WWE SmackDown Results, Grades: Sasha Banks Vehemently Scolded Bayley

WWE SmackDown took place on September 18, 2020, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX.

Are you ready? Are you ready for a good time? WWE SmackDown was stacked tonight with PPV-worthy matches and suspenseful segments. The SmackDown episode one week 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) Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Sheamus and King Corbin in a Samoan Street Fight, and (2) AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn. There were also two scheduled segments: (1) Sasha Banks responded to Bayley’s heinous, treacherous actions in an exclusive interview and (2) Alexa Bliss hosted a Moment of Bliss with her ‘best’ friend, Nikki Cross.

With WWE Clash of Champions 2020 only one week away from Sunday, 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 The Dirt Sheet.

The Dirt Sheet: The Miz and Morrison Make Fun Of Otis and Mandy Rose

Result: Otis Gave The Miz A Wedgie

Grade: F, Why? Who booked this? The comments made about Mandy Rose during this segment were inappropriate and unnecessary. On top of that, The Miz already loses every week. He has to lose his dignity too? What a way to bury both Mandy Rose and The Miz in one segment.

The Miz and John Morrison hosted The Dirt Sheet to tease Sasha Banks’ response to Bayley’s action for later tonight and make fun of Mandy Rose’s trade to Raw. Heavy Machinery ran out to retaliate. Otis and Tucker attacked both men. At the end of the brawl, Otis took all of Miz’s clothes off to embarrass him in the process.

Cesaro vs. Gran Metalik [Grudge Match]

Result: Cesaro (via pinfall)

Grade: C+, Cesaro and Gran Metalik’s match was technically sound, as expected. Since the length of the match was short, it did not deliver to its fullest.

Cesaro and Gran Metalik had a fast pace match with both getting most of their patented maneuvers in. After Metalik delivered a couple Hurricanranas and Headscissors Takedowns, Cesaro finished the match with a Neutralizer for the pinball and the victory. Cesaro and Nakamura will officially be defending the tag titles against Lucha House Party at Clash of Champions.

Moment of Bliss: Starring Nikki Cross

Result: Lacey Evans interrupted the segment to set up a match with Nikki Cross

Grade: A-, This segment was quite comical, enjoyable, and light-hearted while advancing the storyline between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross.

Alexa Bliss asked Nikki Cross why she thinks she will defeat Bayley since she has lost to Bayley in every title match. Nikki Cross replied that she always had to have two eyes on the back of her head because of Sasha Banks’ interferences but she will win this time because Sasha Banks won’t be there to help Bayley.

Nikki Cross then asked Alexa Bliss why she hit her with the Sister Abigail. Bliss replied that she feels controlled and does not know what’s going on with her, from a mental standpoint. Lacey Evans interrupts this segment to call ‘Moment of Bliss’ the Dr. Phil show and explain why she lost last week and why Nikki Cross has no chance against Bayley.

Evans explained that she got thrown off when Bliss left the fatal four way number one contenders match last week. As for Cross’ chances against Bayley, Evans conveyed that Cross has no mean streak and no backbone. Nikki Cross sneezed in Lacey Evans’ handkerchief to get revenge for Evans’ comments. Coincidentally, they are scheduled for a match next.

Nikki Cross vs. Lacey Evans [Grudge Match]

Result: Nikki Cross (via pinfall)

Grade: B-, The match itself was average, but Bliss’ commentary during the match and the Blissful Abigail after the match were exquisite.

Lacey Evans took control early on in the match. She squirted Hand Sanitizer in Nikki Cross’ eyes. This got Nikki Cross angry. She delivered the Bulldog and Neckbreaker for the pinfall and the victory. After the match, Alexa Bliss delivered a Sister Abigail to Lacey Evans to add insult to injury. Alexa Bliss was truly following those buzzards.

Sasha Banks Backstage Interview: Sasha Banks Flipped The Switch

Result: Sasha Banks staked her claim for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

Grade: A-, Sasha Banks had a tremendous, heartfelt promo about her past friendship with Bayley but remained determined to get her revenge. When WWE Hell in a Cell 2020 comes, Banks will be ready and it will be BOSS TIME. 

Michael Cole asked Sasha Banks how she felt about Bayley’s comments from last week’s SmackDown. Banks said that she heard everything Bayley said last week, and she was distraught that she meant nothing to Bayley now because they would always talk about all of their goals, aspirations, and accomplishments together.

Banks switched from being sorrowful to being livid and conveyed that Bayley is naive idiot who is nothing without her. Since she’s useless to her now, Banks promises that she will take the one thing Bayley loves: the SmackDown Women’s Championship. After Banks finished speaking, Bayley attacked Banks backstage with a steel chair.

AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn [Grudge Match]

Result: Aj Styles (via pinfall)

Grade: A-, Solid match. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget how great Sami Zayn is in the ring. He may present himself as a goofy heel at times, but he is truly a gem inside that squared circle.

Zayn and Styles’ match was back-and-forth competition. Sami Zayn delivered a FlapJack to Styles on the ropes for the nearfall. AJ Styles delivered a Pele Kick and Ushigoroshi for the near fall. Zayn delivered a Blue Thunder Bomb to Styles for the near fall.

Zayn attempted a Helluva Kick, but Styles countered with the Calf Crusher. Zayn countered by rolling Styles with the tights pulled, but the ref did not allow the count. Styles did the same thing Zayn did. He pulled the tights and won the match.

Jeff Hardy attacked both men after the match and announced that he wants to battle both Styles and Zayn in triple threat Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship. Looks like the Intercontinental Championship will be defended on the PPV for the first time since Mania 36.

Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. King Corbin and Sheamus [Samoan Street Fight]

Result: Roman Reigns and Jey Uso (via pinfall)

Grade: B+, This match was a fun spot fest, to say the least. However, Reigns and Uso seem too comfortable together as opponents for Clash of Champions. When will one snap?

In what was a rematch from last week, Sheamus and King Corbin looked forward to settling the score by dominating Roman Reigns and Jey Uso early on in the match. Sheamus and Corbin delivered a Powerbomb to Uso through the table for the nearfall. However, their offense was not enough for Roman Reigns.

Reigns rallied back with a Low Blow and Samoan Drop to Sheamus through the announce table and a Spear to Sheamus through the barricade wall. Uso hit King Corbin with the Universal Title. This attack allowed Reigns to deliver a Spear to Corbin and Uso delivered the Uso Splash for the pinfall and the victory. Reigns and Jey Uso had a tense hug after the match,

September 18, 2020, SmackDown Results

• Otis gave The Miz a wedgie.
• Cesaro defeated Gran Metalik via pinfall.
• Nikki Cross defeated Lacey Evans via pinfall.
• Sasha Banks staked her claim for Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship.
• AJ Styles defeated Sami Zayn via pinfall.
• The Miz and John Morrison sued Otis for emotional distress and MITB negligence.
• Big E returned from injury to attack Sheamus.
• Roman Reigns and Jey Uso defeated Sheamus and King Corbin via pinfall.