WWE SmackDown: Results, Analysis, and Grades for September 11, 2018

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) vs. Rusev Day (Rusev & Aiden English, w/ Lana)

Result: Rusev Day defeated The Bar via pinfall

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

Honestly, my only problem with this match is it’s timing: Earlier today, WWE streamed the final portion of the WWE 2K19 roster reveal. It was hosted by Rusev and Lana, with their special guests… The Bar. And they were laughing and goofing off like they were old buddies. I understand that kayfabe is dead, but can’t we pretend just a little bit?

Beyond that, everything about the atmosphere of this match was gold. New Day on commentary at their own personal announce table — with Big E literally making pancakes during the match. Ace reporter Kramer Kingsman trying to get a word with The Bar before the match, and totally nailing the inflection when he said “Hell in a Cell.” Aiden English back to singing more than rapping. Everything was perfect.

https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1039685792040271873

The match itself was excellent, too, though I would have much preferred actually being able to see the majority of it. Between getting started in a picture in picture commercial break, then having a second ad break mid match, it was tough to get invested in it. The teamwork between Rusev and English was spot on, considering their alliance has been less of a tag team and more of friends with a common goal.

The Rusev hot tag was a thing of beauty, and I don’t know about you, but I want a singles feud between Rusev and Cesaro like yesterday. That brief sequence of the match where those two hosses went at it was some of the finest ring work of the night, albeit an incredibly small sample.

Even better than that was English sacrificing himself by by jumping in front of the Brogue Kick to save Rusev. That’s some top-notch storytelling, folks. The shock on Sheamus’s face said it all, and it opened the door for a somewhat surprising victory for Rusev Day.

The Battle of the Days at HIAC should be amazing, and you know what? I hope Rusev Day pulls off the upset. They’ve been one of the better parts of WWE SmackDown for some time now, and there’s no harm in trying something different.