SMACKDOWN LIVE SUPERTHREAD

Cotts72

Yup that was class. Decided to stay up for the spoiler free pop and experience it live. She's in phenomenal shape.

She's got an undeniable aura and has got the wrestling world well and truly "lit up" tonight

Pentecost

She looked incredible, hardly aged a day. Herself and Becky should be good to watch.

The Nal

Punk holding back the tears when the holy **** chant started.

Necro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123790107#Comment_123790107

Aj Lee and Paul Rudd appear to be completely age proof.

JP Liz V1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123790107#Comment_123790107

Yes looks same age , ageless

JP Liz V1

Cena’s spear was as bad as Jey Uso's 😆 but a tribute to Edge , like his Styles clash a tribute to AJ

Mitch Connor

Big pop for aj, but again becky was superb. Her facial expressions and reactions are soooo good.

The White Wolf

Great moment, but logically it should have been a Brawl. Just fists.

Apple Dumpling

10 years away and she still has more natural charisma and 99% of the roster.

CastorTroy

AJ getting the reaction Nikki thinks she hears every time she goes out.

Will she have a match before the mixed tag match? Who would be a good first opponent for her?

JP Liz V1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123792964#Comment_123792964

Roxanne or Chelsea

Mitch Connor

She won't have a match before becky imo, wouldn't make sense story wise, surely?

The Nal

When Punk said "Id never lay my hands on a lady …thankfully I have someone who will" was anyone else pissed off Austins music didnt hit?

The White Wolf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123799221#Comment_123799221

Top banter.

CastorTroy

I was wondering where Andrade is these days especially with Fenix showing up this week and with the build to and the ladder match. But then seems all but Wyatts and Profits have had their time cut. DIY are now on NXT for a bit and MCMG had a match against Fraxiom on Main Event recently.

Was also reminded recently about Nakamura but think that was him in the background of Sami and Melo?

PTH2009

Was last night a Bruce Pritchard production with Triple H off in Vegas

Ridley

The entirety of the opening promo should have been:

"I'm Ron Cena."

"Who?"

"TRUTHLESS AGGRESSION"

mic bounced off Lesnar's face

The Nal

One of the worst opening segments I've ever seen. Amazed Brock agreed to it.

CastorTroy

Seems it was unscripted so Brock probably just asked for Truth to come out to try and make him laugh.

Apple Dumpling

That is Road Dogg for you.

Apple Dumpling

Would Netflix be happy that Smackdown was just being a two hour promo for one of there streaming rivals.

ThePott

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123832924#Comment_123832924

In theory it doesn't matter.

Unless I'm mistaken, the ESPN streaming service is only available in America. Netflix doesn't show Smackdown in America.

So basically nobody who can watch Smackdown on Netflix (legally) should be able to access ESPN. So they're not direct competition when it comes to showing PPVs.

CastorTroy

I might have missed it but does anyone know how to get the ESPN app to watch Wrestlepalooza?

Whatever about the constant ads for the app, I think "Wrestlepalooza" was said more than any other PPVs get named before they air.

Found it strange during the Lesnar/Cena package that they had the number of things like F5s and knees to the ribs but not for the move the match was best known for - suplexes.

If I remember correctly, wasn't the FU created to to mock/counter the F5?

Was Nia just told to go out and say what she wanted? Was nearly as bad as Lesnar/Truth last week.

Expected having Mix on commentary was all a setup for him to cost Melo his match.

ThePott

Great showing from J'Von, total starmaking turn, the US open title is definitely a highlight of Smackdown at the moment.

Bliss/Flair against Zaruca could be sick too and a great way of highlighting the NXT stars.

Excited for Drew/Fatu programme, liked the segment a lot.

Now onto the decidedly less good.

When we saw it was gonna be Nia, Jade and Tiffy, there was a high chance this match was going to be sloppy. It was mostly alright until the end. Jade getting busted open. Tiffany not breaking up the pin. Nia not kicking out. There's a fair bit of blame to go around there.

At this point I don't know what the plan with Tiffany is, she's been champion forever it feels like and she doesn't seem to have much direction or interesting feuds, or even many opponents lined up to take the belt off her.

CastorTroy

What I never understand in situations like that is why not go ahead with the count since it was the same 2 involved in the winning pin. I'd see through it if Nia was meant to win. It's not like there would've been much time to fill after since the winning pin was right after.

Apple Dumpling

What has Jade actually done to deserve such a major spot does she sell a huge amount of merch?

I can’t see her being a ratings draw and she cannot wrestle. She does have an amazing look but not works outside of the look.

If she had a banger of a theme with a great crowd interaction entrance you might say she was worth some sort of push but she doesn’t. Even have that.

I’d say the ref botched that more than the two wrestlers just count the pin and let them get the riot act read to them back stage.

ThePott

I disagree with the count the pin argument here, normally they should count it as a shoot.

The problem was with Tiffany. She presumably was meant to break up Jade pinning Nia and then steal the pin but she was late so Nia had to kick-out.

So then she goes to pin Nia and Nia doesn't kick-out. It would have made no sense for Nia not to be able to get out of the pin considering she literally just kicked out of one.

The options were either for Nia to cop on herself and kick out (ideally at a one) for the ref to tell Nia clearly to kick out or for Tiffany to not have gone for that pin at all and gone straight for the moonsault.

It was Tiff's fault for being late and made for a messy situation overall.

CastorTroy

I think the Jade injury may have confused things as well. But it's done now.

On another note, with Chelsea recruiting, who would be a good person to add to that group? Maybe someone from NXT?

CastorTroy

So going by last night and Raw, the Aussie representation at Crown Jewel, Smackdown and Raw will mainly be tag matches with Rhea in a tag match against Kabuki Warriors, Zaria in a tag title match, Bronson likely being in a tag match and maybe have Grayson answer the US Title challenge.

Wonder if the Je'von camera spot was intentional.

Was getting worried about the contract signing going smoothly so was waiting for an attak. Though I expected Nia. If Kiana is going to be the spokesperson for Giulia, she needs to talk to Heyman. Like she was nearly in the ring by the time she remembered to say Giulia's name and don't think she said her own name. I know it's part of the commentator's job but considering how little Giulia has been on, even as US champion, they need to interact with teh crowd.

Hearing Angel and Humbertos being introduced as representing Legado Del Fantasma reminded me Santos is still around somewhere.

PTH2009

Tama Tonga is back and now with face paint