Match Ratings, Podcast Notes For 11/6/18 WWE Smackdown Live From Sean Ross Sapp Of Fightful.com

 Opening Segment

  • Paige brings out the BEST IN THE WORLD, Shane McMahon.
  • Shane McMahon confirms that he in fact is not best in the world. He and Paige also run down the Survivor Series card.
  • McMahon brings out Daniel Bryan and names him the captain of Smackdown's team. Bryan appreciates that Shane is super humble in saying he's not best in the world.
  • Miz interrupts and isn't happy about how things unfolded in the World Cup, or that Bryan is captain.
  • You hear that, @HustleTheSavage? Miz has plenty of spare rooms.
  • Shane makes Miz and Daniel Bryan co-captains. 
  • Backstage Miz picks Shane McMahon for the team, and Daniel Bryan agrees with the selection. There's an intentionally awkward spot where they get along and don't like it.
  • Bryan picks Rey Mysterio, but Miz says they should pick wrestlers, and have them square off for the spot on their team.
  • Bryan picks Jeff Hardy, and Miz selects Samoa Joe. They're facing each other tonight.
Details On The Future Of Numerous WWE Releases

For Team Smackdown Captain Spot
Usos defeated New Day (w/ Xavier Woods)
7/10

  • Kofi distracts Jey with a NOPE Con Hilo, and Big E runs over him. Great spot.  
  • Kofi's leg is dropkicked off the top rope during the commercial.
  • Big E has one of the most insane hot tags ever. Any number of the moves he does during it look like they could finish someone. Several great suplexes.
  • Big E dies on a YOLO dive, but is right back up and sends Jimmy into the barricade. Maybe he should have sold that. He gets thrown into the timekeeper area. 
  • Kofi does an insane Trust Fall onto the Usos. Back in the ring, an SOS and flying body press both get two for him.
  • Big E gets his Yolo Dive, when the Usos are trying to double suplex Kofi off the apron. This leads to a Trouble in Paradise for two. 
  • Uso counters a superfrankensteiner with a super powerbomb. Uso Splash wins the match!
  • After the match, Usos say they respect New Day, and they want them on their team.
  • Wait.....two of the FIVE teams have been decided? Pardon? 

THE MAN

  • Becky Lynch comes out and cuts a promo about what Rousey said on Raw. Becky said all the right things. I'm loving "The Man" gimmick from her.
  • Becky says Ronda is shaming her for all the things she did to pay for how she got where she was.
  • Ronda Rousey was hand picked, and Becky isn't supposed to be here.
  • Becky says that she wants a challenge right now. Sanity's music hits.
  • I got chills when Nikki Cross emerged from the smoke. She has a great presence. She wants to "play." Becky wants to fight.

Becky Lynch defeated Nikki Cross
5/10

  • Becky throws Nikki out of the ring, but Nikki catches her in the ring apron and beats her.
  • Becky yanks Nikki off the apron and slams her into the barricade.
  • Cross fires up with her comeback that ends in a bulldog. There's also a flying body press that lands, as well as a falling reverse DDT.
  • Lynch pulls Cross into the bottom rope, then taps her out with Disarmher. This could have used three more minutes.

Backstage Crappenings

  • Shinsuke Nakamura cuts a backstage promo on Seth Rollins.
  • AJ Styles does the same, but directed towards Brock Lesnar, and playing off of Heyman promos.
  • Paige announces Naomi, Asuka, Carmella, Sonya and Charlotte as members of Team Smackdown. Charlotte doesn't come out, instead Mandy does and runs down everyone. Naomi punches her. Okay.

For A Spot On Smackdown Live's Survivor Series Team
Rey Mysterio defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas
6.25/10

  • No Zelina tonight. She's at home after sustaining an injury at Evolution.
  • Rey Mysterio is NOT taking it easy since coming back to Smackdown Live.  
  • Almas takes a crazy bump over the top rope by missing his knees, but catches a Rey huracanrana and slings him into the barricade.
  • The spot of the show is Almas backflipping out of a sunset flip bomb and hitting two running knees in the corner in a really smooth manner. 
  • Almas gets a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but Rey gets his knees up on the corrective moonsault.
  • Rey hits the 619, and drops the dime. Victory is Rey's.
  • Randy Orton RKOs Mysterio. Bryan and Miz argue over whose fault it is.

For Team Smackdown Survivor Series Spot
Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy
5/10

  • Whisper in the Wind right out of the gate. 
  • Samoa Joe tosses Hardy into the barricades at ringside until Hardy runs off of it with a clothesline.
  • Daniel Bryan and Miz are bickering about being leaders on commentary.
  • Hardy gets out of a Coquina Clutch and hits a Twist of Fate. He goes up top for a Swanton and eats knees big time.
  • Coquina Clutch, that's a wrap.
  • Joe gets in Bryan's face, and Bryan attacks. Miz pulls Bryan off.
  • Miz "keep your emotions in check, don't move" like Bryan was in front of a bear.
  • Bryan is really aggressive with Shane McMahon and Miz to end the show. Seesh.

 

 

Rating guide

10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor

Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a "star rating," which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive "TV match" lands at a 5.The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
 

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