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WWE SmackDown Live: Results, Highlights, and Grades from September 18

By Chelsea Marcus

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Randy Orton finds himself in a production truck forcing a production assistant to replay Orton’s assault on Jeff Hardy at Hell In A Cell. To be honest, given Orton’s current reputation, this segment is creepier and more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Orton promises whoever is never will get the pain tenfold.

AJ Styles is backstage for an interview. AJ essentially says that the ending of the match was either pure luck or beautiful karma. He says that at Super Show-Down, anything will go, and the winner will take all.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev

Before the highly anticipated match between Shinsuke and Rusev, Aiden English and Lana both try to confront Rusev about back-handed comments English made about Lana. Rusev if too focused, and allows Aiden to “do the honors” and sing Rusev into the ring… maybe for one last time…

In the mean time, Shinsuke couldn’t care less.

Nakamura may be in for a face-turn soon. The crowd cheers for every improperly haughty reaction he has, and he can’t get any jeering from the crowd, not even against every’s favorite holiday.

Aiden English gets on the mic in the middle of the match to get the crowd behind Rusev… or to try to make Lana forget she just heard him drag her name through the mud.

It works though, and Rusev gets some momentum, landing clotheslines, kicks, and the like. He’s getting fired up now, and Nakamura’s in position for a Matchka Kick. Shinsuke counters, and Rusev just kicks out of a pin.

Nakamura regains control, and but Rusev counters a big knee attempt from Nakamura. The two are out on the apron, and Nakamura gets a cheap eye-poke until he can land a knee from the corner. BIG MATCHKA KICK when it looked like Shinsuke may be lining up for a Kinshasa.

Aiden gets on the mic, begging Rusev to “crush”, and it distracts Rusev enough for Nakamura to land a roll-up and secure a win. I am bracing myself.

With good reason, apparently! English attacks Rusev after the match, mic still in hand. His message is simple and clear- “Happy Rusev Day.”

Grade: B

The emotional weight put on this match only moments before put all the attention and pressure on Rusev Day, and a blatant English turn really wasn’t expected that quickly, at least to me. It’s a heartbreak we should’ve been prepared for, but it still hurts.