WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Sept. 27
WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Sept. 270 of 6
SmackDown.WWE
Welcome to Bleacher Report’s live coverage of WWE SmackDown on September 27.
Here is a look at what WWE advertised for this week’s show:
Solo Sikoa returns to SmackDownBayley vs. NaomiAndrade vs. Carmelo HayesMia Yim vs. Piper NivenLet’s take a look at everything that happened on Friday’s show.
Opening Segment1 of 6
SmackDown opened with Randy Orton heading to the ring for a promo. He was already dressed for action. He said Cody Rhodes is one of only a few people he can trust but is confused about his decision to team with Roman Reigns. He invited Cody out and had a mostly amicable conversation before Kevin Owens arrived.
Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline came out and KO issued a challenge for a tag match with him and Orton vs. Jacob Fatu and Solo, but he didn’t want to do a six-man with Rhodes.
This was almost 20 minutes, but there was only enough meat for 10 minutes at most, so it felt way too long to just end up with a predictable tag bout.
Grade: C
Notable Moments and Observations
Orton took a few extra moments to soak up the crowd’s reaction. Sikoa looked genuinely upset that the crowd kept interrupting him, or he is a really good actor. Bayley vs. Naomi2 of 6
SmackDownWWE
Bayley and Naomi competed in a No. 1 Contender’s match to determine who would challenge Nia Jax for the women’s world title at Bad Blood.
They started out with a standard exchange but when Bayley hesitated to take an easy shot, Naomi shoved her and told her to bring it.
This was a solid match between two veterans who know each other well. Bayley won clean with an elbow drop from the top rope.
Aside from one sloppy moment, there wasn’t much to complain about. This wasn’t a showstopper, but it was a good performance.
Result: Bayley defeated Naomi
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
Not showing us Naomi’s full entrance is a mistake. Naomi’s dive out of the ring looked great. Bayley’s sunset flip in the corner looked bad because Naomi was too close to the corner. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes 3 of 6
SmackDown.WWE
Andrade was talking to LA Knight backstage about losing respect for him when Hayes blindsided Knight with an attack.
As soon as the bell rang for this bout, El Idolo and Melo were all over each other. Hayes had the upper hand until a powerslam on the apron as the show cut to a commercial.
This was just as fast-paced and hard-hitting as their five previous bouts. At this point, these two would need to make an effort to put on a bad match.
They fought through two commercial breaks and brought each other to their limit. These two continually bring out the best in each other.
Knight came out and ended up causing a distraction that allowed Hayed to roll Andrade up for the win. This is definitely worth going out of your way to see.
Result: Hayes defeated Andrade
Grade: A-
Notable Moments and Observations
The way Hayes sent Knight flying over some crates looked wild. Andrade hitting a powerslam on the apron while being between the ropes was an awesome spot.Melo’s springboard DDT was perfect. Andrade’s double moonsault always looks cool, but if the opponent rolled in the other direction, it would neutralize the move. Michin vs. Piper Niven4 of 6
SmackDownWWE
Chelsea Green came out carrying a trash can to accompany Niven to the ring for a match against Yim.
Michin took control early but a distraction from Green allowed Niven to hit a cannonball from the apron. We returned from a break to see the former Doudrop still in the driver’s seat.
Michin was able to fend off interference from Green before she hit her finisher to pin Niven. This was decent but had a couple of sloppy moments and lacked a certain level of aggression that should have been present.
Result: Yim defeated Niven
Grade: C+
Notable Moments and Observations
It’s weird hearing Michae Cole say “A whole new way to nug.” The crucifix bomb looked awesome, but Niven rolled a bit too much and it looked awkward when she needed to roll back into place for a two-count. Randy Orton and Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu5 of 6
During a backstage segment, KO got a little upset at Rhodes and told him to stay backstage during the main event.
The Prize Fighter and Fatu immediately started trading punches as soon as the match started. Sikoa asked to tag in after KO took control for a moment.
The Viper tagged in as the crowd chanted his name, but Sikoa played mind games by tagging out again.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa and Rhodes ended up getting involved and it led to Rhodes accidentally costing his friends the match.
Owens was upset and shoved Cody, but Orton played peacemaker and the last shot was KO giving Rhodes a quick hug.
This match had some fun sequences and a lot of physicality, but every single story beat was predictable. We all knew there would be interference because every Bloodline match has it. It’s a pattern the New World Order fell into, too.
Result: Sikoa and Fatu defeated Owens and Orton
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
WWE is getting a little too comfortable going 20 or more minutes between matches. Fatu is the perfect combination of modern wrestling and old-school gimmicks. Orton’s series of suplexes on the announce table was a lot of fun. The Final Word6 of 6
Friday’s SmackDown was business as usual but did advance a couple of stories and give us a Match of the Week contender.
None of the matches this week were a letdown, but three of the four were definitely your typical average TV bout. There was one exception.
Andrade and Hayes had their sixth encounter, and it ended with Melo tying their series at 3-3 thanks to some unintentional help from Knight.
WWE has struck gold with these two and if both men are in the company for a long time, it’s going to be one of those feuds management can rekindle anytime it needs a banger.
This wasn’t a must-see show as a whole, but El Idolo and HIM put on a performance you should go out of your way to see.
Grade: B
