura stumbled hurt to the turnbuckle. He charged at Orton, who caught him with a powerslam for a near fall. Sioux Falls fans are heavily into this match now. Orton maneuvered Nakamura onto the ring apron and landed the rope-aided elevated DDT. Orton pounded his fists on the mat. He attempted the RKO, but Nakamura leapt with him and brought him down in a cross-armbreaker. Orton clinched his hands to counter the pressure. Unable to extend Orton’s elbow, Nakamura transitioned into a triangle.

Finding himself in the middle of the ring, Orton deadlifted Nakamura’s weight and powerbombed him. We get a “Randy” chant from the crowd. Orton went for the RKO again, which Nakamura countered by delivering a painful-looking one-knee backstabber. Nakamura grandly gestured for the Kinshasa and hit it for the win. With both superstars lying on their backs, we see Orton turn his head and share words with Nakamura following the finish before both men return to grimacing in pain.

Result: Shinsuke Nakamura pinned Randy Orton after hitting the Kinshasa.

Grade: A-

After the match, Nakamura sat up against the bottom rope with his left hand covering his mouth. Graves said he is ready for war after this battle. Mahal received encouragement from the Singhs. The announce team ran through the lineup for next week’s SmackDown, which they’ve promoted heavily for its three title matches.

We leave the ring to witness Kevin Owens walking the backstage halls. Bryan hurried up to him, telling that Shane’s suspension marked the end of tonight’s ordeal. Owens informed Bryan that, “We’re just getting started, buddy.” He claimed that he’d transform SmackDown into his own personal playground next week, turning it into Bryan’s personal nightmare. And, legally, there’s nothing that anyone can do about it. Bryan said there is someone coming to address the situation. Next week, Vince McMahon would appear on the broadcast.

HIGH SPOTS

A Main Event that Mattered
This match started slowly and built superbly. Both men mixed their routine big moves with innovative counters. This is a big win for Nakamura because it evidenced WWE’s faith in his abilities. They could’ve just booked a SummerSlam rematch with Mahal based on the Singhs’ interference; giving Shinsuke a clean win over Orton on live television demonstrated that they value him as a main-event performer.

“I’m a Broadcast Journalist” – Bobby Heenan
Good on Byron Saxton for throwing in these “one-on-one conversation” tidbits. Color commentators in the Big Four sports mention relevant information that they glean from interviews with players and coaches. Saxton recounting such discussions adds a wrinkle to SmackDown matches, and made the competition seem more legitimate.

 

LOW BLOWS

Owens’ Death Wish
Someone should have cut the scripted language in which Kevin Owens told Shane McMahon that his family would be better off if Shane was killed in a helicopter crash. Even if McMahon’s family runs the company, that verbiage crossed a line. This is the type of thinking that gave us Orton spewing garbage about Eddie Guerrero being in hell. And it takes away leverage from any other performer who doesn’t want their kids being dragged into a storyline when WWE executives can point out that the McMahons themselves did it.

Ziggler Gets Desperate
This segment felt like WWE creative dumping all of Ziggler’s past failures on his head. Because he couldn’t make a connection with fans, he was forced to play dress-up with other performers’ gear and gimmicks. Perhaps Vince McMahon approved this storyline to shove Dolph’s nose in his inability to get over like the people he was ripping off.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nakamura vs. Orton delivered strongly. But this episode’s big storyline seemed unbelievable in a WWE storyline by virtue of its actual believability. Shane McMahon faced repercussions for actions that would be felonious in a normal workplace, but never warrant any punishment in the WWE world. We’ve seen mock crucifixions, attempted vehicular homicide, and that time Undertaker and Paul Bearer tried to embalm Stone Cold Steve Austin. So why is Shane throwing punches at Kevin Owens in a quickly scuttled brawl now a matter of legal life and death? McMahon’s attack should have been far more serious and damaging if they wanted to go this route. If the current line of booking continues, we’ll see referees reprimanded every week for missing outside interference, as well as wrestlers immediately terminated for attacking adversaries outside of sanctioned bouts. Staying on the negative side of the coin, Ziggler will almost certainly be damaged by a gimmick defined by his incessant whining over no one caring about him. This storyline comes off as disrespectful to more-successful performers who worked hard to perfect their characters and presentation.

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