WWE’s UK tour is on, and we have witnessed a decent weekly episode of SmackDown from the O2 arena in London. It was a go-home show for WWE Money in the Bank, and we are less than 24 hours away from the premium live event. The SmackDown episode featured the continuation of The Bloodline Civil War and multiple Title defenses. Let’s look at everything that happened on SmackDown before Money in the Bank.
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Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Pretty Deadly
The show kicked off with a Tag Titles match with the champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn defending against Pretty Deadly. The crowd was energetic and firmly behind Zayn. It was a nice Tag match with good action at the ringside. Pretty Deadly members were brilliant with their double-team moves. They nearly won the tag titles after hitting their finisher on KO as Zayn broke the pin. Sami hits a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Kit Wilson rolls away, and Elton Prince sneaks in. In the end, Sami gets the pin after a successful Helluva Kick on Kit Wilson.
Winners: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
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Grade: B+
Analysis:-
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Let Sami and KO defend themselves in the UK is a good step. Pretty Deadly has been impressive thus far on the main roster. They use mindful tactics in their try to win a match. The future seems bright for this tag team.
Austin Theory vs. Ridge Holland
Next up was a United States Championship contender match. If Ridge Holland could beat Austin Theory, he would get a US Title match in the future. Holland gets the early advantage and hits a series of suplexes. The match’s finish came out of nowhere as Holland lost to a throat kick and a drop kick.
Winner: Austin Theory
Grade: C
Analysis:-
The US Title is not as relevant as it was back in WrestleMania. A serious feud is required. It seems like Sheamus will be the next one to go for The US Championship.
Bayley vs. Shotzi
Shotzi was looking for an opportunity to compete in the ladder match if she could somehow beat Bayley in a one-on-one match. It was a quick match. Bayley plants Shotzi with a Bayley-to-Belly early on, but Shotzi rolls away to escape the pin. A devastating running kick enables Shotzi to go for a pin, but Iyo Sky gets Bayley’s foot on the rope. A Rose Plant, in the end, helps Bayley get the win.
Bayley and Sky continue the attack on Shotzi backstage. Bayley cuts Shotzi’s hair with scissors.
Winner: Bayley
Grade: C-
Analysis:
This felt like a filler, and the crowd was not invested in this bout. Bayley is surely a contender to win Women’s MITB this year. With Bayley and Iyo Sky belonging to Damage CTRL competing in the ladder match, let’s see if they stay on the same page.
Grayson Waller Effect with Logan Paul
Logan Paul was a guest on Grayson Waller Effect. The crowd booed him. He claims to get the World Title and talks trash about LA Knight. This leads to Knight coming out with a huge pop from the audience. Knight says that he has earned everything, while Logan gets every opportunity. Every SmackDown participant of the Men’s MITB match arrives one by one. Butch attacks Logan straight away, and a brawl begins.
Grade: B
Analysis:-
The crowd had a huge ovation for LA Knight. The crowd was chanting Bruiserweight on Butch’s arrival. Things are all set for the Men’s MITB ladder match.
Butch vs. LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar
The brawl is followed by a triple-threat match between Butch, LA Knight and Santos Escobar. Butch was getting a good reaction, thanks to his good old NXT UK days. Everyone got the time to showcase their abilities. LA Knight took control early on, followed by Escobar’s dominance. Logan Paul and LA Knight confronted each other at the ringside. As Knight was down, Butch hit Bitter End on Santos to get the win. He posed with the briefcase in the end.
Winner: Butch
Grade: B+
Analysis:-
Butch, a UK-based wrestler getting the win, was a good move. However, this vanished his chances of winning the briefcase. LA Knight is so damn over with the WWE Universe.
Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
Asuka was defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair. Bianca Belair was banned from Ringside but bought a front-row ticket for the show. Flair dominated early on in the match. Asuka kicked out of the big boot. Charlotte hits a spear, but Asuka rolls out of the ring. The action continues at ringside, with Flair hitting a moonsault. In the end, Bianca gets her hands on Asuka to force a DQ finish. Bianca nailed her finisher KOD on both Asuka and Charlotte in the end. Flair was frustrated with Belair.
Winner: Asuka
Grade: C+
Analysis:-
WWE is showing a bit of a character shift for Bianca Belair. A 3-way feud is cooking up, possibly resulting in a triple threat match for the WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
The Bloodline Civil War Confrontation
Roman Reigns comes up with Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman. He calls the London crowd to acknowledge him. He says that The Usos are not the Ones; he’s the One. He cares about his cousins. He made them what they are right now. Reigns also gave The Usos another chance to come home and apologize to the Tribal Chief. The Usos came out and said that they would pin Roman Reigns. They even discussed Solo being the next Tribal Chief. Roman laughed at this, but Sikoa didn’t seem happy with Reigns’ laugh.
Jimmy hit a superkick to lay down Roman. Jey starts attacking Roman while Jimmy and Solo brawl at ringside. The security comes out. Reigns uses the situation to his advantage and hits a Superman Punch on Jey. The show goes off-air as Jey dives out on Roman and Solo.
Grade: A
Analysis:-
It was a good segment to hype up the fans for MITB Civil War. Solo’s turning on Roman teases continued. One thing is clear the finish at MITB will be chaotic.
It all went down at the go-home edition of WWE SmackDown for Money in the Bank premium live event.
