SmackDown Live: 6/18

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Go-home show for Stomping grounds!

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Oh yay! It's Dolph!

[klunderbunker]

Yo Dolph.

Nobody cares.

That is all.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

So are we expecting it to be Lesnar who takes the title from Kofi? Or maybe he loses it to someone, wins it back that first night on Fox, then gets cashed in on.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Dolph back to the midcard where he belongs after Sunday.

[klunderbunker]

So are we expecting it to be Lesnar who takes the title from Kofi? Or maybe he loses it to someone, wins it back that first night on Fox, then gets cashed in on.

Shane, Reigns, Lesnar, on the first episode on FOX.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Dolph's promos are basic as hell.

[Sufferin' Succotash]

I like Dolph and want him to win Sunday.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Shane, Reigns, Lesnar, on the first episode on FOX.


https://i.imgur.com/A6JWKlA.jpg

^This is a distinct possibility.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Shane, Reigns, Lesnar, on the first episode on FOX.

You forgot Vince. And if youâ??re REALLY lucky, Steph.

[klunderbunker]

You forgot Vince. And if you’re REALLY lucky, Steph.

At least the other two offer.....something.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

At least the other two offer.....something.

Stephâ??s appeal lasts about a week or two before Iâ??m sick of her.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

So, someone remind me why Corbin is allowed to pick a special referee at Stomping Grounds. No really, tell me why.

[klunderbunker]

Steph’s appeal lasts about a week or two before I’m sick of her.

It seems to last a lot longer if you watch with the show muted.

[klunderbunker]

So, someone remind me why Corbin is allowed to pick a special referee at Stomping Grounds. No really, tell me why.

He convinced the unnamed bosses to let him. that was the entire explanation.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

He convinced the unnamed bosses to let him. that was the entire explanation.

Seriously?

[klunderbunker]

They really think the solution to the problems is MORE CORBIN???

[klunderbunker]

Seriously?

From the review:

Corbin blames the referee for costing him the match at Super ShowDown and says that won’t be a problem at Stomping Grounds. See, he’s quite the negotiator and therefore he’s going to get to pick the guest referee for the rematch.

[klunderbunker]

Oh and:

Sami Zayn
Alexa Bliss
Nikki Cross
Baron Corbin (presumably)

We're half an hour in and they've used up their Wild Card spots.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

From the review:

Corbin blames the referee for costing him the match at Super ShowDown and says that won’t be a problem at Stomping Grounds. See, he’s quite the negotiator and therefore he’s going to get to pick the guest referee for the rematch.

I uhh... have no real response to that sir.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Simple heel tactic. Iâ??m more interested in who itâ??ll be. Thatâ??s how interesting he is.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Oh and:

Sami Zayn
Alexa Bliss
Nikki Cross
Baron Corbin (presumably)

We're half an hour in and they've used up their Wild Card spots.

Probably getting McIntyre too. Though Reigns showed up last night so he might not be on this week. He wasnâ??t on either show last week.

[klunderbunker]

I uhh... have no real response to that sir.

The translation breaks down as follows:

"The next show is in 16 days. Here's the same crap with a gimmick we'll flesh out later."

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Yesterday on RAW, 11 superstars from SmackDown appeared on RAW.

[klunderbunker]

Yesterday on RAW, 11 superstars from SmackDown appeared on RAW.

Oh but but remember, only five of them counted because the other SIX had valid excuses! And yes this is supposed to be a real explanation.

[klunderbunker]

Bayley is billed as 5'6 and she's a head taller than Bliss.

[klunderbunker]

NO ONE TALKS LIKE THIS!!!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Though Iâ??m not sure why everyone is hung up on the wild card rule. It was obviously an excuse to end the brand split. Just awful timing right after the shakedown and many titles.

[klunderbunker]

Though I’m not sure why everyone is hung up on the wild card rule. It was obviously an excuse to end the brand split. Just awful timing right after the shakedown and many titles.

I have no issue with it. I have a good time watching WWE bend and twist themselves into pretzels trying to keep up with the rules they made.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Oh but but remember, only five of them counted because the other SIX had valid excuses! And yes this is supposed to be a real explanation.

lmao!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I have no issue with it. I have a good time watching WWE bend and twist themselves into pretzels trying to keep up with the rules they made.

Because they care about following rules lol. How often is the 30 day championship defense followed? Even without Lesnar, almost never.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Hey, as a kid, I loved the Bushwackers. And the Sheepherders? kb?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

650 lbs combined for Heavy Machinery? Definitely kayfabe.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Surprised they didnâ??t use any of their meat loving gimmick against DB.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Thereâ??s another, kb.

[klunderbunker]

Because they care about following rules lol. How often is the 30 day championship defense followed? Even without Lesnar, almost never.

But the rule is four. Last night it was five (or eleven in reality). They haven't followed their own rules once since the rule was implemented.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Sundayâ??s special guest referee: Mon Joxley!

[klunderbunker]

Hey, as a kid, I loved the Bushwackers. And the Sheepherders? kb?

The Bushwhackers were originally known as the Sheepherders, where they were violent, bloodthirsty heels, who even had a match rated five stars by Meltzer. The flag bearer was Rip Morgan.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Seth looking like he's turning heel.

[klunderbunker]

Seth looking like he's turning heel.

But see he's a face. Actions don't matter.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

The Bushwhackers were originally known as the Sheepherders, where they were violent, bloodthirsty heels, who even had a match rated five stars by Meltzer. The flag bearer was Rip Morgan.

Yeah but thatâ??s only 5 out of 6 stars.

And I had never heard of them as anything else. Interesting. How long did they last like that?

[klunderbunker]

Shane is really bad for getting here on time.

[klunderbunker]

Seven. He gave an Okada vs. Omega match from last year SEVEN stars.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Seven. He gave an Okada vs. Omega match from last year SEVEN stars.

Lmao

At what point does his rating become utterly meaningless? And then are his 5 star matches mediocre?

[klunderbunker]

If he wasn't married to Zelina Vega, I'd feel sorry for him.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

At least Firefly Funhouse is fun. Please stop this crap with Black.

[klunderbunker]

Lmao

At what point does his rating become utterly meaningless? And then are his 5 star matches mediocre?

I'd think as soon as he went over five. Seven star matches don't exist, and yet his fans call me dumb for using letters.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

But see he's a face. Actions don't matter.

Your responses make me laugh man.

[klunderbunker]

We break the rule at the halfway mark of the show.

Sami
Alexa
Nikki
Rollins
McIntyre

Am I missing anyone?

[klunderbunker]

Your responses make me laugh man.

Making fun of WWE is like shooting fish on a table.

[klunderbunker]

SIX!!!!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

We break the rule at the halfway mark of the show.

Sami
Alexa
Nikki
Rollins
McIntyre

Am I missing anyone?

Miz. At what point do they just stop mentioning the rule?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I keep forgetting Roman beat Drew at Mania!!!

[klunderbunker]

Miz. At what point do they just stop mentioning the rule?

Given that last night the excuses for New Day was they weren't OFFICIAL Wild Cards (though they wrestled a match anyway), I doubt anytime soon.

[klunderbunker]

THE SHOW WAS NOT CALLED WORLD CUP!!! WHY CAN NO ONE REMEMBER THAT???

[klunderbunker]

I'll have the laugh of the week if Reigns isn't on the show when SIX Raw names (so far) are.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Just get rid of the "Wildcard Rule"

[klunderbunker]

AOP makes it eight.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Do not care for the Kabuki Warriors.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Do not care for the Kabuki Warriors.

Why not? They can wrestle just fine and having Paige really helps people care.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Why not? They can wrestle just fine and having Paige really helps people care.

They do nothing for me. Sorry - but not sorry.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

After the match I hope Truth is ready to run.

[klunderbunker]

I'll pay anyone to explain why Elias isn't the 24/7 Champion right now.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

.....I got nothing KB.

[klunderbunker]

The worse part: Elias isn't going to bring it up.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Still don't care about Bray.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I'll pay anyone to explain why Elias isn't the 24/7 Champion right now.

They didnâ??t ever say anything about that specific scenario. Maybe it gets brought up, Elias gets it and is immediately pinned by Truth again.

[klunderbunker]

So glad that this 2/3 falls match will be rushed through in less than thirteen minutes.

[klunderbunker]

Oh come on.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Sami's theme is soo made for a face, not a heel.

[klunderbunker]

WWE.com says Heyman is Raw so we're at nine. COME ON TEN!!!

[klunderbunker]

Smackdown
Date: June 18, 2019
Location: Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves

It’s the go home show for Stomping Grounds and that means we’re needing some final pushes towards the show. That means Dolph Ziggler, who faces New Day member Xavier Woods tonight. Other than that, it’s likely going to be some hard sells before Sunday, which could go multiple ways. Let’s get to it.

Click on the link below for the full review.

WHAT WAS THAT??? (http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/06/18/smackdown-june-18-2019-what-was-that/)

[Jack-Hammer]

Lousy show this week. Too much corny, zany stuff going on for my tastes as I'm just not a fan of Vince's cornball comedic tastes. It might be something you average 10 year old might chuckle about, at least somewhat, or some meathead might find it funny who still thinks the funniest thing imaginable is a man dressing up like a woman, but it's just dull as hell for the rest of us.

Dolph Ziggler's a guy with talent, but he's been in desperate need of a character overhaul for a good 5 years, if not longer. He's been doing this "it should've been me" stuff the past few years and he just comes off like a whiny bitch, which Vince likes in his heels if they're not big ol' slabs of muscle with eyes.

Miz's promo on Shane last night, while delivered well, was Vince, again, trolling fans by affirming what they already know, yet simultaneously telling them in a not so subtle way that he doesn't give a shit about what they want or think. I wonder if he has any idea how much further and further he pushes fans into looking forward to AEW's TV debut later this year.

The Women's Tag Team Championship needs to be scrapped already. It's just a few steps above the 24/7 Championship, which I'm sure Vince loves considering all the hits on YouTube.

Doesn't the blue brand have an Intercontinental Champion named Finn Balor running around somewhere? I haven't laid eyes on him in a while and why are they bothering with Andrade feuding with Apollo Crews exactly? Andrade is someone who should be a top challenger for the IC title or the WWE Championship rather than being wasted with someone who's entire WWE career has been spent in mid-card limbo.

While I'm not exactly wild about Rollins vs. Corbin, I do like this approach they've taken with Rollins. The entire point of a "special referee" is to screw Rollins over and I like the idea of the babyface champion taking an aggressive stance against it rather than passively accepting waiting to for the ax to drop. I find myself wondering if Brock Lesnar might wind up being the special ref this Sunday.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

8 Wild Card appearances on SD? Loool, why even bother calling it a brand split at this point?