WWE Draft SmackDown on FOX: Results, Highlights, Grades for Oct. 11

The second week of WWE TV on the FOX Network focuses on Night 1 of the WWE Draft, taking place all night on SmackDown.

After some fireworks and the opening intro crawl, we don’t waste time to figure out some WWE Draft picks. Our opening match is a WrestleMania worthy match with SmackDown’s Roman Reigns vs. Raw’s Seth Rollins with the winner getting their brand the first draft pick.

The former Shield brothers fist bump before locking up. Even match-up to start until Rollins attempts a roll-up for a nearfall. Roman to the outside. Both men dodge suicide dive and Drive-By Kick attempts. These men know each other too well.

Back in the ring, things intensify with a staredown and Roman pushes Rollins. They start trading punches.

Back from commercial, Rollins has Roman in a rest hold, which Reigns breaks out of momentarily. Rollins attempts a suplex, but gets blocked. Roman attempts the same and gets blocked. They go back and forth until Rollins hits a Superkick. He goes for the Stomp, but Roman reverses into a roll-up transitioning into a deadlift powerbomb for another near fall.

Roman attempts a Superman Punch, but Rollins catches him for a reverse STO into the corner. He sends Roman to the outside for two suicide dives, then a springboard knee. He goes to the top rope for a frog splash and nails it for a 2-count.

Rollins sets up another Curb Stomp only for Roman to side step it with two uppercuts, but Rollins responds with a superkick. He then lifts Roman up for a Buckle Bomb, but Roman bounces out the corner for a Superman Punch. Near fall.

Roman sets up a Spear, but in shades of their match from Money in the Bank 2016, Rollins counters in mid-air for a Pedigree! 1 … 2… KICK OUT!

Rollins sets up another Stomp, but alas, The Fiend appears from under the ring to jam his fingers down Rollins’ throat, and literally drag the Universal Champion to hell. Rollins slithers his way back up, though. Hell must have a step ladder.

Hell must also have a secret exit door because seconds later, The Fiend taunts Rollins from the top of the ramp.

Result: Rollins by DQ

Grade: B

Not a fan of non-finishes, but I get it in cases like this when you don’t need to beat either guy, especially when this easily could’ve been saved for a Mania match. Plus, because these dudes have such gnarly chemistry, Rollins vs. Roman was just dog gone fun while it lasted.

At the ramp, Stephanie McMahon announces who gets the first WWE Draft pick for Raw. To no surprise, the #1 WWE Draft pick for Raw is Becky Lynch and for SmackDown, Roman Reigns! In addition, in the #2 pick, The O.C. (AJ Styles, Gallows and Anderson) go to Raw while Bray Wyatt goes to SmackDown. Next, Drew McIntyre to Raw.

King Corbin vs. Shorty Gable (yes, they rebranded Chad as “Shorty” and I am appalled)

Before the match, King Baron Corbin comes out to complain and talk about how he can’t stand the crowd’s filth. To be fair, it’s Las Vegas, so he might be onto something.

Match starts with a lock-up, but because Shorty Gable is, uh, short, Baron Corbin just tosses him around. Throws him to the outside and into the barricade and ring post.

Back in the ring, Gable tries to chop Corbin down with amateur wrestling and attacking the legs, but his momentum gets shut down by a big boot. He then sends Shorty to the outside where he gets tossed into the announce table, then chokeslammed onto the table before we’re sent into a commercial break.

Back from the break, Corbin sets Gable on the top rope, but Shorty wiggles his way out. Corbin attempts a Deep Six, but Gable reverses with a bulldog. Comeback city for Gable until Corbin rolls outside, only to get dropkicked over the barricade.

Back in the ring, Gable hits a pitch perfect moonsault for a 2-count. He then attempts a Chaos Theory, only for Corbin scout it and hit a gnarly, whirling back suplex move. Hard to describe, never seen anything like it.

Corbin attempts an End of Days, but Gable wiggles out for a Chaos Theory for another 2-count. He then goes for a German Suplex. He goes for a second one, but he’s too busy selling the back to capitalize. Corbin goes for a chokeslam, but Gable turns it into a victory roll. 2-count, but he grips Corbin’s leg for an Ankle Lock. Corbin rolls onto his back, but gets a Jackknife pin attempt.

Back to his feet, Gable walks right into an End of Days.

Winner: Corbin

Grade: C-

This got a little more fun and entertaining near the end, but early on, it just felt too much like a one-sided squash. Hard to invest into when Gable’s loss felt so pre-determined. Still, both men showcased themselves well and I think this turned out just a smidge better than their HIAC match.

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In the next WWE Draft picks, we learn Randy Orton goes to Raw, Sasha Banks to SmackDown, Ricochet to Raw, Braun to SmackDown, and Bobby Lashley to Raw. We then get a video package hyping up Tyson Fury, who we then see is backstage.