10/1 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on WWE Draft, Extreme Rules fallout, Edge’s return

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
OCTOBER 1, 2021
BALTIMORE, MD AT ROYAL FARMS ARENA
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

*Note: I’m very excited for this episode as the WWE Draft is one of my favorite shows of the year. I’m very interested to see where everyone is selected, as I think this tells us as fans, what WWE actually thinks of them in terms of hierarchy. I assume the first selection for Smackdown will be Reigns, but after that things should become much more compelling.*

[HOUR ONE]

-They started with a WWE Draft promo. They cut to the arena in Baltimore with a crowd shot. Michael Cole welcomed everyone to the show, alongside Pat McAfee. Cole said the new rosters will not go into effect until three weeks from now, October 22, after Crown Jewel. They showed a graphic for Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair tonight. Cole then threw to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville, who made their entrance to start the draft. Sonya Deville said she was going to announce the first pick.

SMACKDOWN 1ST PICK: ROMAN REIGNS

-Pat McAfee excitedly celebrated.

RAW 1ST PICK: BIG E

SMACKDOWN 2ND PICK: CHARLOTTE FLAIR

RAW 2ND PICK: BIANCA BELAIR

(McDonald’s Analysis: The only real surprise here is Charlotte. I really hope this doesn’t mean that Becky and Seth Rollins are going to Raw. Bianca was what we all expected, but I’m surprised she was chosen before Becky. I wonder how they handle Charlotte holding the Raw Women’s Championship. If they do move Becky, I don’t want them to swap the titles like the Street Profits and New Day did last year.)

-Cole then threw to a graphic recapping the first round. Roman Reigns’ music hit and he made his entrance with Paul Heyman in tow. Reigns got a big pop when he walked out on stage. Pat McAfee called Reigns the most dominant champion in history. Cole said this is the 397th day of Reigns’ championship reign. They then threw to a video package recapping the Demon Finn Balor and Reigns match from Extreme Rules this past Sunday. Heyman handed Reigns the mic. Reigns took in the crowd and paused. Reigns said “we the ones” as the back of his shirt says, because he is number one. Reigns then asked Baltimore to acknowledge him. The crowd cheered. The crowd then chanted “Roman”. Heyman took the mic and said that it isn’t loud enough for the Tribal Chief. Heyman called the crowd Baltimorons. Heyman pointed out that the Demon was undefeated, but is not now. He referred to Reigns as an exorcist. Heyman compared Reigns to a shark and said the shark is looking forward to Crown Jewel, which will not be held in Suplex City. Heyman called Reigns the suplexorcist. Heyman said Reigns will smash Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel. Lesnar’s music then hit and he entered to a huge pop. McAfee said Lesnar is ready to kick anyone on earth’s ass. Cole said Reigns and Lesnar have been the most dominant Universal Champions in history. Cole said something has to give in three weeks. Lesnar entered the ring and stood face to face with Reigns. The crowd chanted “Suplex City”. Reigns attacked Lesnar with punches. Lesnar dropped to a knee. Reigns backed off and Lesnar recovered. Lesnar hit a pair of suplexes and Reigns rolled out of the ring as the Usos appeared. Lesnar took both Usos down. Lesnar removed his flannel shirt and beckoned Reigns to enter the ring. Reigns hopped on the apron, teased entering the ring, then jumped down. The crowd booed. Lesnar stared down Reigns and picked up Jimmy Uso for an F-5. Lesnar then picked up Jey Uso and gave him an F-5 as well. Reigns walked off as Lesnar stared at him.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Well, that’s why Reigns was the top pick. I’m a little surprised Lesnar was here. He must be getting drafted tonight. I wish they had explained who can be drafted on which night. Besides all that, this was a strong segment. Lesnar looks great, even if he’s wearing Mick Foley’s shirt. This match feels like a big deal and has that “big fight feel”. Cole talking about the number of days both of them have held the Universal Championship is a great touch and really adds to that. I’d rather hear about the number of days someone has been champion as opposed to how many times they’ve been champion. I wish I had the chance to buy a ticket to see this match in person.)

-Charlotte Flair was in the back with Kayla. She will join us next. [c]

-Back from break was the graphic for Reigns-Lesnar at Crown Jewel. Kayla was in the back with Charlotte and Kayla asked what it was going to be like being on a new brand. Charlotte said Kayla should have mentioned that she was the first female draft pick. Charlotte said it’s obvious why Fox picked her for Smackdown. She bragged some more and walked off.

-Kevin Owens made his entrance. They showed a recap of the Happy Talk segment with Corbin and Owens last week. Happy Corbin made his entrance with his new assistant. They threw to a video package. Corbin called his new associate Mad Cap Moss. Moss told a poor joke and Corbin and Moss laughed hysterically to end the video.

(1) KEVIN OWENS vs. HAPPY CORBIN (w/ MAD CAP MOSS)

Owens took down Corbin immediately. He sent him to the corner and beat him down. Owens then took Corbin over the top rope and to the floor. Owens teased a dive, but Corbin ran away. Moss chopped Owens on the apron and took him down. Corbin, now back in the ring, laughed hysterically with Moss as they cut to break. [c]

Back from break Owens was fighting back on Corbin. Owens hit a tornado DDT from the top rope for a near fall. Owens went for a Stunner, Corbin reversed and used a roll up for a near fall. Corbin then hit a Deep Six for another near fall. Corbin stayed after Owens but Owens recovered and chopped Corbin. Corbin went for his slide under the rope around the post thing, but Owens hit a superkick. Owens hit a another superkick, then a rolling senton into the corner for a near fall. Corbin bailed out of the ring and the crowd booed. Owens followed Corbin outside the ring. Moss distracted Owens and Corbin hit an End of Days. Cole said it should be called Happy Days now. Corbin rolled Owens back into the ring. Corbin hit another End of Days for the win.

WINNER: BARON CORBIN in 7:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: Moss’ new name is stupid. Other than that, I hope that this somewhat clean win for Corbin means we can move on to something else. I’m tired of this feud. I hope one of them gets drafted to Raw.)

-Moss entered the ring and celebrated with Corbin. They both laughed a lot, again. Cole threw to a video recap of Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair from Extreme Rules. Cole hyped up the Banks-Belair main event as they showed the graphic and cut to break. [c]

-They showed a commercial for the return of the King of the Ring Tournament, along with a new Queen’s Crown Tournament. The ad said they both begin on Smackdown next week. I’m interested to see where this goes. I really hope they don’t go the predictable route with Charlotte winning the Queen’s Crown.

-Back from break Pearce and Deville were back for more draft picks. Deville reminded everyone that only half the roster will be drafted tonight.

SMACKDOWN 3RD PICK: DREW MCYINTYRE

RAW 3RD PICK: RK-BRO (MATT RIDDLE & RANDY ORTON)

SMACKDOWN 4TH PICK: THE NEW DAY (KOFI KINGSTON & XAVIER WOODS)

RAW 4TH PICK: EDGE

(McDonald’s Analysis: Ok. Now things are getting real. I figured RK-Bro would stay on Raw. As the Smackdown reporter, I’m not super happy about this, but I get it. McIntyre to Smackdown is big. It would be even bigger if he wasn’t ice cold right now. I could go on and on about the mistakes they made with McIntyre over the past year, but I won’t right now. Instead, let’s hope this is the beginning of something fresh. I really hope they don’t book him against Reigns right away. That would be another mistake. The New Day is whatever. I would rather they stayed on Raw, but this is fine. I don’t know why they’d be picked ahead of the Usos though, kayfabe or otherwise. Edge going to Raw is the right move. They need star power and he can help in that regard. Plus, he’s an intriguing opponent for Big E at some point.)

-Cole and McAfee looked went over the draft recap graphic again, then threw to Kayla who was with Drew McIntyre in the back. McIntyre said he was proud of everything he achieved on Raw. McIntyre mentioned that he started on Smackdown way back and he has unfinished business. McIntyre mentioned the Bloodline and he said he’s coming after the Universal Championship.

-Back in the arena, Edge made his entrance to a decent pop. They showed a graphic for Edge confronting Seth Rollins, next.  [c]

-Back from break, Edge was in the ring. They showed a recap of Rollins’ attack on Edge three weeks ago. They replayed Rollins’ comments from last week. Edge took the mic and thanked Baltimore, then pumped them up. Edge said he’s the only one that was on the first episode of Smackdown. He said he’s been drafted to Raw, the crowd booed. He said it’s ok, because he has new opponents. Edge then turned his attention to Rollins. He said he had to answer Rollins’ challenge like a man. Edge said he is nearing 100% and he called out Rollins. Rollins was on the screen laughing. Rollins said Edge isn’t saying what he wants him to say. Rollins said he isn’t retiring, he’s not saying Rollins isn’t Edge-lite, and he’s not accepting his challenge. Rollins said he didn’t believe Edge would be there because Edge is a liar. Rollins said he’s not at Smackdown this week. The camera panned out and revealed Rollins was at Edge’s house. Rollins pointed to a sign and laughed as Edge ran down the ramp to the back.

-Rollins entered Edge’s house because the door was unlocked. Rollins rummaged through the fridge and got orange juice and an apple. Rollins sat down at the table and put his feet up. He drank the orange juice out of the container. Rollins looked to the side and saw Edge’s daughters’ art on the cabinet. He made fun of the quality and said they don’t have a future in art. Rollins got up and walked around some more. Rollins pointed out the pictures of Edge’s family. He said thank god the kids look like Beth Phoenix. Rollins sat down in the recliner and found a remote. He turned on the fireplace. Rollins said this is the “homiest” home he’s ever been in. Rollins said he could stay there all night. Edge was shown in the back on the phone, presumably with Beth Phoenix. Edge told her to not go home, go to her brother’s. Edge said he was going to call Daniel and David. Edge hung up looking worried. McAfee said Edge should call the police, not Daniel and David.

(McDonald’s Analysis: This was Rollins at his best here. That was awesome. That jacket was one of his best yet. The comment about the kids’ art was hilarious. This bordered on creepy, but wasn’t, and really came off more like Rollins is a huge slimeball. He didn’t do anything outwardly strange or weird, just things you wouldn’t want someone to do in your house. Well, someone you don’t like anyway. I love this feud. It’s a shame none of us can buy tickets to see the finale of this in person.)

-Carmella made her entrance to a few boos. Liv Morgan made her entrance. Morgan stopped at the bottom of the ramp and told Carmella she would break her face. [c]

[HOUR TWO]

-Morgan attacked Carmella. Carmella rolled out of the ring and asked for a microphone. She said this is the last chance Morgan will have to hurt her face. Carmella called for “ladies”, and they put a weird silver mask on her face.

-Carmella hit the ring and hit a superkick, then a face-buster. The crowd chanted “you look stupid”. Cole threw to Pearce and Deville as Carmella celebrated and removed her mask.

SMACKDOWN 5TH PICK: HAPPY CORBIN & MAD CAP MOSS

RAW 5TH PICK: RHEA RIPLEY & NIKKI A.S.H.

SMACKDOWN 6TH PICK: HIT ROW (ISIAH “SWERVE” SCOTT, ASHANTE “THEE” ADONIS, TOP DOLLA, & B-FAB)

RAW 6TH PICK: KEITH “BEARCAT” LEE

(McDonald’s Analysis: Well, that was underwhelming. I know who Swerve is, but no clue on the rest of that group. Corbin was picked way too high and it makes Smackdown officials look stupid. Ripley and Nikki makes sense, and was expected. I almost thought they would get drafted separately for after they broke up, but I guess not. Lee is a good pick here. The spot makes sense, Raw makes sense, no complaints there. I would assume the rest of what we get tonight will be lower tier players, unless this was it?)

-The New Day made their entrance to a decent pop. They were alongside the Street Profits. They showed a graphic for an eight man tag team match, next. [c]

(2) NEW DAY (KOFI KINGSTON & XAVIER WOODS) & STREET PROFITS (ANGELO DAWKINS & MONTEZ FORD) vs. DIRTY DAWGS (DOLPH ZIGGLER & ROBERT ROODE) & ALPHA ACADEMY (CHAD GABLE & OTIS)

Kingston started with Ziggler. The pair traded waistlocks as the crowd chanted “New Day rocks”. Kingston took down Ziggler and got a near fall. He tagged in Woods who came off the top rope on Ziggler. Woods tagged in Ford, who went to the top and took down Ziggler. Ziggler recovered and hit Ford’s taped ribs. Ziggler tagged in Gable. Gable took the offense and got a nice roll-up in the corner for a one count. Gable went for an ankle lock, but Ford fought out. Ford backdropped Gable then attacked all of his partners and knocked them off the apron one by one. Gable tagged Otis in the meantime. Otis recovered at ringside as Ford dove from the apron. Otis caught him and threw Ford into the barricade as they cut to break. [c]

Back from break Gable celebrated after taking down Ford. Ford went for a blockbuster from the apron but Gable countered into a northern lights suplex for a near fall. Cool spot. Gable wrapped up Ford’s legs, but Ford kicked off as Gable tagged in Ziggler. Ziggler grabbed Ford’s legs and Ford fought him off. Ford tagged Dawkins as Ziggler tagged Roode. Dawkins cleaned house and finished with his patented neckbreaker on Roode for two as Otis broke up the count. Ford flew over the top rope to take out Otis. Ziggler took out Ford with a superkick. Back in the ring Roode hit a spinebuster on Dawkins for a near fall. Dawkins tagged Kofi, who then tagged Woods. They hit a double team move on Roode for the win.

WINNER: NEW DAY (KOFI KINGSTON & XAVIER WOODS) & STREET PROFITS (ANGELO DAWKINS & MONTEZ FORD) in 7:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: This was what it was. Matches like this make me sad that guys like Gable get relegated to things like this. That spot with Ford was awesome. If Gable was four inches taller, he’d probably be a big star. Roode and Ziggler always do their jobs, but I think it’s time to send them to NXT to help out the young guys.)

-They showed Belair warming up in the back as Cole hyped the Wrestlemania rematch, next. [c]

-They showed a Boys and Girls Club commercial featuring Xavier Woods. McAfee and Cole threw back to Pearce and Deville for more draft picks.

SMACKDOWN 7TH PICK: NAOMI

RAW 7TH PICK: REY & DOMINIK MYSTERIO

SMACKDOWN 8TH PICK: JEFF HARDY

RAW 8TH PICK: AUSTIN THEORY

(McDonald’s Analysis: Ok, other than Naomi, none of these will have any significance. Jeff Hardy back to Smackdown is another guy to get beat up. I wonder if the response he got at Extreme Rules led to this. Maybe they’ll heat him up for a one-off against Reigns. They should have used this opportunity to draft Rey and Dominik to separate shows to avoid their whole break up all together. Why can they be drafted together when Dominik basically told Rey to leave him alone last week? I wonder how they’ll use Austin Theory. I’ll assume he’ll get lost in the shuffle until they prove otherwise. Moves like this wouldn’t be necessary if they would just use people like Angel Garza or Humberto Carillo, who, ya know, are already on the main roster. Doing nothing.)

-Kayla was backstage and welcomed Jeff Hardy. Hardy started to talk, but Lesnar showed up. Hardy walked off. Lesnar asked if it was live, then apologized for interrupting. Lesnar took the mic and Kayla disappeared also. He said that he wants to thank Paul Heyman. Lesnar said that because of Heyman, he is a free agent. Lesnar said that because of Heyman, Lesnar can do whatever he wants.

-Reigns was in the back with the Usos and Heyman. Reigns asked Heyman if he was good friends with Lesnar. Reigns then asked if he and Heyman were good friends. Reigns said if he and Heyman are good friends then Heyman should look out for him and his family. Reigns asked if the Usos were drafted to Smackdown tonight. Heyman said they will be drafted on Monday, then mumbled about negotiations. Heyman called himself the wiseman. Reigns laughed and turned to the Usos. Reigns then yelled at Heyman and told him he’s the wise man when Reigns says he’s the wise man. Heyman’s voice cracked as he pleaded with Reigns. Reigns said to stick to the plan, Heyman needs to go to Raw and make sure the Usos get drafted to Smackdown. Heyman’s voice broke more as he said “yes, my Tribal Chief” and left the room. Reigns turned to the Usos and told them to follow Heyman to Raw. Reigns said they will be drafted to Smackdown. He said if they are not, they are to leave Heyman “for dead”.

(McDonald’s Analysis: WOW. I thought it was weird that the New Day was chosen over the Usos, but that all makes sense now. This was yet another great chapter in the story. Starting with Brock, he’s better on the mic than he’s given credit for. It’s hard to tell if his references to Heyman are due to recent negotiations or due to past stipulations. Either way, I’m intrigued. Reigns telling the Usos the “leave Heyman for dead” is super telling. I guess Heyman really is the odd man out. I still can’t tell if Heyman is lying or not. I know how Tommy Dreamer felt all those years now.)

-Bianca Belair made her entrance to a decent response. Sasha Banks then made her entrance. Cole mentioned that we don’t know where Banks is going in the draft. They showed the graphic one more time as they cut to (hopefully) one last break. [c]

Belair and Banks stared each other down. Before the bell could ring Becky Lynch’s music hit and she made her entrance. They showed a graphic for a triple threat at Crown Jewel among the three women on the screen.

(3) SASHA BANKS vs. BIANCA BELAIR

Banks and Belair locked up, and Belair backed Banks into the corner. Banks got a headlock, then got pushed off the ropes and hit a hurricanrana. Banks continued after Belair and Belair recovered and taunted Banks. Belair took down Banks then picked her up. She did squats with Banks in a slam position, but Banks recovered. Belair recovered. Lynch said she does Crossfit too, and asked Cole if he wanted to see her “guns”. She took her jacket off and flexed at ringside. The two traded reversals then Belair went for a K.O.D. but Banks landed on her feet. Belair hit a huge clothesline on Banks and Banks rolled out to the floor. Cole said that could be Lynch in three weeks. Lynch assured him it wouldn’t be. Belair taunted Lynch as they cut to break.

Belair was on Banks as they came back from break. Banks recovered in the corner and hit a meteora off the top rope for a near fall. Lynch said she didn’t agree to the match at Extreme Rules. Belair lifted Banks and threw her down with her arms behind her back for a near fall. Belair threw Banks into the corner and tossed her around. Belair hit a big vertical suplex than a handspring moonsault for a near fall. Banks recovered and hit a couple of double knees in the corner. Cole brought up Charotte being Raw Woment’s Champion and Lynch said she should be Becky Two Belts still because she never lost the title that Charlotte has. Banks went for a tornado DDT, Belair fought back, but Banks got it for a near fall. Banks hit a frog splash from the top for a near fall. Banks was upset after not getting the three. The crowd chanted “EST”. Banks went for a hurricanrana but Belair recovered and threw her down face first. Banks caught Belair with a knee on the apron. Belair recovered and backflipped off the apron towards Lynch. Belair yelled at Lynch, Lynch grabbed Belair’s hair as she entered the ring and Banks rolled up Belair for the win.

WINNER: SASHA BANKS in 14:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: Lynch on commentary was gold. Absolute gold. It was hard to pay attention to the match with all of her funny quips. She played really well off of Cole, who seemed to be needling her on purpose. In character of course. The match was really solid. Not the best these two can do, but for a TV main event, not bad at all. The finish sucked, but may be necessary at this point. Charlotte showing up at the end has me completely confused as to where they’re going with the Women’s Division and who’s going where. I thought I had a pretty good idea, but now, I’m lost. I really hope they don’t send Lynch to Raw, but I feel like that’s where this is going. I just don’t see how her and Charlotte can co-exist on the same show. I am starting to think that Belair may win the title at Crown Jewel and take it to Raw with her. Speaking of Crown Jewel, how are they going to pull this off? Sweatsuits or something?)

-Charlotte entered and took out both Banks and Belair with big boots. Charlotte stood mid-ring holding up the Raw Women’s Championship. Becky Lynch climbed up on the announcer’s table and held up the Smackdown Women’s Championship. The camera panned between the two as the show went off the air.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Yes, there wasn’t a lot of wrestling on this show. That aside, this was a great episode. The beginning of the draft was exactly what it needed to be, even if the back end was disappointing. For the draft, I think Smackdown is clearly more stacked so far, but I expect that will even out after Monday. Some of the NXT call-ups were surprises. The biggest thing tonight was the amount of people that were picked in multiples. Splitting up the New Day again is odd, but I think it’s going to best for Big E moving forward. I don’t know how I feel about the changes not taking effect until after Crown Jewel. I have a feeling there’s a loophole reason for why they’re doing that. The attention to the Women’s Division at the end of the show was great. The star power on the screen in that segment was unparalleled for a Women’s Division match on free TV. Reigns and Lesnar, Lesnar and Heyman, Reigns and Heyman, Reigns and the Usos, the Usos and Heyman, just, wow. The storytelling here is fantastic and tonight was a huge step forward. I actually might watch Raw live this week for the first time in over a year just because I want to see what happens with Heyman and the Usos. Honestly, they probably get drafted to Smackdown and nothing happens, but imagine a scenario where they get drafted to Raw and Heyman spends the whole episode trying to get them traded so Reigns doesn’t abandon him.