WWE SmackDown Results, Grades: Bayley Remained One Step Ahead

WWE SmackDown took place on September 11, 2020, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX.

Are you ready? Are you ready for a good time? The blue brand was stacked tonight with PPV-worthy matches and suspenseful segments. The SmackDown episode two weeks away from WWE Clash of Champions 2020 seemed promising. The review for this episode was as follows:

On tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown, there were two scheduled matches: (1) Jeff Hardy (c) vs. AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship, and (2) Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans vs. Tamina in a SmackDown Women’s Championship #1C Fatal Four Way Match. There were also two scheduled segments: (1) Bray Wyatt introduced a new ‘friend’ in the FireFly FunHouse and (2) Bayley explained her actions against Sasha Banks from last week.

With WWE Clash of Champions 2020 only two weeks away, there were quite a few rivalries to build towards. With that being said, it’s now time to bleed blue and recap what happened on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, starting with Universal Champion Roman Reigns’ promo.

Universal Champion Roman Reigns Promo (w/Paul Heyman)

Result: Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Sheamus and King Corbin was set for the main event.

Grade: A-, Fun segment to kick off the show. Roman Reigns and Jey Uso made this upcoming championship match exciting to see, as if two brothers are trying to one-up each other in a bragging rights contest. As fellow King of the Rings, Sheamus and King Corbin should know better than to mess with The Bloodline.

Roman Reigns kicked off SmackDown by congratulating Jey Uso and welcoming him to the ring. Paul Heyman conveyed to Uso that Reigns was the reason Uso got a spot in the number one contender’s match last week. Reigns added pressure by telling Uso that this will be Uso’s moment, the one he has always dreamed of as a little kid. However, just like they were as little kids, Reigns plans on defeating him. Of course Roman was a winner as a little kid too.

Sheamus and King Corbin obnoxiously interrupted this promo to complain about how Uso was a last minute addition and it was not fair to the other competitors in the match. Sheamus should not be the one talking because his attack on Big E is a supplementary reason as to why Uso was in the match in the first place. This somehow set up a tag team match for later in the night, pitting Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Sheamus and King Corbin.

Jeff Hardy (c) vs. AJ Styles [Intercontinental Championship]

Result: AJ Styles (via DQ)

Grade: C+, It was quite evident that this match would end inconclusively because the WWE has been building up a triple threat IC Championship match amongst Sami Zayn, Jeff Hardy, and AJ Styles. However, it was questionable for Hardy to pass out due to dehydration after the match.

After Sami Zayn bickered on the stage area to complain about this title match happening, AJ Styles tried to capitalize on the distraction but Jeff Hardy delivered a Twist of Fate to Styles. Hardy attempted a Swan Time Bomb but Styes moved out of the way. Styles and Hardy’s offense went back and forth until Sami Zayn interrupted the match with a Helluva Kick to Styles outside the ring, forcing a disqualification finish. Jeff Hardy passed out due to dehydration after the match.

Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Lucha House Party [Tag Match]

Result: Lucha House Party (via pinfall)

Grade: B-, What a swerve and a good way to kill two birds with one stone. It was expected that Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura would make a statement to Street Profits by winning here, but the WWE decided to book a distraction by Profits to stir the pot and simultaneously book Lucha House Party as the next number one contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

Street Profits met Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura backstage to taunt them for their upcoming champion’s showcase match on Raw this Monday. Cesaro and Nakamura welcomed Ford and Dawkins to watch their upcoming match against Lucha House Party. Cesaro and Nakamura gained control for the majority of the match, attempting to make a statement to Street Profits. However, Street Profits distracted Cesaro and Nakamura by having a party in their Champions’ Lounge.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley Promo: Bayley Used Sasha Banks

Result: Bayley used Sasha Banks before Banks could use her.

Grade: A+, Bayley is a living legend. Tremendous promo for one of the best rivalries in WWE to date. Not only did she explain her actions but she left a sour taste in the fans’ mouths while doing it, like the true heel she is.

Bayley walked into the ring  with the same steel chair that she hit Sasha Banks with on last week’s SmackDown. Before Bayley spoke on the issue, a clip was shown on the titantron of Bayley’s betrayal of Sasha Banks from last week’s SmackDown. Bayley then explained that she knew Banks would turn on her all alog, just like she did in her NXT days. Henceforth, Bayley turned on first after she used her to remain on top of the division.

Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans vs. Tamina [SmackDown Women’s Championship #1C Match]

Result: Nikki Cross (via pinfall)

Grade: B+, The match was pretty good, especially when Alexa Bliss delivered a Sister Abigail to Nikki Cross. It was understandable that Cross would win after getting attacked by Bayley before the match, but do the fans really need to see this match for the 267th time?

Bayley attacked Nikki Cross before the match, giving her a significant disadvantage in this match. Bliss allowed Nikki Cross to deliver a Flying Crossbody to Lacey Evans and Tamina outside the ring. Alexa Bliss was in a trance all of a sudden, delivered a Sister Abigail to Nikki Cross, and walked off, turning this into a triple threat match amongst Cross, Evans, and Tamina. Lacey Evans delivered a Moonsault to Tamina for the nearfall after Cross broke it up.

Cross regained momentum with a Tornado DDT to Tamina and a Neckbreaker to Evans. Tamina delivered a Superkick to Evans and attempted a Samoan Drop. However, Lacey Evans countered to deliver a Women’s Right to Tamina. Cross delivered the Perfect Cross to Evans. Lacey Evans rolled out of the ring before Cross could cover her. Tamina attempted to capitalize with a Samoan Drop, but Cross rolled up Tamina for the win. Cross will battle Bayley at WWE Clash of Champions 2020.

Otis vs. John Morrison [Grudge Match]

Result: Otis (via pinfall)

Grade: C+, This was just a filler match with the continued tease of taking away the MITB contract from Otis. Nothing special here.

John Morrison gained control early on in the match while The Miz was on commentary, complaining about how Otis won the MITB contract without even climbing the ladder. Otis delivered the Caterpillar Elbow and Splash to defeat John Morrison in a quick match. Before Otis finished the match, The Miz ran away with MITB Contract.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1304574586403663874

Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Sheamus and King Corbin [Tag Match]

Result: Roman Reigns and Jey Uso (via pinfall)

Grade: A+, What Roman Reigns did was savage. You gotta love it. Wreck everyone and leave.

Jey Uso had to fight Sheamus and King Corbin all by himself.  Uso was about to win with an Uso Splash to Sheamus, but Reigns walked in during the middle of the match to spear Sheamus and won the match for his team. Pure savagery.

September 11, 2020, SmackDown Results

• Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Sheamus and King Corbin was set for the main event.
• AJ Styles defeated Jeff Hardy via disqualification, thanks to Sami Zayn’s interference.
• Jeff Hardy passed out due to dehydration after the match.
• Lucha House Party defeated Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall.
• Bayley used Sasha Banks before Banks could use her.
• Nikki Cross became the number one contender for Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Title.
• Otis defeated John Morrison via pinfall.
• Bray Wyatt introduced Wobbly Walrus (Paul Heyman?) as his new friend.
• Roman Reigns and Jey Uso defeated Sheamus and King Corbin via pinfall.