John Cena and AJ Styles vs. The Bloodline on SmackDown.
Photo credit: WWE.com
WWE SmackDown promoted John Cena amid the looming end of the writers’ and actors’ strike. Cena teamed with AJ Styles to fight the Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa). SmackDown also promoted Iyo Sky defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Asuka and Rey Mysterio, and Escobar against the Street Profits.
WWE SmackDown’s broadcast with The Rock’s return reached 2.569 million viewers last week.
WWE SmackDown Results | September 22, 2023
- LWO def. The street profits
- Iyo Sky defeated. Asuka | WWE Women’s Championship
- A-Town Down Under def. the Brawling Brutes
WWE SmackDown Ratings
- September 15, 2023 | 2.569 million
- September 8, 2023 | 2.094 million
- September 1, 2023 | 2.443 million
- August 25, 2023 | 2.647 million
- August 18, 2023 | 2.094 million
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Desert Diamond Arena (Glendale, Az.)
- WWE SmackDown tickets distributed: 11,495
- Available tickets: 202
WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades
John Cena opens SmackDown
John Cena struggled with “what” chants during his promo, but they were friendly “what” chants if there was such a thing. Cena leaned into her and listed all the roles he’s had in WWE. However, as the “what” chants continued, Cena did everything he could to quell them.
Cena called on AJ Styles to team up with him and fight The Bloodline at WWE Fastlane. Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa rose to the challenge but refrained from physically attacking in the opening section.
With Reigns on one of his many vacations, the bloodline is starting to feel like Power Rangers Zeo.
SmackDown Opening Segment Grade: B
Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar Def. The Street Wins
Mysterio and Escobar surprisingly won this match, meaning WWE is either breaking up the Street Profits and Lashley already, or they’re telling a deeper, long-term story where the Street Profits really need to listen to Lashley and fold completely. Hopefully it’s the latter.
After the match, Lashley demanded his watches and suits back and threatened that if the Street Profits couldn’t find a killer instinct, he would find someone who could.
Street Profits vs. LWO Grade: B-
Iyo Sky Def. Asuka
WWE spiced up this match with a great video package for Asuka and Iyo Sky.
Asuka and Iyo Sky are the only Japanese women in the white man’s WWE and they remind me of that The other black girl on Hulu.
WWE gave this match a lot of time and Asuka and Iyo executed it like a Stardom match, without the dangerous parts. The lack of paralysis will negatively impact this game’s star ratings, but luckily 63-year-old Dave Meltzer’s star ratings mean nothing at all.
Iyo Sky won despite interference from Bayley, even after Charlotte tried to even the odds.
WWE aired a hilarious vignette of “Pretty Deadly” featuring Elton Prince recovering from an (over-dramatized) shoulder injury.
Iyo Sky vs. Asuka Grade: A
A-Town Down Under Def. The Brawl Brothers
Austin Theory barked at Michael Cole earlier in the night, and let’s hope that doesn’t lead to the return of Singlet Michael Cole.
It was a fight between two professional wrestlers (Butch and Ridge Holland) and two sports entertainers (Waller and Theory). I’ll give you a guess as to who took more heat.
Both teams showed great chemistry, especially Theory and Waller, who were hoping for a win in the end. Michael Cole even said, “That was a great game!” and he sounded so surprised.
A-Town Down Under vs. Brawling Brutes Grade: A-
Cena and Styles vs. Bloodline contract signing
Jimmy Uso has continued to overstep his boundaries by accepting this challenge without seeking approval, and all signs point to Jimmy being kicked out of the bloodline once again. When that happens, he will transform into a Jabroni Uso.
Before the signing could even begin, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso defeated AJ Styles. Sikoa lunged at Styles from 15 feet. I don’t think AJ will make it to Fastlane.
Cena and WWE officials did not come to Styles’ aid until immediately after the backstage attack. Terrible timing.
When Paul Heyman was in the ring, the Bloodline received so much heat for their actions. He said “ladies…” and they booed. Heyman added, “They boo ladies in Arizona.”
Naturally, fans chanted “Rocky!” when it became clear that Cena would need a new tag team partner.
An exuberant Jimmy Uso grabbed the microphone from Paul Heyman and cut a promo to Cena before Cena entered the ring. Cena’s replacement didn’t show up tonight. Instead, Cena was drafted by Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. Uso hit Cena with two splashes.
Main event grade: A
Source : www.forbes.com