Let’s just cut to the chase—this was a go home show for WWE’s Smackdown Live! to showcase and advertise for the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view event this weekend.
Before you even read the recap, just know this: This show was horrible.
There’s no other way to say it. There’s something seriously wrong with WWE Creative. This show was an absolute bore fest.
Nothing advanced storyline wise. No one was built up more. Instead, we got a bunch of matches.
This was a televised house show.
But if you’re interested, there’s a recap below.
Paige and Smackdown Live! Women’s Money in the Bank Competitors Kick Off Show
In the middle of the ring, Paige kicks off the show talking about the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.
After that, she talks about the women who qualified for the event and stressed to them she wants them to win the contract over the RAW branded women.
Lana speaks up and says she’ll take it home, then her and Naomi get into a war of words.
Then Charlotte chimes in listing off her career accolades.
Becky Lynch then talks about how she is going to win and says she’ll even go through her best friend Charlotte if she needs to.
Then the Iiconics come out an interrupt the affair.
They shoot their mouths off only for Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose to come out.
They address Paige and then an all-out brawl ensues.
Referees come out to break up the affair.
Analysis: This was a huge waste of time.
Shelton Benjamin vs. Daniel Bryan
Before we get to the match, Daniel Bryan cut a “selfie promo” on his Money in the Bank opponent Big Cass.
Also, an 8-Woman tag match was scheduled later in the evening after the brawl.
For the match, Daniel Bryan won.
Analysis: 8-Woman Tag? Selfie Promos? A match made out of nowhere and on social media? This is going to be a long night.
Paige Backstage with Asuka
Asuka demanded a match with Carmella while talking to Paige.
Paige changed the 8-woman tag match to a 10-woman tag match.
After their conversation, Paige sees The Miz and they talk about Miz wanting a “gold statue” through his acting.
He was dressed as a referee.
Miz then asked to be the special guest referee in the Samoa Joe and Rusev match.
Paige denies the request and knows he wants to take out his opponents.
But then she decides that it’s OK and he’s booked as the special guest referee.
Analysis: A 10-WOMAN TAG MATCH? Insert expletive here. And she said no at first then decided to book him as the referee? What the heck is going on?
Jerry the King Lawler Speaks with AJ Style in the Ring
Whereas the show is in Memphis, Tennessee, it’s only fitting to have a Jerry Lawler appearance.
During their conversation, Lawler talked about Styles slapping Shinsuke Nakamura like he slapped Andy Kaufman.
Styles apologized for that, though. Well kind of.
He said he was sorry he didn’t “knock his head off with his fist.”
Then Styles talked about how he was going to win and retain his title.
Analysis: Pointless, but nice to see The King.
Miz Backstage with Ref
A quick spot in the back with The Miz getting tips for a referee on what he can and cannot do.
Analysis: OK.
Samoa Joe vs. Rusev with The Miz as Special Guest Referee
Rusev wins after Miz refuses to count for Samoa Joe after he accidentally hit into him.
After the match, Rusev hit Joe with a ladder and attempted to climb it only for Miz to get him from behind and hit him with the Skull Crushing Finale.
After, Miz climbs up and takes the briefcase only to find pancakes in there, set up by The New Day.
Analysis: It was funny that Miz took hits like referees seem to—absolutely get annihilated by barely anything. The pancake thing is stupid, WWE.
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinksuke Nakamura
Hardy wins via disqualification (low blow). Afterward, Nakamura hit him with his finishing move and counted to 10, demonstrating what he’s going to do to Styles at their match at the Money in the Bank event.
Analysis: Another pointless match.
Carmella Backstage
Carmella is backstage talking down to a random person.
Then Renee Young approaches her while Carmella is on her Instagram.
They chat about her upcoming match with Asuka at Money in the Bank.
She then talks about how since she beat Charlotte twice and Charlotte beat Asuka, she’s better than both of them.
Analysis: Carmella can cut a solid promo.
Renee Young Chats with Big Cass Backstage
In a suit, Big Cass talks about his day.
He visited the Memphis County Fair and brought back a souvenir—a game that requires a certain height.
Cass then says that Bryan doesn’t make the cut.
He then talks about how, since he’s bigger, he’ll win.
Analysis: Cass already lost, so his height doesn’t make a difference. And that was a bad joke.
10 Woman Tag Match
The team of Asuka, Charlotte, Naomi, Lana and Becky Lynch win.
Analysis: Can I have that 20 minutes of my life back? This writing team is genuinely terrible.
