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WWE SmackDown Live: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for Oct. 3

Rob Furness
Rob Furness

Daily DDT

With just one day left before the SmackDown exclusive pay-per-view, Hell in a Cell, rivals aim to gain momentum during the go-home show. But who was left standing tall and who was left battered and broken?

Before I get into my review, I have got to hand it to the crowd in Denver. Normally go-home shows feel like nothing but filler. They’re the elevator pitch to a PPV; they seldom ever propel a storyline. While I sat on my couch wondering what a loyal viewer of SmackDown would gain by watching this week, I was reminded to simply enjoy the show by the thousands of screaming fans in the stadium. This was the first time in a long time, the crowd actually had an impact on how I enjoyed the show.

With that out of the way, let’s focus on the in-ring action. This week, WWE announced that Tye Dillinger and Baron Corbin would go one on one. Tye has been a welcome addition to the United States Championship scene, even as just a footnote in the rivalry between Corbin and AJ Styles, he’s reestablished himself as a fabulous in-ring talent, and Corbin has brought out his aggressive side.

Last week, Randy Orton ruined Rusev Day and challenged the Bulgarian Brute to a match at Hell in a Cell? It’s assumed that Rusev has accepted, but how will he and Aiden English exact revenge on the Viper? I know many were skeptical about a Natalya Championship run, yet I find myself enjoying seeing her every week. Her run has helped reinvigorate the women’s division. Yet, she still has to go up against the Queen, Charlotte Flair at Hell in a Cell, while Money in the Bank winner, Carmella, threatens here at every turn.

The Usos and The New Day just might be having the feud of the year, and WWE has advertised their match at Hell in a Cell as the final showdown between two of the best tag teams of this era. Last week, Shinsuke Nakamura got the upper hand on Jinder Mahal, but I’m sure the Modern Day Maharaja has a few more words for the Artist.

Of course, the main event is the feud between Shane O’Mac and Kevin Owens. With tempers boiling over, the two are set to meet face-to-face in the ring before Hell in a Cell.

Let’s review tonight episode of SmackDown Live!

WWE.com

Renee Young Interviews Shinsuke Nakamura

We start off the night with an in-ring interview with Shinsuke Nakamura. Renee addresses the controversial statements made by Jinder Mahal over the last two weeks. The question is obvious enough, as is Nakamura’s answer; “stick and stones…” But I can’t help but feel like the WWE is unsure about how to deal with this controversy. Do they want to try to mitigate the damage, or try to capitalize on it?

Regardless, the controversy has paid dividends. Ever since the Washington Post Story broke, Jinder Mahal is getting his strongest reaction. As the Singh Brothers introduce Mahal, the camera zooms up the ramp like it normally does. Only this time, Jinder Mahal ambushes Nakamura from behind. He delivers the Khallas and stands strong over the number one contender.

Natalya & Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch

Natalya submits Charlotte Flair via Sharpshooter

Rating: 3/ 5

A few weeks ago, SmackDown Live included this same exact match. It’s a quality of the programing that has plagued it since the Super Star Shakeup. However, the circumstances surrounding this week’s match is completely different and creates a brand new, fresh dynamic.

During their original tag match, Carmella flaunted her Money in the Bank briefcase, refused to tag into the match, and nearly cashed in that night. However, after a botched cash-in attempt by Ellsworth, Carmella vowed to do things her way.

This week, the two heels work together without issue against Flair and Lynch. It’s a nice little story telling piece that rewards weekly viewers.

Shane McMahon vs Kevin Owens  Hype Video

Bobby Roode vs Mike Kanellis

Roode def. Kanellis via Glorious DDT

Rating: Squash

Firstly, it’s nice to see MIke Kanellis in action again. Having recently admitted to having a drug problem and announcing that Maria Kanellis was pregnant, I wasn’t exactly expecting to see him show up. Unfortunately, he is simply cannon fodder for Bobby Roode. Nowadays, even Aiden English is getting in more offense during squash matches than Kanellis.

After the victory, Dolph Ziggler came out ranting about entrances. He says that at Hell in a Cell, he will have the greatest entrance ever. Okay, thanks Dolph.

WWE.com

The Usos Read The New Day Their Rights

My God. I don’t think any other superstar has benefited more from the Brand Split than the Usos. Right now, they’re the best promo. They feed off each other, their cadence and delivery is on point, and I am hanging on every word they say.

By stepping into Hell in a Cell, the New Day are stepping into Usos territory. They have had the tag team division on lockdown, since day 1(ish). However the New Day comes out and deliver the Usos their “Lefts.” Like how New Day left their last match as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

This is the best title scene on the Blue Brand right now, and it might be throughout all of WWE. The two teams have put on 4-star matches every time they face one another. And I don’t expect that to change at Hell in a Cell. WWE is billing this as the final showdown between the two, but honestly doubt anything they do after this rivalry will be as exciting.

Jinder Mahal Promo

Jinder starts the promo in Punjabi. Eventually, he, for the first time, admits that he cheats to win and that he’s okay with it. He tells Nakamura that at Hell in the Cell, he will regret ever stepping in the ring.

Tye Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin

Dillinger def. Corbin via Schoolboy Rollup

Rating: 1/5

I rated the match so low because it was so short. But everything about this program I have enjoyed. As I mentioned earlier, their feud has really brought out the best in Tye, and the fans seem to be responded. Similarly, this story arch for Corbin has made his character a bit more interesting. Last week, Corbin promised that he wouldn’t cut corners to defeat AJ Styles for the United States Championship.

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And it seemed like this week, he tried to follow through on that promise. Towards the end of the match, Corbin throws Dillinger into the announcer’s booth, similar to how the match played out last week. But instead of staying in the ring to wait for the count-out, Corbin rolls the Perfect 10 back into the ring. Unfortunately for Corbin, that ends up costing him the match.

I’ve maintained that everything that has happened to Corbin has more to do with character consistency. In kayfabe, Corbin is far from a polished in-ring competitor, but he is able to rely heavily on his god-given talent. While he wallowed in the under card, this god given ability won him a lot of matches. But now, against the best of the best, that lack of work ethic isn’t going to cut it.

AJ Styles echos that sentiment in a post-match vignette.Stating that unless Corbin grinds day after day, he’ll never beat him at Hell in a Cell.

Fashion Files is Postponed Until Hell in a Cell

One of the longest running gags in the WWE, seems to running on fumes. They’re barely able to find room for it on the weekly show that consists of 10 minutes of hype videos. However, Dango and Breeze will be back on the case at Hell in a Cell.

Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs The Hype Bros at Hell in the Cell

A brief announcement that these two teams will meet at the Hell in a Cell pre-show.

Randy Orton vs Aiden English

Orton def. Aiden English via RKO

Rate: Squash

After last weeks interruption, Aiden English vowed to get revenge for Rusev. Okay…Thanks Aiden English. After seemingly getting his offense in, The Viper hit English with an RKO from somewhere.

After the match, Rusev almost storms the ring, but thinks better of it because Orton is staring him down.

Sami Zayn Warns Shane McMahon

I don’t think I am ever going to stop lamenting the fact that Sami Zayn is on the sidelines for this feud. However, I do have hope that after Hell in the Cell, Zayn will take the flag from the beaten and broken body of Shane McMahon and fight Kevin Owens.

Backstage, Sami tries to stop Shane from calling out Kevin Owens. We relive the fact that Sami Zayn and KO were once best friend and that, Owens is a dangerous and unstable man. Shane appreciates the thought but tells Zayn to backoff.

WWE.com

Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens Meet Face-to-Face

Spoilers, it doesn’t end well for Shane.

Shane enters the ring, and immediately calls out Kevin Owens. When Owens doesn’t appear. he calls him a coward and announced that their match will be a Falls Count Anywhere Match.As you might expect, that insult drew out Kevin Owens who appeared in the crowd. However, Owens refuses to come to the ring and instead walks away.

Not satisfied with just words, Shane McMahon charges up the arena stairs to attack Owens. Instead Owens ambushes Shane and power bombs Shane through a vendor table in the arena lobby.

As Kevin walks down to the ring, Shane struggles to his feet and the two brawl in the crowd. Eventually, Kevin Owens delivers a beating on Shane that is reminiscent of the one he gave Vince McMahon weeks ago.

With Shane incapacitated, Owens comes to the ring and says that he is going to annihilate Shane McMahon all throughout the ring, cell, and arena and that Shane won’t have to jump off the cage, because he will happily push him off.

Next: How WWE Ruined Bayley, and How They Can Get Her Over Again

Well, what did you think of this week’s go-home show?

Rob Furness

Rob Furness