WWE SmackDown Live Recap, Grades & Opinion: September 17, 2019

WWE SmackDown Live Recap: September 17, 2019

A.K.A. The One Where The Bludgeon Brothers Bludgeoned

Results:

• New Day def. Randy Orton & The Revival
• Shinsuke Nakamura versus Ali never gets started due to Nakamura attacking Ali
• Charlotte def. Sasha Banks by disqualification when Bayley interferes
• Heavy Machinery def. The B-Team

Match of the Night: New Day def. Randy Orton & The Revival

When this match was announced, it looked like the feud between Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton would continue. The aftermath proved this is likely put to bed. With it done, this was a fitting cap. These six men have gotten to know each other well over a two month feud, and it showed here. They had counters to each other’s moves, and New Day looked to use their years of experience together to get the win. A solid W for the Princes of Positivity.

The #NewDay are definitely feeling great as they work together to take down @RandyOrton and #TheRevival. #SDLive

@DashWilderWWE @ScottDawsonWWE @XavierWoodsPhd @TrueKofi @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/dTVKxJaqwH

— WWE (@WWE) September 18, 2019

Three Thoughts:

Brock O’Clock

That’s right. Once Kingston was standing tall after his win, Brock Lesnar’s music hit and he and Paul Heyman strode to the ring. Lesnar challenged Kingston for the SmackDown debut on Fox for the WWE Championship. The fighting champion that Kingston is, he accepted. Of course he ate an F5 for his troubles.

Is this a glimpse into the future???@BrockLesnar has challenged @TrueKofi to a battle for the #WWEChampionship on #FridayNightSmackDown's Oct. 4 debut on FOX! pic.twitter.com/8PU2r10Dw0

— WWE (@WWE) September 18, 2019

One thing I loved is that Kingston told his New Day brethren to head to the back. Big E and Woods looked willing to stand next to Kingston and take on Brock, but Kingston wanted to do it alone. Kingston has had an amazing title run, but Lesnar is the most likely person to end his reign.

Legal Jargon? My Favorite!

Kevin Owens had Shane McMahon served with a wrongful termination lawsuit. He presented his case convincingly and looks to have turned the tables on McMahon. Owens said he’s hitting McMahon where it hurts: the pocket book. Once he wins the lawsuit, another clause in there would allow Owens to fire McMahon.

Is it super engaging for a wrestling program? No, not really. If it does get us the termination of Shane McMahon as an on-screen performer though, I will gladly read every court document. It isn’t the most entertaining viewing, but it is a means to an end.

Bludgeoning Away!

Wow, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper are getting some major attention now. Rowan was given a sit-down interview during the show where he said the a̶t̶t̶e̶m̶p̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶u̶r̶d̶e̶r̶s̶ attacks on Roman Reigns were meant to scare him. He said no one, not even Daniel Bryan, is his intellectual peer. It was a pretty general promo on getting respect from the WWE Universe, but it was effective.

The ending segment showcased the dominance of Harper and Rowan once more. They manhandled Daniel Bryan, who came out saying he has been exonerated for the attacks on Reigns. When Reigns tried to help as well, he was taken out quickly. Harper and Rowan seem to have their eyes on something other than the tag division. What that is we will find out soon.

This is a RAMPAGE!

@ERICKROWAN & @LukeHarperWWE have driven @WWEDanielBryan through the announce desk! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/aHDtWeeBYW

— WWE (@WWE) September 18, 2019

Grade: B-

All of the stories are moving along nicely on SmackDown Live. Kingston-Lesnar is a great hook for the first show on Fox. Carmella made her return to the ring to lend Charlotte some backup. Shinsuke Nakamura and Ali’s feud appears to be back on, which could lead to some barn burners. The show was light on good in-ring action, but as a story-telling show did a good job.

One More Thing: 

The Coronation of King Corbin was tonight, and of course it didn’t go well. The rightful king Chad Gable was summoned by Corbin, and took him down into the throne. He destroyed most of the “king gimmick” stuff, meaning we may be spared from another over-the-top king costume.