SmackDown Live LD, April 16th 2019 - Shake Your Booty

[FunKay]

https://media.giphy.com/media/H0uZtIqQRd2cE/giphy.gif
Ya'll booty, son, ya'll booty

So far, not too bad*. Monday Nights got a pretty good deal this year, strengthening the main event with the arrival of AJ Styles who came out like a ball of fire, scoring the pinfall win in the big six man tag main event that capped off Raw's broadcast. The Miz is back on the same brand as the Intercontinental Championship, where he's close to the records for reigns and accumulative time with the title. He does seem to still have unfinished business with Shane McMahon before pursuing those accolades. Elsewhere, the red portion of the tag team division was strengthened with the arrival of The Usos (and by virtue of being married to one of them, Naomi) while Ricochet & Aleister Black remain a tandem, both signing exclusively for RAW. Lars Sullivan, Lacey Evans and EC3 are all also up from NXT and permanently on Monday's, while Cedric Alexander will transition from 205 Live soon. Andrade (with Zelina Vega of course) and Rey Mysterio seem to be the new Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, perpetually locked together after a prolonged and exciting feud as both men move across from the blue brand. Oh, and Eric Young moved onto RAW too. So no more SAnitY. Soz.

Tonight its SmackDown's chance to shine. Vince McMahon is advertised to make an announcement dubbed "the biggest acquisition in SmackDown history". Maybe he really did buy that pissant company? More likely is a major shift from a star the caliber of Ronda Rousey or Brock Lesnar - something that would make sense given the shift in tone the show will likely be experiencing in the wake of the move to Fox this autumn. Other names to keep an eye out for are Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre as both men made appearances on last week's SmackDown Live, Nikki Cross and Heavy Machinery (the remaining NXT call-ups that stuck and weren't signed by RAW) and Buddy Murphy who seems to have wrapped up his business with his fellow Cruiserweights. No doubt there will be more, and maybe even a few surprises along the way!

Also, Kofi Kingston continues his reign as the man atop the throne in WWE - someone is likely coming at him, but as they say, when you come for the king, you best not miss.


*Minus The Viking Experience. Fuck that noise.

[Spidey]

Paige said something about debuting a new women's tag team too. Is that a sea shanty I hear?

[Sufferin' Succotash]

Eva Marie is coming back.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

^ I'm cool with that.

Can't wait to see The New Day Experience (R) tonight!!!

[BaconBits]

Watching tonight too, just to see who ends up on SD.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Where's Smark? His boy is starting up SmackDown

[Skairipa]

So who's KO bringing out to join SD?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

When this so called acquisition turns out to be Reigns, itâ??ll just prove Vince has no clue how to book the guy.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I'll mark out if it's Reigns

[Skairipa]

I agree with Woods, we want Tyler Breeze by the end of the night.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

So KO is Kofiâ??s next challenger.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I'll mark out if it's Reigns

Begging for his failure?

[Skairipa]

This segment is great. Even if he turns on them by the end of the night, this was well worth it.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Balor will hopefully do better on Smackdown.

[BaconBits]

So the makeshift New Day vs. the International Experience.

[Skairipa]

Aw I was hoping Finn would feud with Almas, but can we please keep Joe on SD? Just ship either belt to Raw.

[BaconBits]

Balor being on SD confirms that once Joe gets over the flu that he’ll be on Raw. Joe got sick at like the worst possible time.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

The Balor Experience is on SmackDown

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I find it funny people who claim theyâ??ll be mad if the acquisition is Lesnar. Like he ever shows up anyway. What a stupid thought process.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

^^ This

Edit: Ali needs to bulk up!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Bets on who the one former Raw wrestler that comes over actually loses their match? If Breeze does, Iâ??m saying him.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Those odds may be in your favor sir.

[BaconBits]

I find it funny people who claim they’ll be mad if the acquisition is Lesnar. Like he ever shows up anyway. What a stupid thought process.

Those people are convinced if Lesnar is moved to Smackdown that he will defeat Kofi for the belt like next week.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Maybe they just get destroyed like Mysterio.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Those people are convinced if Lesnar is moved to Smackdown that he will defeat Kofi for the belt like next week.

My statement about their thought process still stands. And Iâ??m already convinced KO is his next challenger.

[BaconBits]

My statement about their thought process still stands. And Iâ??m already convinced KO is his next challenger.

Iâ??m not so sure. I think they really are trying to keep KO face. I think Roman is being moved and heâ??ll be the next challenger.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Iâ??m not so sure. I think they really are trying to keep KO face. I think Roman is being moved and heâ??ll be the next challenger.

If that ends up being true, Vince clearly didnâ??t learn a damn thing. Itâ??s bad enough heâ??s likely the one being touted as the biggest acquisition ever. The only caveat to that statement is if he goes heel, which is very unlikely.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

In a few short segments, itâ??s clear KO could be a good face with the right material.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

The doll segment was creepier.

[BaconBits]

Bray Wyatt needs a cult. Just trying to figure out who the new cult would consist of.

[Skairipa]

Someone going to interrupt this match or come out after it? Feels like a waste to not have a new woman to the brand show up here.

[smarkmouth]

Bray Wyatt needs a cult. Just trying to figure out who the new cult would consist of.
Dain and Wolfe are available.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Here comes Mrs Overrated!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Someone going to interrupt this match or come out after it? Feels like a waste to not have a new woman to the brand show up here.

Banks wasnâ??t on Raw...

[Skairipa]

Banks wasn’t on Raw...

Because she's at home being mad about losing at Mania.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Thatâ??s a weird looking woman.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

How can they damage Truthâ??s stellar reputation like this?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

So Finn is the only guy to come from RAW thus far? LOL, they have 1 hour left. Let's get it.

[Skairipa]

I get the feeling SD is getting screwed badly in this shakeup and I don't understand why they would do that.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

You people are forgetting they do supplemental drafts, or in this case, shake-ups.

[smarkmouth]

Dain and Wolfe are available.
Forget what I said. Alexander Wolfe just quit.

[Skairipa]

EMBER! I love me some Ember Moon so this is a move I'm very excited for.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Well unless Banks moves over, that ended quickly.

[Skairipa]

Bayley, didn't expect that one. I thought Bliss would be coming here.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

That's only two people from RAW to SmackDown

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Bayley just answered that question.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Make that 3.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Thought the duo might be her lips. Still bother me.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

People still cheering Becky lol

[Skairipa]

I'm good with Asuka and Kairi being a team, and Paige managing Asuka should help her. IO probably does need more time in NXT.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Io Shari should've been brought up with Sane

[BaconBits]

Let’s hope Kairi doesn’t bomb on the main roster, because next Mania is tailor made for a special entrance for her.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Hard landing on Rose. And again people, supplemental draft. Vince is clearly keeping subtle before his â??bigâ? announcement.

[Skairipa]

SD women's division is suddenly much stronger. I like it.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Yeah they definitely need a mouthpiece.

[Skairipa]

Lars Sullivan official for Smackdown, I did not expect that. That should rule out Braun going to SD then.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Drew McIntyre is Vince's Superstar announcement? Circa 2009.

[Skairipa]

Very happy to see Buddy Murphy, I was getting worried he wasn't coming.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Were they chanting overrated at Nakamura?

[smarkmouth]

Love that Kevin is Big O. Everyone gets the first layer of the joke, but only those in Montreal get the second.

[BaconBits]

#KeepKOface

[Skairipa]

No heel turn for Big O, good. I like him as a face.

[smarkmouth]

Were they chanting overrated at Nakamura?

"On veut Kevin" = "We want Kevin"

[Spidey]

Truly disturbing vignettes completely shot to shit by commentary. A+ WWE

[BaconBits]

This is one of the best troll jobs in WWE history.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

This is one of the best troll jobs in WWE history.

Dixie level hype.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Good bait and switch. Saved Reigns from the shit heâ??d have gotten if it was him.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Cool

[Skairipa]

Roman is a great addition to SD, and I'm very glad he's away from Rollins.

[Spidey]

There's the Roman I want

There's the Roman I need

[Fire Marshall Bill]

#KeepKOface

Iâ??m fine with that. Still begs the question whoâ??s next for Kofi?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

"On veut Kevin" = "We want Kevin"

Ah. Thanks.

[BaconBits]

Iâ??m fine with that. Still begs the question whoâ??s next for Kofi?

Maybe Elias?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Pretty surprised Owens didnâ??t turn, but happy. He was toiling away as a heel. Iâ??m not ok with him staying with New Day long term though.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Maybe Elias?

I mean, Kofi should definitely win his first feud, but Elias is pretty low. He hasnâ??t been pushed even a little since last year.

[BaconBits]

I mean, Kofi should definitely win his first feud, but Elias is pretty low. He hasnâ??t been pushed even a little since last year.

Doesnâ??t matter. Just have Vince make the match.

[Skairipa]

Roman superman punched Vince because he knew all of us wanted to do for ruining the War Raiders last night. Roman is a man of the people.

Also my theory was right that Michael Cole had no excitement for saying "It's The Big Dog" last night because he was depressed knowing Roman was going to SD and it would be the last time he could say it for awhile.

[smarkmouth]

I’m fine with that. Still begs the question who’s next for Kofi?
Kinda hope Kofi gets a successful defense over Randy Orton, for the poetry.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Kinda hope Kofi gets a successful defense over Randy Orton, for the poetry.

Circa 2009

[BaconBits]

Circa 2009

Kofi went over Randy clean when he was the Authorityâ??s champ. That story kinda writes itself if you go meta with the storyline.

[smarkmouth]

A few untelevised Smackdown-ees;

Liv Morgan
Chad Gable
Apolo Crews
Mickie James

First two are a touch surprising.

[klunderbunker]

Smackdown
Date: April 16, 2019
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Commentators: Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton

It’s the second night of the Superstar Shakeup and that means it’s time to find out who is coming over to the blue brand, either from Raw, 205 Live or NXT. One of the more interesting things is how people who were on the show last night could pop up here, meaning things might not be as one sided as they seem. Let’s get to it.

Click on the link below for the full review.

The Night Of Smart Moves (http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/04/16/smackdown-april-16-2019-the-night-of-smart-moves/)

[Jack-Hammer]

Some good additions for the blue brand tonight.

Finn Balor and the Intercontinental Championship are on the blue brand, and that does sort of take the sting out of his loss to Andrade last night on Raw, at least somewhat.

Bayley and Ember Moon are both solid additions to the women's roster. Kairi Sane and Asuka as a team represented by Paige has promise, Kairi & Asuka are both colorful and energetic and it gives Paige something to do.

Lars Sullivan on SmackDown works for me and he's the first real "monster" the blue brand has had in quite a while. With Strowman still on Raw, SmackDown needed its own beast to terrorize the roster.

Buddy Murphy is a solid addition, he did good work on 205 Live and he's another one of these guys who's kind of jack of all trades in while he's not the strongest, toughest, most athletic or most technically sound, he has all of those qualities in good enough supply to be a player at some point.

Elias is someone who's just there. Frankly, I'm long since over the guy as he's gotten quite dull to me. He's a one trick pony with nothing remotely special to bring inside the ring.

Roman Reigns being on SmackDown is a good thing if they have legit plans for Drew McIntyre. With them on the same roster, I just had a feeling that whatever plans might have been in the works for Drew would be scrapped for Reigns instead, which would've sucked in my mind. I'm glad that Reigns' cancer is in remission but that doesn't mean I'm going to retroactively pretend that I wanted him in the main event spot all that time when few things could've been further from the truth. Still, I think WWE is ultimately going back to the same formula with Reigns, so don't be at all surprised if he's WWE Champion before this year is up, and it wouldn't surprise me if fans started to turn on him if they get the feeling he's once again being shoved on them excessively.

I find myself hoping that Kevin Owens turns heel soon as I'm just not digging this goofy, comedic babyface element we saw with New Day. I was actually hoping he'd turn on them at some point and maybe set himself up as Kofi's first challenger for the WWE Championship.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Kofi went over Randy clean when he was the Authorityâ??s champ. That story kinda writes itself if you go meta with the storyline.

I'm well aware. Thanks.

[Skairipa]

It seems 2 hours wasn't enough to give SD all their additions, they also picked up Mickie James, Liv Morgan, Chad Gable, Heavy Machinery and Apollo Crews. Liv is the most surprising of the bunch, but Gable finally getting a good singles run would be nice. Knowing WWE, the only move here that'll lead to TV time is Heavy Machinery and maybe Apollo.

[Yer Maw]

Is Daniel Bryan injured?

[smarkmouth]

Is Daniel Bryan injured?
Been wondering that myself, but as he allegedly has a little more creative control, I'd adore him even more if he's just doing the classic heel move of disappearing for a short while after being thwarted on the big stage.

[Yaz]

I've seen a couple of news reports that he is just taking a short break to rest up and be with his family, but no major injuries. Makes sense given his history.