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Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with a very special episode of Miz TV. Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were in the ring with only the SmackDown members from each team. Miz announced both teams before Hogan and Flair mouthed off against each other.
Hogan said Flair was never able to beat him and neither will his team manage it. Sami Zayn went after Shorty G and Gables team stood up for him. The teams were about to start a fight an team Hogan wanted a match but Sami weaseled out of it. Sami said he had neck issues and instead called out Cesaro who would take his place.
A brawl broke out as soon as Cesaro walked up and it devolved into chaos within seconds. Team Hogan managed to fight the heels off and Team Flair retreated backstage.
Segment rating: A
The New Day vs. Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler
Kofi and Ziggler kicked us off and Roode stepped in with a shot from the outside, dropping Kofi off the ropes. Big E came in during commercials and Ziggler was in trouble. E launched Kofi over the ropes and onto Dolph before Roode came in. Roode took out E and Dolph got a rollup on Kofi for the win.
Result: Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler def. The New Day
The Revival rushed the ring and attacked The New Day with the help of Roode & Ziggler before Heavy Machinery came out to assist their pals. The heels were driven away before we saw the Lucha House party watching the proceeding from backstage.
Match rating: B
Rey Mysterio, Dominik and Cain Velasquez were backstage, talking strategy.
We got a recap of Tyson Fury and Braun Strowman's feud as the show progressed. Apparently Fury's training wasn't going as well as he had hoped.
Lacey Evans vs. Promotional Talent
Lacey got on the mic and said she didn't even want to face an unworthy opponent. Lacey walked out of the ring as the referee counted to nine but then ran back in and took out her opponent with the Woman's Right and got the pinfall.
Result: Lacey Evans def. Promotional Talent
Match rating: B
Nikki Cross was in an interview with Michael Cole and said that she was ready to face Bayley soon and would face Mandy Rose tonight.
Firefly Fun House was back and it was the funeral for Ramblin' Rabbit who passed away during Seth's attack. Wyatt took Ramblin's bloody carcass and said his goodbyes but he came back to life but Mercy the Buzzard then tried to eat him. That was it for Firefly Fun House and the set was not as 'burned down' as we thought it would be.
Segment rating: B
Kalisto vs. Drew Gulak
Gulak got on the mic and went on again about his slideshow about how Braun can beat Fury. We barely got to slide two when Kalisto attacked Gulak. Drew was in control when Braun Strowman made his entrance and Kalisto used the distraction to hit the Salida Del Sol for the win.
Result: Kalisto def. Drew Gulak
Braun took out Gulak with two power slams as a warning to Fury.
Match rating: C
Cole was interviewing Daniel Bryan in the ring and asked him if the Yes movement was back. Before he could answer, Shinsuke and Sami Zayn came out to remind Bryan of his metamorphosis into 'The New Daniel Bryan'. He said it was the real Daniel Bryan and asked him to join them. Bryan instead turned his back and walked off, having not said a word.
Segment rating: B
Mandy Rose vs. Nikki Cross
Bayley and Sasha Banks were at the commentary table, watching the match. Cross hit an early crossbody for a near fall. DeVille ran towards the ring but was kicked down by but only after hitting a big punch to Cross. Back in the ring, Nikki took out Mandy for an easy pinfall.
Result: Nikki Cross def. Mandy Rose
Match rating: B
Rey Mysterio was out with Cain Velasquez and was demanding a face-to-face with Brock Lesnar. Heyman and Lesnar appeared on the Titantron and said that they weren't getting it. Paul was threatening Mysterio and it turned down that Lesnar was beating the crap out of Dominik backstage. Cain and Rey rushed out of the ring as we headed for a break.
They rescued Dom but Lesnar attacked them from behind. The champ threw Rey into a wall and hit an F5 to Cain, dropping him on Dominik before the carnage ended.
Segment rating: A
Cain Velasquez was in the locker room where Rey and he got beaten moments ago. He was yelling in anger and threatening Lesnar in Spanish.
Shinsuke Nakamura, Baron Corbin & Cesaro vs. Roman Reigns, Shorty G & Ali
The match turned into an all-out brawl right off the bat before Corbin & Reigns kicked off the match properly. Nakamura and Gable were in next before Ali was tagged in for a double team. Ali hit a big kick on Cesaro and got a near fall before Nakamura ran a distraction.
Corbin was tagged in and took out Ali before we headed for commercials. We returned to see Shorty G and Corbin face off in the ring and Gable was in full control. Gable hit the moonsault for a near fall before Shinsuke took him out with the running knee.
Corbin and Shinsuke went at Gable but took a double missile dropkick from up high. Roman got the tag and almost go the pin on Cesaro. Cesaro hit a sharpshooter but Ali broke the hold. A flurry of moves from the six men followed before Roman reversed the neutralizer and hit a spear. He tagged in Ali, letting him pin Cesaro for the win.
Result: Roman Reigns, Shorty G & Ali def. Shinsuke Nakamura, Baron Corbin & Cesaro
Match rating: A
Episode rating: B
Not much happened in the first half but the show picked up by the end. A great segment from Lesnar and Cain stole the show, followed by the Hogan-Flair feud.
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