WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 995
#SDLive
Original Air Date: September 11, 2018
Event Date: September 11, 2018 (aired live)
City: Lafayette, LA
Venue: Cajundome
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Ring Area
The bell rings eleven times in remembrance of September 11, 2001.
Ring Area
Jeff Hardy heads to the ring. He talks about demons. Hardy has had some in his life, and he’s learned the way to defeat them is to take them head on. This Sunday he faces Orton inside Hell in a Cell. Orton might be a demon, but Hardy is a daredevil. He has no fear.
Match 1
Jeff Hardy vs Shinsuke Nakamura (US Champ)
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Jeff Hardy wins via DQ when Randy Orton attacks
Time: 12:11 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a good match, but it was the typical match where the fan favorite is well on his way to beating the bad guy champ until someone interferes. Nakamura looked good throughout the match, but it was kind of pointless to make it look like Hardy was about to win. Jeff doesn’t need the boost, but Nakamura can use all strong performances he can get after failing to win the WWE Title and taking the US Title with a low blow.
Ring Area
After the match, Randy Orton continues his attack on Jeff Hardy. Orton grabs a chair, but Jeff takes it away and uses it on Orton instead.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton welcomes Maryse and The Miz. Maryse uses strange match to say she’s ready to return to the ring. Miz claims Daniel Bryan is using Brie Bella because he’s scared of The Miz.
Video
In an empty arena, AJ Styles says Samoa Joe has gotten into his head. Styles knows a lot about Joe’s family too, but he won’t stoop to Joe’s level by bringing them into their fight. Styles says Joe is strong, but he’s also a piece of garbage. At Hell in a Cell, the talking stops and the intimidation ends. Styles is going to show Joe how phenomenal he really is.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton asks Charlotte why she wanted to face Sonya Deville tonight. Charlotte says, unlike Becky Lynch, she thrives on competition.
Match 2
Charlotte Flair (SD Women’s Champ) vs Sonya Deville w/ Mandy Rose
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Charlotte wins via submission with the Figure Eight
Time: 5:31 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was a warm-up match and it felt like it, but it was still good. The action was mostly kept on the mat and in the middle of the ring which was nice to see.
Ring Area
After the match, Charlotte poses for a selfie with a little girl at ringside when Becky Lynch attacks her (Charlotte, not the little girl) from behind. Becky puts Charlotte in Disarm Her on the ramp before walking away.
Backstage
Samoa Joe reads a bedtime story titled “Night Night AJ.”
Backstage
Kayla Braxton wants a word from Becky Lynch. Becky doesn’t have much to say.
Backstage
Kofi (Kramer Kingsman) Kingston watches The Bar in their natural habitat while talking about the upcoming tag title number one contender match.
Match 3
SD Tag Title Number One Contender Match
The Bar vs Rusev Day w/ Lana
(referee: Mike Chioda; guest commentary: New Day)
Result: Rusev pins Sheamus after the Machka Kick
Time: 9:15 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I liked how all four men shared the weight of the match with their partner. No one was really isolated too much more than anyone else. That gave the match a feeling of unpredictability which was nice. I’m happy with the outcome as well (though I’d probably be happy regardless of which team won).
Video
Clips of the feud between Ronda Rousey and Alexa Bliss.
Match 4
R-Truth w/ Carmella vs Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Andrade Almas wins via pinfall with an O’Connor roll
Time: 2:31
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. It was fun, though it was quite short.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton welcomes Asuka. Kayla wonders why Asuka helped Naomi. Naomi walks up and also wants to know. Asuka says she doesn’t like The IIconics and can’t understand them. Naomi likes that, and she likes Asuka.
Match 5
Brie Bella w/ Daniel Bryan vs Maryse w/ The Miz
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Brie Bella wins via DQ when The Miz pulled her out of the ring
Time: 4:40
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match. It was a story segment disguised as a match. Maryse kept leaving the ring which prompted Brie to call her a coward. Miz got on the mic and took offense, saying tonight’s main event is over. As Miz and Maryse walked away, Brie chased them down and brought Maryse back to the ring. After a brief exchange between the two women, Miz pulled Brie out of the ring which ended the match.
Ring Area
After the match, Daniel Bryan attacks The Miz. Miz manages to pull Bryan off-balance, causing Bryan to fall through the ring ropes onto Brie. Miz and Maryse begin to take over the brawl, but Brie and Bryan eventually get the upper-hand. Bryan and Brie end up both attacking Miz and sending him out of the ring.
Show Impressions
This was a pretty good show. It felt like they were keeping opponents at Hell in a Cell away from each other for the most part, and I’m okay with that.
Match of the Night
The Bar vs Rusev Day
Again, the tag division provides the best match of the night.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-09-11