The much anticipated ‘SmackDown 900’ episode took place this week, and there was certainly plenty to look forward too. Sami Zayn’s opponent for Survivor Series would be decided in an Intercontinental Championship match between Dolph Ziggler and The Miz, plus long-term rivals Carmella and Nikki Bella would square off in singles action.
Not to mention a special ‘Cutting Edge’ with returning Hall of Famer, Edge, and perhaps most intriguingly, a rare appearance from The Undertaker. Just what would the ‘Deadman’ have in store for the WWE Universe?
WWE did a great job of making this show feel like a must-see event, but did it live up to the hype? Let’s take a look…
#1 Miz regains the Intercontinental Championship
The milestone show of SmackDown Live kicked off with the Intercontinental Title match and, in what must go down as a shock result, The Miz would win and regain the championship.
It was another good match, between these rivals with plenty of counters, which makes sense considering how many times the two men have faced off in recent months, and the usual shenanigans from the Spirit Squad and Maryse at ringside. It would be Maryse’s involvement that would prove decisive this time as she helped her husband pick up the win.
This result means that it will be Miz, who faces Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Title at Survivor Series. Will Dolph get involved this Sunday and cost not just Miz, but SmackDown Live as a whole, the Championship?
#2 Nattie channels Chumbawamba
There was another bizarre and awkward backstage segment with Natalya this week, as she would quote Chumbawamba to try and motivate Alexa Bliss, by saying, “when you get knocked down, you get up again, they’re never gonna keep you down”.
I’m all for showcasing some of Natalya’s quirky personality, but booking the most experienced and technically sound woman on the roster, as a joke, is surely not the best way to utilise her.
#3 Oney Lorcan on SmackDown
NXT’s Oney Lorcan, made a surprise appearance on this week’s Smackdown Live as he faced off against Kalisto. It was only a quick match that was used to give Kalisto some momentum before his Cruiserweight Championship match against Brian Kendrick at Survivor Series, but it was nonetheless interesting to see Lorcan on WWE TV.
Oney Lorcan is a solid talent and showed some of his intense, physical in-ring work in this brief match. While it is unlikely to lead anywhere significant for him, in regards to Smackdown, it is a show of confidence by WWE to use him on a landmark show like ‘SmackDown 900’.
#4 A message from The Rock
While it wasn’t one of his pre-recorded promos that he has been known to do over the years, The Rock did have a message for SmackDown on its 900th show. In an Instagram post, the ‘Great One’ congratulated WWE and the entire roster for the milestone show and told them to take care of ‘his show’.
It would have been nice for him to send in a video or make an appearance, but at least we got something from the man, that this show is named in honour of.
#5 All hail King Booker!
Before their match this Sunday, SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Heath Slater & Rhyno, brought in a motivational speaker to talk to the rest of SmackDown’s Survivor Series tag team contingent, and that man was none other than King Booker.
Reverting to his old gimmick, Booker T, attempted to inspire Team SmackDown Live, before being interrupted by Breezango, who issued the WWE Hall of Famer with a ticket for crimes against fashion. It was a fun backstage segment that helped build towards Survivor Series, and it was good to see one of SmackDown’s former Champions make an unexpected appearance.
All hail King Booker!!!
#6 Charlotte buys a ticket to SmackDown Live
During the Nikki Bella vs. Carmella match, Raw’s Women’s Champion Charlotte made her way through the crowd and took a seat in the front row to do a bit of scouting, before she takes on both these women at Survivor Series on Sunday.
However, as expected, Charlotte was not content with simply being a spectator and would provoke Nikki, who elbowed Raw’s team captain after which, things would break down resulting in the match ending in a no contest.
Nikki would get the upper hand over ‘The Queen’, but Charlotte didn’t come to SmackDown alone.
#7 Raw’s Women’s division invade Smackdown Live
Charlotte was saved by her Survivor Series teammates, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Alicia Fox and Nia Jax, and Dana Brooke, who inevitably tagged along too. This led to Team SmackDown rushing the ring and a brawl breaking out between WWE’s entire Women’s division.
This was a great brawl that the crowd was hot for, and after Nia Jax had gone crashing through the barricade at ringside, Team SmackDown got the upper hand and stood tall to end the segment. But will they get the better of Team Raw this Sunday at Survivor Series?
#8 16-man Tag match
It what was a predictably cluttered and rather messy match, the majority of Smackdown’s tag team Survivor Series contingent faced eight other men in a 16-man tag team match.
Despite having sixteen men in the ring to watch, it was Heath Slater & Rhyno, who were at ringside, that the WWE fans really wanted to see and they were cheered throughout the match.
The action was fine, and everybody got their signature moves in, but as always, these matches don’t really do anyone any favours as there is just too much going on. With 20 men set to be involved in the tag team Survivor Series match on Sunday, we can expect to see more of the same.
#9 Cutting Edge
Unfortunately, the much anticipated ‘Cutting Edge’ segment on this week’s Smackdown Live was disappointing and felt pointless.
This was not Edge’s fault, and the blame must go towards whoever booked this segment, as it did nothing to build towards Survivor Series this Sunday and, to be honest, the ‘Rated R Superstar’ didn’t really need to be there.
It’s a shame, as Edge could have been utilised much more than he was.
Would The Undertaker’s appearance have any more significance?
#10 The Undertaker is back
Again, not really. The Undertaker’s return was not anywhere near as newsworthy as people were expecting, but he did make a few interesting comments that gave the fans something to think about.
Firstly, The Undertaker said that he is back “taking souls and digging holes”, which suggests that this was not just a one-off appearance, and also claimed that WrestleMania would no longer define him; what does he mean by that? Finally, he had a warning for Team SmackDown Live as he said that if they fail at Survivor Series, they should fear the wrath of the ‘Deadman’.
This suggests that if Raw pick up the win this Sunday, we might see The Undertaker again, much sooner than many had expected.
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