Match Ratings, Podcast Notes For 8/14/18 Smackdown Live From Sean Ross Sapp

Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair defeated Absolution
5.5/10

• Charlotte comes to the ring, but it is interrupted by Becky Lynch, then by Carmella.
• Becky Lynch delivers what I think is a very genuine promo about her goals to beat Carmella and Charlotte. Carmella says that’s easier said than done for Becky Lynch, but not her, because she’s beaten Charlotte Flair twice.
• Paige comes to the ramp and says that Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair have to team tonight (why?). She brings out Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville to cheers from Corey Graves.
• Solid work in the match, and Charlotte hits a particularly hearty suplex.
• This is the definition of a pointless tag team match. All four of these women are good, though. Every time I see Sonya Deville work, I think she deserves more of a highlight on the show.
• Becky’s boot being untied almost gave me a goddamn panic attack. She gets a nice combo leading to a suplex and a submission win over Mandy Rose.
• Carmella is on commentary and is rather gloaty at ringside.
• Charlotte and Becky have an awkward conversation backstage after the match. 

JOBBERSKIS

• The Bludgeon Brothers totally obliterate three jobberskis.
• This trio of turds get heaved around at ringside, and Harper is slammed on them.
• Powerbomb/Flying Clothesline finishes them off.

Miz/Daniel Bryan

• We see a video of Miz & Maryse where they announce their show has been renewed for a second season.
• There’s a three-part Miz vs. Daniel Bryan video. 
• Daniel Bryan’s talking point of Miz not wanting to do the hard work that goes along with wanting respect really doesn’t play well. 

New Day defeated saNITy
6/10

• There are really big “Happy Birthday” chants for Kofi Kingston. Corey Graves says he’s 50 years old. 
• Killian Dain is wearing a singlet. Clear to see Vince McMahon was all about that. 
• A high low from Sanity hits with a Dain kick to the leg, and a Wolfe flying shoulder block. Very cool.
• We get a WWE picture in picture commercial, followed by a regular commercial break. Whoever formats these is an asshole.
• Xavier Woods gets a hot tag right after commercial break number 342, which also features him landing a solid tornado DDT.
• For some reason, the ref stops counting the pin that Xavier Woods would have had because Eric Young was midair. Wut.
• Young Death Valley Drivers Woods onto Dain’s knee. Wow. 
• Kofi gets a Trust Fall. Midnight Ride on Dain, which was really impressive. Win for New Day.

Andrade Ciena Almas (w/ Zelina Vega) defeated Aiden English

• Aiden English sings a song, and the match gets started during the commercial break.
• We come back to see Andrade Cien Almas hit his great spinning back elbow, his knees in the corner and the Hammerlock DDT. The spinning back elbow was set up with a blocked teep kick. Masterful
• This probably would have been good if I saw more than a minute of it.
• Rusev and Lana come out to cut babyface promos, utilizing the Rusev Day moniker and all. This was the way things probably should be for them.

Jeff Hardy defeated Shelton Benjamin
5.25/10

• Neither one of these guys look at their best physically, but there are still glimpses of brilliance.
• Shelton has to help Jeff connect on Whisper in the Wind. The superplex from Benjamin looks really good, though.
• Twist of Fate gets the win.
• Nakamura comes out to attack and gets a Twist of Fate and a Swanton. Jeff isn’t doing two of those in a night.
• Randy Orton is watching from behind the curtain, waiting for his handshake.

AJ Styles and Joe

• Samoa Joe is so good, and I love the dynamic he and Paige have together. She tells him she needs him to be professional. He says he’s going to do whatever he wants to do. Fantastic stuff. 
• AJ Styles is asked by Paige to keep things professional tonight.
• Styles comes out and says Joe bringing up his family has caused him to go to a dark place.
• He’s interrupted by Samoa Joe who reads a letter from a fan. Joe claims it’s actually from his wife. 
• That’s it. Wow. 

RATINGS GUIDE

10- Perfect, 9- Excellent, 8- Great, 7- Good, 6- Above Average, 5- Average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a “star rating,” which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive “TV match” lands at a 5.