SmackDown 10.11.2023

Finally, The Radiant Team is Back in Columbus! Tonight is the first SmackDown after Crown Jewel, promising thrilling matches and LA Knight's remarks on his PLE loss. Let the action begin!

Special Guest Commentary: Kevin Owens

To kick off SmackDown, we have the one and only Kevin Owens in his signature sexy tie! The Prize Fighter joins us as a special guest commentator, and I sense it won't end well for someone.

Carlito Accuses Santos of Rey's USA Title Loss

Members of LWO make their way to the ring, and The Familia takes the mic to address the events from this past Saturday. Rey places blame squarely on Logan Paul for his loss of the USA title, vowing to reclaim it in the future. Suddenly, Carlito's music hits, signaling the entrance of the newest LWO member.

Carlito heads straight to the ring with a clear agenda. "Rey, you're blaming the wrong man. The only one responsible for your title loss is Santos Escobar," he declares, sending shockwaves through the arena. Escobar, angered by Carlito's strong words, immediately exits the ring, signaling that he won't tolerate such accusations from the newcomer. Rey, disappointed by the turn of events, walks backstage to try and calm Santos down.

Bobby Lashley vs Carlito

The evening kicks off with our first match, a rematch between The All Mighty, Bobby Lashley, and Carlito. In their previous encounters, Lashley emerged victorious twice, setting the stage for Carlito to showcase his skills as a new member of LWO.

Realistically, I had no illusions about this match. Facing Bobby Lashley requires being at the top of one's game. Unfortunately, Carlito doesn't currently strike me as a top performer. The entire match seemed like an effortless stroll for The All Mighty. Despite Carlito's attempts to impress, Bobby Lashley, a former WWE champion, quickly cut down those endeavors.

In what would have been a clear loss if not for his first solo match, the Street Profits decided to get involved. Without hesitation, they took down Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde. Simultaneously, Lashley capitalized on the distraction, delivering a devastating Spear to Carlito and securing the predictable win.

Santos Loses Control, Attacking Rey and Carlito

After the match, the Street Profits made a decision to potentially end Carlito's WWE career. Santos appeared on the ring apron but chose not to involve himself in Carlito's beatdown. Fortunately for Carlito, Rey Mysterio didn't hesitate and rushed to the ring with a steel chair. Lashley and the Street Profits immediately retreated.

Rey questioned Escobar about leaving a Familia member alone, expressing confusion about why things unfolded this way. The mounting pressure seemingly caused Santos to lose control. In a fit of rage, he attacked Rey, possibly injuring Rey's leg.

This scenario appeared inevitable, given the lingering feeling for months that Santos envies his idol. Rey took Santos' leadership role in Legado, replacing it with LWO. Rey also assumed Santos' place in a title match, won it, and protected newcomers, allowing them to make accusations. With Rey now suffering trauma and Zelina, Joaquin, and Cruz not taking a direct stand for either Santos or Rey, it raises the question: Will we soon witness a match between Carlito and Escobar for leadership in LWO? It certainly seems like a logical progression.

Kairi Sane Joins Damage CTRL

The ranks of Damage CTRL are set to expand as Kairi Sane makes a return, aiding Iyo in securing her title. The Japanese duo appears to be forming a formidable alliance. However, when Bayley makes an appearance in the ring, there's a hint of concern about this newfound partnership. Bayley shares footage of a past encounter with Kairi, revealing a vicious attack.

The tension is momentarily diffused as the rest of Damage CTRL intervenes. Sky and Dakota attempt to reassure Bayley, expressing gratitude for her contributions over the past year and advising her to take a break. Just when it seems another alliance might crumble, Kairi and the rest of the girls share a heartfelt moment, exchanging hugs.

However, the tranquility doesn't last. Bianca appears, clearly disappointed after the recent events at Crown Jewel. Adding to the complexity, Charlotte Flair enters the fray, raising questions about her role in the conflict. The final member of Team Belair, Asuka, makes her appearance. I have a good feeling about this girl. Let's see what will happand in our main even. 

Dragon Lee vs Cedric Alexander 

A Meeting of Two High Flyers. Dragon Lee is emerging as a new Lucha superstar for WWE. While attempts have been made in the past, Rey Mysterio remains the most popular luchador of all time. Could Lee become the new Rey Mysterio in the future? With his significant push, it seems like a possibility.

Cedric Alexander, who hasn't been seen for a while, thrives when paired with the right opponent. He can deliver captivating matches against high-flyers like Dragon Lee but struggles against powerhouses like Bobby Lashley or Drew McIntyre. 

As for the result, Lee showcased his prowess with a Destino, securing a clear victory. The question remains: Could Dragon Lee be the future face of high-flying action in WWE? Only time will tell.

LA Knight against Roman Reings once againe?

SmackDown's mega star, LA Knight, is back with his signature fired-up speech. However, with Roman Reigns currently on vacation, it remains uncertain when a rematch might happen. A confrontation with Jimmy Uso seems more likely in the near future.

Grayson Waller, Knight's opponent, interrupts the proceedings and attempts to humiliate LA Knight. However, after the recent events on Miz TV in Saudi Arabia, where local TV star delivered an Arabian elbow to Grayson, Waller might want to choose his words carefully. LA Knight, asserting his dominance, declares, "Who's game is it? With everybody saying... L. A. Knight. YEAHHH," before delivering a punch to Waller's face.

LA Knight vs Grayson Waller

In a highly competitive match, both LA Knight and Grayson Waller showcased their best in the ring. While Waller displayed undeniable talent, LA Knight proved to be on a different level during this encounter.

The match reached its climax when LA Knight executed the BFT, securing a decisive victory. This win propels Knight forward, setting the stage for future challenges.

Stunner to Waller from Guest Commentary

True to my earlier prediction, having Kevin Owens on commentary wasn't going to end well for someone. Kevin seized the opportunity to mock Grayson Waller and Austin Theory for last week's incident when he simultaneously punched them both. Unwilling to let it slide, both young superstars confronted Kevin, splashed water on his head, and confidently left.

While on commentary, Kevin Owens couldn't tolerate the disrespect and decided to fight back. He attacked both opponents, ushered them into the ring, and delivered a resounding Stunner to Grayson Waller. It appears that the conflict is far from over, setting the stage for more confrontations in the future.

Damage CTRL vs Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka

It's time for the main event of the evening, featuring a colossal matchup between incredibly talented and entertaining superstars. As I observe the two teams, my personal sympathies lean towards Damage CTRL. Their cohesion is evident, showcasing seamless teamwork and complementing each other's strengths. On the flip side, three luminous stars with colossal egos stand on the opposing team.

The girls from CTRL execute various interesting tag team moves, swift tags, and Kairi adds an exciting dynamic with her technical skills and unique charisma as the Pirate Princess.

Despite Bianca Belair's efforts to fight back and tag in Asuka, a twist unfolds. As expected, old friendship prevails. Asuka sprays mist into Belair's face and delivers a super kick to her head. Nothing seems stronger than the bond of old friendships. Kairi and Asuka share a hug in the center of the ring, prompting Iyo and Bayley to join them. The referee calls for disqualification, but the action continues.

Asuka Joins Damage CTRL and decimates Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Shotzi

The beatdown persists even after the match as Shotzi, who recently forged connections with Flair, attempts to aid her friend. Unfortunately, the numerical advantage takes its toll. Each member of Damage CTRL executes their respective finishers on the opponents.

The SmackDown episode concludes with a captivating scene a beautiful view of the full Japanese reunion in Damage CTRL and complete dominance. It's a sight to behold, truly lovely.

This Smack'n'Down Episode was truly outstanding. From the main event to the Damage CTRL reunion, Kevin Owens on commentary, and LA Knight's fiery speech, this SmackDown episode delivered on multiple fronts. The combination of compelling storylines and stellar performances deserves high praise. Without a doubt, I would rate this episode a solid 9/10. Make sure not to miss the upcoming Raw. See you next time!