The John Report: WWE Smackdown 10/21/22 Review

This week’s edition of WWE Smackdown featured Sheamus taking on Solo Sikoa, a Women’s Tag Team Title match, Liv Morgan in action against Sonya Deville and an appearance from Logan Paul as well. Bray Wyatt was on the show as well.

From the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio this is Smackdown for episode #1209. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It was right to the action this week. Sheamus made his entrance with his Brawling Brutes buddies Butch & Ridge Holland as Michael Cole welcomed us to the show yelling “Fight Night” for the Brutes. While the announcers Michael Cole & Wade Barrett were running down the card, there was a Bray Wyatt graphic appeared with him saying “I’m here” as well.

Solo Sikoa was next joined by his brothers, the Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos and Sami Zayn, who was dancing like a fool like usual.

Sheamus (w/Butch & Ridge Holland) vs. Solo Sikoa (w/Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso & Sami Zayn)

Solo and Sheamus exchanged strikes to the face, Solo with an eye gouge and Sheamus bounced off the ropes with a clothesline. Sami was holding Jey back to prevent him from fighting on the floor. Solo got some offense going with a headbutt, he tried a hiptoss, Sheamus blocked it and hit a clothesline. Sheamus grounded Solo with an armbar on the mat. Solo came back with a spinning heel kick with Sami celebrating that move. Sheamus sent Solo to the apron, but Solo fought back to prevent the forearm smashes and pulled Sheamus out of the ring. Solo charged, with a running hip attack on the left arm/shoulder of Sheamus, who was against the steel steps. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Solo remained on offense in the ring as he hit a running hip attack on Sheamus against the turnbuckle. Solo really does that move well. Solo stalled a bit and tried it again leading to Sheamus jumping back up with a clothesline. Sheamus worked over Solo with a few short clotheslines followed by the White Noise slam with Sheamus doing a nice job of selling the left arm injury. Sheamus went to the turnbuckle, Solo wrenched on the left arm and Solo hit a Samoan Drop off the middle rope for a two count. Cole made a point to say that Sheamus landed hard on his left arm/shoulder with Barrett putting over the move. Sheamus used some elbows to fight out of a move leading to Sheamus hitting a powerslam. Sheamus worked over Solo with forearm smashes to the chest, then some punches to the back after Solo collapsed and the fans were cheering for Sheamus. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick, Solo avoided it and Sheamus hit a knee to the face. Zayn distracted the referee, so that led to the Brutes and Bloodline guys fighting on the floor. The Usos flipped the announce table onto Butch and Holland. Sheamus jumped off the top with a double clothesline on both Usos. Zayn held onto the foot of Sheamus, the referee didn’t see that and Solo kicked the left arm of Sheamus. Solo hit the Spinning Solo uranage slam for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Solo Sikoa

Analysis: ***1/2 It was yet another “banger” match for Sheamus as he likes to say. Solo got plenty of offense, then the babyface Sheamus made the comeback and the action picked up in the last few minutes. The numbers game played a factor with Solo hitting his Spinning Solo slam on Sheamus after Zayn held onto the leg of Sheamus. It was a hard-hitting match as expected. They continue to book Solo in a strong manner because he wins most of his matches and beating a guy like Sheamus is a huge win in Solo’s career.

Post match, the Bloodline foursome attacked Sheamus on the floor. Jimmy placed a chair over the left arm of Sheamus and Jey used a steel chair to hit the left arm of Sheamus repeatedly. Jey smashed the chair a few times and Sami told Jey to stop. The fans were booing loudly while Sheamus was down selling the left arm injury.

Analysis: That was a vicious attack on the left arm. I think the WarGames match at Survivor Series is going to be The Bloodline against five faces and just based on what we saw here, Sheamus could be one of those guys they are against. That’s just my hunch at this point anyway.

Bray Wyatt was up next.

(Commercial)

They showed a replay of last week’s Smackdown with Rey Mysterio wanting to quit, but Triple H talked him out of it. Rey was placed into a number one contender’s match for a shot at the Intercontinental Title and Rey got the win. That means Rey will challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Title.

Rey Mysterio was shown earlier in the day with Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci mocking Rey. Kaiser told Rey that when he faces Gunther, it will be the end of Rey. That led to Rey saying that Smackdown is a new beginning and this is what he needed. Rey said he’s not looking for trouble, but he doesn’t appreciate being disrespected. That led to Rey issuing a challenge and Kaiser accepted it.

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett were shown on commentary with their table fixed. Cole mentioned the most talked about story in sports entertainment and professional wrestling. It’s the Bray Wyatt story.

Let’s Hear from Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt was shown in a darkened part of the building. Bray said he used to say all the time that revenge is the confession of pain. Bray said that confessing things can help. Bray confessed that he has always had problems and it’s not hard for people to say. Bray talked about how the anger takes him to dark places, but for whatever reason, he gets chances that most people don’t get. Bray said he was okay with being left alone, but he confesses that he needed all of you. Bray said you told him what to do without having to tell him and he’s thankful for that. Bray said now he can see, he knows “who you are” and he knows what you’re trying to do, but it won’t work. Bray said that he confesses he’ll do horrible things, but he’ll never feel sorry for them. Bray: “I’m just a servant now. I go where the circle takes me.” He winked at the camera to end it.

Analysis: It was only a couple of minutes of Bray talking to the camera, but he said a lot. I think early on he was talking to the fans with his message and then when he said “who you are” it was a reference to the evil part of his mind referring to when he was The Fiend in the past. It’s hard to really know where it’s all going, but I like that it’s a mystery and they are taking time to let it play out rather than rush it.

The Bloodline was shown in the locker room celebrating Solo Sikoa’s win. Sami Zayn said that Solo has been a gem for The Bloodline and he’s doing so good. Sami said that they sent a message to the locker room that nobody messes with The Bloodline. Jey said that when Logan Paul gets here, they will get his ass too. Sami claimed that Roman said that they should not get involved with Logan Paul at all. Sami said they don’t want Logan to think that he has gotten to The Bloodline. Sami said it wouldn’t be “very ucey” and Jey reluctantly said that Sami was right. Jey yelled that he was a hothead, so we’ll see by the end of the night what really happens. Jey left on his own.

Analysis: It’s a good way to tease something happening between The Bloodline and Logan Paul later in the show. That keeps the viewers interested in what’s coming later.

(Commercial)

Liv Morgan made her entrance with some different style gear although she was still smiling as usual. Sonya Deville entered with Cole saying he had the “fire & desire” which was the name of Sonya’s team with Mandy Rose in the past. They showed the clip from last week to set up this match with Liv driving Sonya through a table in a backstage segment.

Liv Morgan vs. Sonya Deville

Morgan hit the backstabber (double knees) to the back along with a corner splash. Morgan tried a backslide, Deville got back up and hit a knee to the face for two. Deville sent Morgan’s face into the turnbuckle repeatedly. Morgan was laughing about it. Morgan came back with some punches, then Morgan got a kick to the face and Deville kicked Morgan off the apron to the floor. Morgan was laughing again.

(Commercial)

Morgan hit a back elbow on a charging Deville, then kicks to the body and Morgan hit a step up enziguri. Morgan hit a back splash in the corner, then a running knee and Morgan jumped off the ropes with nothing, so Deville hit her with a knee to the face. Deville sent Morgan into the turnbuckle. Deville worked over Morgan with four kicks while Morgan was on her knees, Morgan told her to bring it and Deville hit a knee strike for two. Morgan dared Deville to hit her, then Morgan punched Deville out of the ring. Morgan sent Deville into the commentary table, the ring apron and into the barricade. Morgan sent Deville into the steel steps repeatedly. The referee Jessika Carr was counting, so she reached ten and it was a double countout. It went about nine minutes.

Match Result: Double Countout

Analysis: **1/4 The match was okay with the goal seeming to be a way to push the story that Morgan likes taking punishment and dishing it out. I don’t really like the finish because it makes Morgan look foolish by being satisfied with a double countout instead of trying to win the match. Deville got plenty of offense, but she wasn’t really put in a spot where it looked like she might win.

Morgan grabbed chairs from under the ring and the fans chanted “we want tables” for Morgan, who put six chairs into the ring. Morgan was on the middle rope as she delivered a superplex onto the pile of steel chairs. The crowd popped for it. Morgan was laughing. Barrett said she’s a sadist, a masochist and she’s out of her damn mind. Morgan was laughing about it.

Analysis: This was all about angle advancement for Morgan’s new character liking the pain and dishing it out as I mentioned. The crowd wanted the table spot, but they just went for the suplex on the chairs, which was fine because it drew a big reaction.

A video aired about LA Knight letting us know it’s the megastar’s game referring to himself. It was just a short video.

Braun Strowman and Omos meet face to face up next.

This Monday on Raw: Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a non-title match. That’s all they advertised in the commercial.

(Commercial)

A video aired about the Viking Raiders and Sarah Logan under whatever her new name is. Erik of the VR team is married to Sarah in case you don’t know and they have a kid together. They talked about preaching patience and they are ready. She said: “Valhalla awaits.” That was it.

Face To Face: Braun Strowman and Omos

Braun Strowman made his entrance for the face-to-face segment with the announcers putting over just how big Strowman is. Strowman said to look at him saying he’s not somebody that’s easy to miss. Strowman said if you have a problem with him, he’s not hard to find. Strowman talked about how he heard MVP on Raw, so he wanted to come out here with Omos right now so they can look in the eyes of a real monster.

MVP made his entrance alone saying that at no point has he referred to him as anything less other than a monster of a man. MVP talked about how Braun is always the biggest and strongest. MVP said that is until last week when he found himself in the vicinity of a literal Nigerian giant named Omos. MVP said that the WWE Universe believes Strowman is the Monster of all Monsters. MVP advised Strowman to not go face-to-face with Omos because then he’d get exposed. Strowman challenged Omos to a match at Crown Jewel. MVP accepted. MVP talked about Omos throwing him around like a child and Braun said he’s more for action than talking. MVP introduced Omos, who made his entrance from the back.

Omos made his entrance wearing a suit as he walked down to the ring and stood face-to-face with Strowman. Omos is 7’3” tall so he had about five inches over Strowman, who had to look up at him. Omos did a big shove that sent Strowman out of the ring. Strowman smiled about it: “Okay, big boy.” MVP made Omos leave as the big men exchanged words from a distance.

Analysis: They kept that very simple with Omos looking impressive by shoving Strowman out of the ring. It’s an attraction match for Crown Jewel. I don’t expect it to go very long or anything like that, but I think it will be interesting to see how they do the match between two giants.

They showed the clip from last week when Drew McIntyre attacked Karrion Kross in the parking lot.

Drew McIntyre was interviewed by Kayla Braxton, who mentioned that she heard upper management wasn’t happy about what Drew did last week. Drew said that Karrion Kross pushed him past his breaking point. Drew said that if Drew and Kross get in eachother’s way, there will be severe consequences according to upper management. Drew said that they all agreed that this has to end at Karrion Kross and it will at Crown Jewel when Drew faces Kross in a Steel Cage Match. Drew seemed happy about it.

Analysis: Kross won at Extreme Rules because of Scarlett getting involved, so it makes sense to do a Steel Cage Match to prevent interference. I think Drew should win this match.

They showed Logan Paul arriving in a black truck.

The Damage CTRL team of Dakota Kai & IYO SKY entered as the Women’s Tag Team Champions with Bayley joining them. Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi entered as the opponents on Shotzi’s tank and that match is up next.

A commercial aired for NXT Halloween Havoc on Saturday night. Check out my preview on TJRWrestling here. I will do a live review on TJRWrestling on Saturday night.

(Commercial)

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Dakota Kai & IYO SKY (w/Bayley) vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi

Raquel blocked a Kai kick and brought in Shotzi leading to a double team slam/neckbreaker combo move. Shotzi hit a running cannonball splash on Kai in the corner. Sky pulled Kai out of the ring to save her partner, so Raquel took them out on the floor. Shotzi jumped off Raquel’s shoulders with a diving attack onto both opponents on the floor. Raquel put Kai on her shoulders, Shotzi jumped off the top with a missile dropkick and it was a rough landing for Kai, but she was okay as Shotzi got a two count. Raquel with a shoulder tackle, then Shotzi back in with a back splash for a two count and Bayley was concerned. Sky got the tag, Shotzi was chasing after Kai and Sky hit a springboard dropkick to knock Shotzi out of the ring. They went to a break there.

(Commercial)

The heels were in control as Shotzi fought out of the corner and kicked Sky away. Raquel tagged in with punches/clotheslines and a fallaway slam on Sky across the ring. Raquel with a fallaway slam on Kai as well. Raquel teased a superplex on Sky, Shotzi splashed Kai in the corner and Sky jumped off the top with a DDT on Raquel for two. That was a great spot. Sky is so damn good in the ring. Sky jumped off the top with a moonsault, Raquel hit her with a clothesline and Sky hit did a flip bump. Raquel and Shotzi hit a double team slam on Sky. Kai broke free from a Raquel move to break up the pin attempt. Kai did a leg scissors that sent Raquel over the top to the floor. Bayley to the apron, Shotzi punched her out and Sky hit an Air Raid Crash. Sky up top and she hit the Over The Moonsault on Shotzi for the pinfall win after ten minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Dakota Kai & IYO SKY

Analysis: *** A pretty good tag team match. Bayley caused Shotzi to be distracted so she can knock Bayley off the apron and Sky capitalized. It was the usual formula for any tag team match with Raquel where she was the face in peril and her partner got pinned because they rarely have Raquel lose matches.

Ronda Rousey was interviewed by Kayla Braxton, who asked if Rousey wanted to do an open challenge like she did in the past. Rousey said that she owes the fans nothing and said she gave everything she had, but she got hate for it. Rousey said she ripped the title off glitter Cinderella to spite the fans now they’re stuck with the best. Rousey said she’ll do an open challenge next week when she feels like – she just wants to get the hell out of Ohio.

Analysis: Total heel promo from Rousey with her trashing the fans while acting like a conceited jerk. Good. She’s better as a heel.

There was a creepy video that we have seen featuring symbols with Bray Wyatt in the past and had comments about how you lie to the ones you love. It ended with “Mr. Howdy” saying “howdy” at the end of it.

What in the world?!#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/LzFbL7MT3h

— WWE (@WWE) October 22, 2022

(Commercial)

There was a video featuring George Kittle of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers talking about how October 23rd is National Tight Ends Day in the NFL. The Miz also appeared in the video saying it’s “National Tights End Day” and it’s going to be awesome. Kittle is a huge wrestling fan, so the promo by him was good.

Legado Del Fantasma was shown in a backstage segment with Santos Escobar talking about how the group is growing stronger. Escobar mentioned how they acquired Zelina Vega. That led to Vega saying she’s been successful at everything she has ever done. Vega said that they are head and shoulders over everybody else. Escobar said that they are an unbreakable force fueled by tradition and heritage. Escobar said that their legacy begins by destroying Hit Row.

Analysis: I liked the group a lot in NXT and Zelina is a perfect fit for them. They should do well.

Hit Row was shown watching on a TV backstage. Top Dolla ripped on them for being short, Ashante “Thee Adonis” said he was tired of getting jumped by them and B-Fab said she had a plan. They left.

Rey Mysterio made his entrance to a good pop. It was announced that Rey will challenge GUNTHER for the Intercontinental Title on Smackdown in two weeks. Ludwig Kaiser was joined by Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER and Giovanni Vinci as the Imperium group was united as usual.

Rey Mysterio vs. Ludwig Kaiser (w/GUNTHER & Giovanni Vinci)

Kaiser with a headlock takedown, Rey came back with a kick to the head, Rey with a back elbow and when Rey tried a leap off the ropes, Kaiser punched Rey to knock him down. Rey sent Kaiser into the ropes, then Vinci and Gunther distracted Rey, who knocked Kaiser out of the ring to the floor. Rey tried an attack, Kaiser moved and Kaiser hit an uppercut leading to a break.

(Commercial)

Rey avoided a charging Kaiser, who kicked the turnbuckle because Rey moved out of the way. Rey went up top, Kaiser stopped him there and they battled on the top rope. Rey fought back with punches to knock Kaiser down. Rey jumped off the top with a senton splash along with a springboard cross body block for two. Rey rolled through a pin attempt leading to a kick to the head along with a springboard moonsault on Kaiser for two. Rey worked over Kaiser with repeated punches to the head, then an Eddie Guerrero shake leading to “Eddie” chants. Rey headbutted Kaiser while was on the top turnbuckle and Rey hit a top rope hurricanrana for a two count. Rey up top again, Kaiser stopped him and Rey hit a headscissors that sent Kaiser over the top to the floor. Rey missed a dive on the floor when Kaiser moved, so Rey hit the barricade. Rey threw a steel chair at Gunther, who punched the chair. The referee saw that, so Gunter/Vinci were ejected by referee Dan Engler. Cole correctly pointed out that was an Eddie Guerrero trick. Rey kicked Kaiser to knock him down. Rey up top, Rey with a splash, Kaiser got the knees up and got a two count. The fans chanted “619” for Rey. Kaiser went for a move, Rey got out of it and sent Kaiser into the ropes with a headscissors. Rey hit the 619 kick followed by a springboard top rope splash for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Rey Mysterio

Analysis: ***1/4 That was a fun match with Rey doing all of his classic spots along with a bit of an Eddie Guerrero tribute as well. Kaiser really didn’t have a shot here because you know Rey was going to win to keep his momentum going ahead of his IC Title match with Gunther in two weeks. Lots of good spots in the match with Kaiser selling well and also has some good offense. I enjoyed it. The fans were into it too.

Logan Paul was shown walking backstage where he looked at The Bloodline’s locker room door backstage. That main event segment was up next.

A commercial aired for Crown Jewel on November 5th promoting Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley. That’s going to be great.

(Commercial)

Next week on Smackdown on FS1 for those of you in the US:

* Ronda Rousey has an open challenge.

* Hit Row and a partner vs. Legado Del Fantasma in a six-man tag team match.

* Roman Reigns returns.

* Ridge Holland & Butch vs. Sami Zayn & Solo Sikoa.

Analysis: It’s on FS1 because the MLB World Series will be on regular Fox. It will probably be the least-watched episode of Smackdown this year. They are taping two episodes next week because the following week is when most of the roster will be in Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel. I’m surprised they didn’t plug the FS1 thing more.

There was a recap of Sheamus getting attacked by The Bloodline earlier in the show. Sheamus is under observation at a hospital. That’s the update.

Let’s Hear from Logan Paul

Logan Paul made his entrance as photos were shown of Logan training with Shawn Michaels. Reigns trashed Logan for it. Logan said that it was great to be back in Ohio. Logan said he knows people doubt him, but he’s been doubted his whole life and look where he is now. Logan said he’s confident in himself and his abilities. Logan said he didn’t need a penguin-looking Paul Heyman, then he ripped on The Usos for being the same guy, then said he’s never seen Solo Sikoa by himself and doesn’t have any friends that look like Sami Zayn. Logan said that he knows he is the underdog because nobody is expecting him to beat Roman Reigns. Logan asked what happens if he does win? Logan wondered what would happen if he turned Roman’s “tribe” into a cleanup crew.

Jey Uso attacked Logan from behind in the ring. Jey punched Logan repeatedly. The other Bloodline guys weren’t there as Jey dropped Logan with a superkick. Jey hit a running hip attack on Logan in the corner. Sami Zayn was on the apron telling Jey that he told Jey not to do this. Sami said it’s not coming from him, it’s coming from The Tribal Chief. Jey charged for a hip attack, Logan avoided it and Logan decked Jey with a punch. Cole called it “one lucky shot” while Jey was out in the ring. Cole made the point that if Logan can connect with one right hand, we could have a new champion. Zayn was frustrated as Logan left the ring and went to the back.

They showed Logan Paul smiling by the entrance area. Jey was seated up against the turnbuckle holding his jaw while Sami checked on him. Logan was smiling again and that was the end of the show.

Analysis: I thought Logan Paul’s promo was pretty good. He was less nervous than he has been in the past and made his points well. The “one lucky shot” thing is something they have pushed for weeks going back to the Crown Jewel press conference with the story being that if Logan gets that punch, maybe he can beat Reigns. That’s why Jey sold it like he was knocked out to put over the idea that Logan can knock somebody out with a punch. It accomplished the goal of furthering the story that maybe Logan has a shot against Reigns. Zayn trying to calm down Jey continues the story that Jey is a “hothead” as they like to say and that’s why Jey was alone in his attack on Logan without anybody joining him. Good storytelling in this segment.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Rey Mysterio
2. Sheamus/Solo Sikoa
3. Dakota Kai & IYO SKY

The Scoreboard

7.75 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

Final Thoughts

I thought it was a very good show overall. Some entertaining matches throughout along with story advancement since they added two more matches to Crown Jewel. The Strowman-Omos confrontation was basic while leaving the audience wanting more. Drew McIntyre getting Karrion Kross in a Steel Cage match at Crown Jewel makes sense.

The Solo/Sheamus match was a lot of fun and The Bloodline continues their momentum while also injuring Sheamus after the match, so that should lead to Sheamus coming after them. Rey Mysterio looked great against Ludwig Kaiser. The Liv Morgan match against Sonya Deville was all about pushing Liv’s new character direction where she likes the pain and can dish it out too.

Bray Wyatt did a backstage promo that was really well done as usual by him. The mysterious video aired as well, so that furthers the story. I like that WWE is being patient with it and not rushing things. I’m certainly intrigued by it.

The next WWE Premium Live Event is Crown Jewel on Saturday, November 5th. Here’s the lineup so far.

* Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Logan Paul

* Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

* The OC – AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. The Judgment Day – Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio (w/Rhea Ripley)

* Steel Cage Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross

* Braun Strowman vs. Omos

You can watch WWE Crown Jewel on Saturday, November 5, at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, streaming live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and on WWE Network everywhere else.

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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter @johnreport