WWE SMACKDOWN – September 15th, 2023 – Denver (CO) USA
For the first time in nearly four years, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delighted the audience at WWE SmackDown with his presence.
Johnson, who last appeared on WWE SmackDown when it began airing on FOX on Oct. 4, 2019, appeared in the very first segment of the show.
As expected, that sent the crowd of about 12,700 at the sold-out Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, into a complete frenzy.
The Great One is back and silences Theory
WWE SmackDown was opened – completely unexpectedly – by Pat McAfee. The last time we saw him in WWE was at WrestleMania. Pat indicated that he was in the area for a college football broadcast.
Those who had been paying attention during the day could already smell a rat at this point, who was still to come. Because Dwayne Johnson had been a guest on Pat McAfee’s show on ESPN at noon.
However, Pat, who called SmackDown “the greatest wrestling show ever on television,” was interrupted by Austin Theory. Like Pat, he was wearing a black undershirt.
Austin: “The difference is, when I wear this, I look like a Greek god. You look like someone who sells hamburgers.”
Pat said Austin shouldn’t be so disrespectful. After all, he said, SmackDown is the people’s show, “…and you know what that means?!”
At this point appeared The Rock, who duly savored his entrance.
The Rock was happy to have finally returned to Denver. Austin Theory, however, interfered. This led to the audience calling him an “asshole” over and over again on Dwayne’s advice.
The Rock thought he had a theory. When he announced he was going to spank Theory in the next three seconds, Austin tried to beat him to it. But Rock countered with a spinebuster and then performed his People’s Elbow. Pat McAfee received an invitation from the Great One to follow up with a People’s Elbow.
The ongoing actors’ strike in Hollywood may have meant that Johnson had time to make another appearance at WWE. The fans in Denver enjoyed every second of this unannounced appearance.
Jimmy Uso helps the Judgement Day
•Singles Match:
Finn Bálor def. AJ Styles per Pinfall with an Crucifix- Roll up
In the previous week AJ Styles got a victory over Jimmy Uso. However, Judgment Day ensured that the evening did not end so well for the Phenomenal One.
Finn Bálor and Damian Priest attacked Styles from behind and sent him back into the ring, where Solo Sikoa unpacked the Samoan Spike against Styles.
This match featured Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio at ringside. But when Styles got into position for the Phenomenal Forearm and the companions tried to do something about it, they were ejected from the arena by the referee.
AJ missed with the Forearm, but then got into position for the Styles Clash. While the official was still busy with the rest of Judgment Day, Jimmy Uso then showed up at ringside.
AJ let go of Bálor to fend off Jimmy. Bálor used that for a Crucifix roll-up. He got the win.
The Rock and John Cena face to face
While The Rock and Pat McAfee were reviewing their performance, the People’s Champion got a visit from an old acquaintance backstage: John Cena was now standing opposite him.
Both WWE greats looked at each other, then there was the warm embrace: “Welcome home,” said Cena.
-Jimmy Uso mentioned to Finn Bálor that he only returned the favor from the previous week. Finn, however, went a step further in the conversation. He mentioned his conversation with Jey Uso on Raw, saying, “There’s no leader at Judgment Day – no Roman Reigns!” Bálor said he could see both Uso brothers at Judgment Day. Paul Heyman overheard the conversation in the background.
Rey Mysterio gives Santos Escobar a Title Match
The Latino World Order presented itself as one in the ring. Rey Mysterio looked back on the past year, which had not always been easy for him: “The LWO reminded me of who I am and what family really means.”
Santos Escobar expressed his attachment to Rey: “My career dream has always been to compete against my idol for a title!” Rey accepted this request for a future match.
Lashley’s Guys destroy the LWO
The personal LWO talk was suddenly interrupted by Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. They said that with the celebration in the ring, their planned takeover would go easier than they thought.
This led to a tag team match.
•Tag Team Match:
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) def. LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) per Pinfall after the Revelation
Only the final phase of this match was shown after a commercial break.
Joaquin Wilde missed with an action from the ring ropes and shortly after conceded the Revelation for the decision.
Ford and Dawkins took out Wilde and Cruz after their victory. When Santos tried to interfere, he was attacked from behind by Lashley. Rey tried to make something happen but was tripped up.
Members of the LWO were down as Bobby’s Guys left the ring.
LA Knight targets all Champions
•Singles Match:
LA Knight def. The Miz via Pinfall after the BFT
At “Payback,” LA Knight already scored a win over The Miz. But Miz said that guest referee John Cena had ruled in Knight’s favor. The matter was now settled in a second round.
Knight prevented a DDT from The Miz as he held onto the ropes. And Miz’s skull-crushing finish didn’t go through either.
When Miz did manage a DDT, Knight broke free for the 2-count. The Miz continued to dish it out, but was outmaneuvered and finally surprised with the BFT for the decision.
LA Knight grabbed the mic afterwards. He named the four singles champions, Rey Mysterio, Gunther, Seth Rollins, as well as Roman Reigns, and held out the prospect of being in the top two, and he’s not number two. In other words: Now LA Knight wants to win title gold!
-Solo Sikoa got the statements on the backstage monitor and already wanted to take care of LA Knight. But Paul Heyman said he had to wait for Roman Reigns’ instructions. After all, there was also the matter with Jimmy Uso, who was not part of the Bloodline. “I already know what I have to do,” Solo said and walked away. Heyman immediately called the “Tribal Chief.”
-WWE official Adam Pearce informed Pretty Deadly that Elton Prince would be ready soon. Elton reacted somewhat hysterically. Kit Wilson mentioned knowing the perfect training program to return to the ring. He said he wanted to help his partner with that.
Shotzi scares Bayley in Main Event of WWE SmackDown
Iyo Sky was absent this week to train for her upcoming WWE Women’s Title match against Asuka on Sept. 22.
•Singles Match:
Asuka def. Bayley per Pinfall with a Backslide
As Asuka went for an armbar, Bayley rolled out of the ring. This allowed her to escape the submission hold.
Outside, the fight continued: Bayley began clearing the commentary table.
Suddenly Shotzi emerged from the audience, which again sent Bayley into a state of fear. Her full concentration was now on Shotzi, who drove Bayley back into the ring.
There Asuka was on the spot again, pulling Bayley to the mat with a backslide and getting the win.
Shotzi and Asuka sealed their unusual collaboration with a Fist Bump.
AJ Styles supports John Cena
John Cena was a guest on the “Grayson Waller Effect,” but didn’t get a chance to speak at all. Instead, Waller provoked the WWE legend with some impertinence. For example, Cena presented himself as a bad host on “Payback” and immediately drew attention to himself again.
Waller: “There’s no doubt you’re the greatest of all time, but right now you’re not the greatest!” Grayson mentioned how his buddy Austin Theory was able to defeat Cena at WrestleMania.
Cena angrily took off his shirt – but that’s when Jimmy Uso came to the ring, while being on the opposing side of John’s Attitude Adjustment two weeks ago on WWE SmackDown. “Nobody wants you here,” Jimmy informed Cena. He should fight or leave the ring.
Solo Sikoa now followed with Paul Heyman. Sikoa faced off with Cena. Then Solo suddenly turned around and grabbed Jimmy, only to knock Cena down with the Superkick after all.
AJ Styles rushed to John Cena’s aid! Cena beat Solo out of the ring, AJ knocked Jimmy down. Cena followed with the Five Knuckle Shuffle against Uso.
When there was also going to be the Attitude Adjustment, Heyman instructed Solo to make the save on Jimmy. He was pulled out of the ring by Sikoa before Cena could pull off his AA.
With John Cena and AJ Styles, two veterans had thus teamed up at the end of WWE SmackDown.
Preview of the next episode of WWE SMACKDOWN
•WWE-Women’s-Championship: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Asuka
•Tag Team Match: LWO (Rey Mysterio & Santo Escobar) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
-Lenny Wrestling
*Photo courtesy of WWE YouTube
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