WWE Network Reviews: WWE Talking Smack for 06-26-21
Hey yo. It’s time for the WWE Talking Smack recap for June 26. It was an eventful edition of Smackdown on Friday night, so let’s see how WWE follows up on it.
The show was hosted by Kayla Braxton and Smackdown announcer Pat McAfee, who was filling in for Paul Heyman. It is likely a storyline absence for Heyman. Kayla said it was a breath of fresh air having McAfee there. They talked about excitement coming soon when the fans are back in a few weeks. They spoke about Edge’s surprising return with Edge showing up and they both said that Edge was ready. Kayla and Pat wondered what this means. The coronation of King Shinsuke Nakamura was the next subject with McAfee talking about how there’s been too much magic and majesty with the Nakamura/Rick Boogs pairing. They joked that maybe it’s “King-shuke Nakamura now.” They talked about their guests coming up: Carmella, Big E & Seth Rollins.
There was a commercial for the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on Sunday, July 18. A commercial aired for WWE “coming home” on the road start on July 16 in Houston for Smackdown.
The first guest was Carmella. There were two makeup ladies there touching up Carmella’s makeup and Carmella had some champagne with her. McAfee was asked if there was a vote or survey about Carmella being the most beautiful woman in WWE. There was not much of an answer. Carmella was celebrating her entry in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and she took a selfie. Carmella said she’s in because she’s Carmella, which doesn’t offer much. Carmella was mocking Kayla’s hair and attire. Carmella said nobody is counting Liv Morgan victories and she said that Liv has never been in a Money in the Bank match while Carmella has been in four with two wins. Carmella claimed that Kayla was jealous of her. Carmella wasn’t paying attention because she was using her phone as a mirror. Pat asked Carmella what happens if Liv is in the Money in the Bank match. Carmella dismissed Liv immediately. Carmella talked about the highlights of her match while talking about how great her gear looked and said that the result of this match did not matter. Carmella continued to put herself over.
TJR Thoughts: Carmella was very over the top here. Her character is that of a woman with a huge ego, so of course, that’s what she did in that interview. Even though Carmella lost to Liv Morgan in back-to-back weeks, she dismissed the loss as nothing and continued to put herself over.
A commercial aired for the Broken Skull Sessions interview that Steve Austin did with Mick Foley. Read my review of that show here. There was a commercial for SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21 in Las Vegas. Tickets on sale now.
The next guest was Big E, who qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Big E was wearing a New Day shirt. Big E was seated in a very small chair, so Pat and Big E switched spots. Big E said it’s his first time in Money in the Bank and he thinks it’ll be a lot of fun. Pat said that the memories will last forever. Pat said that Big E was the most powerful guy he has seen. Big E said that the win was real sweet. Big E said that he’s been a bit of a lull post Mania and he said he used to put the Intercontinental Title on the passenger seat. Big E said that after being Mr. Money in the Bank, he wants to interrupt matches and keep people on their toes. Big E did a Power of Positivity speech with Pete believing in him with Big E saying he would be the new Mr. Money in the Bank. Pat said that was magic in the Power of Positivity. Pat said he thought Big E is going to win that thing. Big E asked Pat when he’s going to get back into the ring. Big E went into Power of Positivity mode again saying he was impressed with Pat McAfee and he said that Pat has got it. McAfee was stunned by it. McAfee said that he appreciated Big E’s comments, but he could barely walk for a month. Big E and Pat did some dancing after that.
TJR Thoughts: That was awesome as expected with Big E as an entertaining babyface. I liked the confidence shown by Big E while McAfee added a lot to the interview by putting over Big E and having fun with him. It wouldn’t have been like that with Paul Heyman around, so at least there was a bit of a different feel to it. Big E has a lot of confidence going into Money in the Bank, the hosts believe in him and I think the fans do too. I’m interested to see if Big E can win Money in the Bank because I think he should win.
A commercial aired encouraging fans to get the Covid vaccine. I got my second shot on Saturday. Glad to do it and glad to be done. There was a commercial for Monday’s Raw with Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles in a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Next week on Smackdown: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn in a Last Man Standing Match that’s also a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
The next guest was Seth Rollins wearing a leopard-colored jacket. Rollins congratulated McAfee for doing a good job on Smackdown. Rollins said that Pat might hurt his neck during some of the Nakamura entrances. Rollins talked about how he dominated Cesaro at Hell in a Cell and then he beat a Smackdown champion Bianca Belair on Smackdown. Kayla asked Rollins about the return of Edge, who attacked Roman Reigns, so Kayla asked if Rollins was worried about Edge? Seth claimed that he was promised the match, but Kayla said that they would take it under consideration. Rollins said he was given a yes. Kayla said that there’s some exclusive footage from Smackdown.
There was a video shown of Edge walking backstage into the office of WWE Official Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Edge said he wants the match he should have had at WrestleMania: Edge vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship one on one. Pearce said he’s got his match.
Rollins claimed he got no audio, so they informed Seth that Roman Reigns vs. Edge is on for Universal Championship at Money in the Bank. Rolins was stunned by that and he said it can’t be. Rollins claimed that it was promised to him. Rollins said he has never been more ready in his entire life and he deserves the opportunity, not Edge. Rollins said that there’s gotta be something they can do. Rollins yelled that he didn’t care what Edge wants. Rollins said he’s been there every day, he doesn’t take months off, Seth is there every day busting his ass and he deserves that title match. Rollins left saying he has to talk to somebody.
Kayla and Pat talked about the official news of Reigns defending the Universal Title against Edge. Pat said it was an honor to be there and this was a blast. End show.
This episode had a runtime of 27:39.
TJR Thoughts: Good way to end it with Rollins freaking out. Seth was confident and happy in the first part of the interview, but then he turned into an angry madman by the end of it because of the Money in the Bank news. I think the obvious route for the story is that Rollins may do something to cost Edge the Universal TItle at Money in the Bank, which would then lead to Edge vs. Rollins for the first time ever at SummerSlam in August. Since we know it’s likely Reigns vs. John Cena at SummerSlam, that’s a way to set up two of the big matches.
It was a fun show as usual. Thanks for reading.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport