Match Ratings For WWE Smackdown Live 4/9/19, Podcast Notes From Sean Ross Sapp Of Fightful.com
New Day Celebration
- There is a beautiful set up for the New Day celebration. Blue canvas, balloons, etc.
- Big E does the split after the crowd chants “you deserve it” at Kofi.
- They name drop Becky Lynch to a big pop.
- Xavier Woods and Big E put over Kofi’s accomplishment. They said they want to reshape culture and history. Xavier says meeting Kofi Kingston was like meeting a hero to him.
- Kofi Kingston shows his wife and kids in the crowd, and the audience chants for her.
- The Bar came out and challenged New Day to a 6-Man tag match.
- Drew McIntyre. Number 26 to cross brands over the past three months.
Ali, Ricochet & Aleister Black defeated Rusev, Shinsuke Nakamura & Andrade (w/ Zelina & Lana)
6/10
- A bunch of tags on Raw, a bunch of six man tags on Smackdown.
- We’ve had a Superstar Shakeup since December. What makes next week so special?
- All they talk about on this show is the Shakeup.
- Ali comes in and gets offense, but gets worked over during the commercial. He hits a tornado DDT on Rusev.
- This match has the benefit of a good crowd. Black and Ricochet both hit moonsaults.
- Ali gets the win with a 450.
- This was a lot of fun. It was a great display of all three of these men.
- Randy Orton shows up and hits Ali with an RKO. I need the Rookie Killer Randy Orton to be a thing.
- Kevin Owens does a bad Stunner to Rusev to a huge chant.
Carmella and Truth
- They name drop Becky Lynch and Kofi Kingston.
- R-Truth says Carmella beat Andre the Giant in the Royal Rumble.
- Samoa Joe shows up and Truth immediately gets ready to fight.
- He fights off initially, and gets choked out and dumped out of the ring.
- He trashes Mysterio and says that he may end up beating up everyone else quicker.
- Braun Strowman comes out to a big reaction.
- Joe almost chokes him out, and escapes a powerslam.
- Braun Strowman is number 27 to jump brands, and yes I’m keeping count.
- IIconics hilariously make their entrance as Braun leaves.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
The IIconics defeated The Brooklyn Belles
SQUASH
- The IIconics challenge all comers tonight. And have two jobbers in the ring, Karissa and Kristen — The Brooklyn Belles. Kris Stradtlander is one of them.
- Excited for the Brooklyn Belles to get bookings.
- Peyton Royce lays in a nice wheel kick, and Billie hits a boot.
- An elevated knee wins it. They’re gonna need a new finish.
- Paige was shown backstage watching the match. She says she’s bringing a team of her own next week.
Other crappenings
- Another Bray Wyatt vignette aired.
Shane McMahon
- This was a huge, giant waste of time. Shane bragged.
- Greg Hamilton says he was physically threatened to not introduce Shane as the Best in the World.
- I think we’re past Greg Hamilton heat, here. What are we doing?
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions
The Hardy Boyz defeated The Usos (c) to become champions
5.75/10
- The Hardys find a lot of success early on. Well, until the Usos toss Matt into a barricade.
- Matt gets worked ever before a hot tag to Jeff as the commercial break ends.
- Whisper in the Wind lands to a big ass pop. Poetry in Motion, Twist of Fate are next.
- The Usos hit Jeff with superkick and Uso Splash, but he kicks out.
- For some reason Jeff thinks rolling under a Double Uso was good and ate a shin to the head.
- Either way, the Hardy Boyz finish off Usos and win the tag team titles!!
- Lars Sullivan cuts off the celebration and lays a beating on both Hardy Boyz. He’s number 28 to cross brands before the SUPE SHAKE. Waddup.
Becky
- Becky seems like she’s putting on a…different voice? I dunno. Maybe it’s because she’s talked more in the last week than any other in her life.
- She gets great chants.
- She knows she has a target on her back and is ready to defend.
- She’s blindsided by a huge WOMEN’S RIGHT from Lacey Evans.
- Becky got over that punch really well and sold like crazy.
New Day defeated The Bar & Drew McIntyre
5/10
- Sami Zayn comes out, but just says the crowd isn’t worth it.
- Drew McIntyre hits Xavier Woods with a BAMMASLAMMA on the announce table!
- Big E is running a hot tag as we come back, but he and Cesaro mess up a catching body slam spot.
- Double White Noise on Big E. A pump knee takes out Big E.
- Sheamus gets hit with Trouble in Paradise, and that’s a wrap.
Rating guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above 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.The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones. Don’t take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!
