WWE SmackDown Live Results And Grades For July 17, 2018

Kofi Kingston vs. Eric Young

Before the match, we see Big E and Xavier Woods hyping up Kofi Kingston for a big-time matchup against Sanity’s leader, Eric Young. Sanity defeated New Day in a Tables Match on the Extreme Rules Kick-Off Show, and it’s awesome to see that this tag team feud will continue. These are two of the most talented tag teams in the world both in the ring and character-wise, and a matchup between the veterans of each group tonight will help take this feud to another level.

Be prepared for a lot of Mike Shanahanigans at ringside with everyone out there, though that probably goes without saying.

Kofi and Young bring the fire early with their grappling exchanges. Though Kofi’s speed confers an advantage very briefly, Young’s ruthlessness and tremendous strikes start to turn the tide of the game. But Kingston heeds Big E’s advice, using his quickness to trip up Young before dumping Sanity’s leader to the outside. The story here is that Kofi has to use his quickness to avoid Young’s offense and catch the maniacal leader offguard in order to pick up the W.

Young ascended the top rope for a big move, but Kofi hit him with a beautiful dropkick to counter. Woods started playing the trombone to get the crowd back into it, and it allows Kofi to hit his comeback.

He went for Trouble In Paradise, but Young countered it into a roll up for a two-count. And then it was Kofi’s turn to hit a close near-fall with an INSANE move that I’m not even sure I can describe. But it’s safe to say that both men are incredible athletes, which Kofi reenforces with a little “Air Kofi” to take out everyone on Sanity.

After a nearfall via SOS, Kofi ascended the top rope, but Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain interfered to prevent any move from happening. Both Wolfe and Dain were beaten up by Big E and Woods for their efforts, though they got their revenge to allow Young to win the match.

And just like that, Sanity are 2-for-2 against New Day.

Grade: B, As expected, both of these talented wrestlers brought it, and I’m interested in seeing the next chapter in this story, if there is one. Sanity is back on a roll.