With a bunch of WWE stars on the Japan Tour this week, fans should've expected this episode to be heavy on promo and light on action and that's what the first 40 minutes was with just a single match. Would the SmackDown writers dare give a gauntlet match where the fresher team wins almost every match? Would Tiffany Stratton take advantage of cashing in the contract if given the chance during a tag match?
Here's a rundown of what took place and how well it was pulled off.
LA Knight vs Santos Escobar: B-
Nothing really exciting prior to the first commercial break of the show, save for a 619 by Santos before the break. Afterwords though a big neckbreaker by Knight was countered with a tilt-a-whirl by Escobar. A little turnbuckle trash talk had the crowd in full boo mode, so Escobar was clearly doing his job. A change in momentum eventually led to a DDT and pin attempt and then Knight started a Torture Rack before Electra looked like she was coming in the ring. A power slam put Knight in firm control when Electra went to interfere again.
Here comes Logan Paul to the ring but Knight ducked the Big Right Hand and Knight caught him with a clothesline. Escobar tried to take advantage of the distraction with a Phantom Driver but Knight slipped out, delivered a BFT and got the three count.
Of course another Logan Paul sneak attack, but the tide turns Knight about to get the kill shot when Escobar recovers and catches him with a super kick. The two beat on Knight, ending with a Paul Frog Smash.
Logan Paul promo: D
What was that? That may have been the worst promo I've seen in the last few months. It's like everyone feels intimidated by how good Knight is on the mic and cuts trash promos when they beef with him.
Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill In-Ring Promo: B
Shocker, they were waiting for Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre to come down the ramp and they snuck into the back of the ring. Belair and Cargill delivered the beatdown, and the world got to watch Belair and Cargill.
Street Profits with Terence Crawford Promo: A
Whoopin' feet reference, Black Air Force energy... that's how to nail a 60-second promo
Tag Team Gauntlet for No. 1 Contender: Grade B+
- Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews def ] Legado Del Fantasma: Angel and Berto: Grade B
Corbin and Crews are actually really good wrestlers and sellers who just haven't been blessed with good storylines. - Street Profits def Corbin and Crews: Grade B-
Great high flying action, Street Profits don't sell all that great in this match. Stereo suicide dives was cool. - Street Profits def Pretty Deadly: Grade B
Worked on Montez Ford's left leg for about 7 minutes with good tag sequencing, but Street Profits eventually landed a Blockbuster From the Heavens - Street Profits def The OC: Grade B
Somehow Angelo Dawkins escapes and rolls up for the pin. - The Bloodline: Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga def Street Profits: Grade A
Bro, Fatu is violent in everythig he does. Tremendous showing from Ford and Dawkins.
A-Town Down Under, Terence Crawford Promo: C+
The hometown kid for Friday's show has a matchup against Madrimov the same night as SummerSlam and made an appearance last week to tease this crossover. Predictable, but still funny that Grayson Waller setup Austin Theory to get knocked out in the ring by Crawford.
Michin, Bayley vs Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton: C+
Jax and Stratton come out during Michin's introduction and take her out of action before Bayley could step in. Bayley goes into the match short handed and proceeds to rain punches down on Stratton before the match settles in. Bailey takes a 15-minute beatdown with Michin somehow unable to ever get up for longer than 10 seconds outside of the ring. Finally Michin gets involved, but the match ends with a breifcase to Bayley's face and then an Annihalator on Bayley for the "tag" win.
