WWE SmackDown
Episode 1053
#SmackDown
Original Air Date: October 25, 2019
Event Date: October 25, 2019
(aired live on FS1)
City: Kansas City, MO
Venue: Sprint Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Intro Video
“Are You Ready” by AC/DC
Ring Area
The Miz is in the ring for Miz TV, and he’s joined by Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart with Team Hogan’s SmackDown members (Ali, Shorty G, and Roman Reigns), and Ric Flair with Team Flair’s SmackDown members (King Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura with Sami Zayn).
Hogan asks “brother” Flair what he’s gonna’ do when Team Hogan destroys him. Flair says Hogan is going down, and he’s tired of looking at Roman Reigns. Hogan says some more stuff, then Sami Zayn chimes in. Zayn talks about Shorty G’s height. Shorty G has accepted his height, and he plans to silence his doubters. Ali says Zayn doesn’t even compete anymore, and his breath stinks. Corbin says he’s a king, and this is his kingdom. Reigns says Corbin looks stupid, and people like it when he looks stupid. People don’t like it when Corbin says stupid stuff though, and the only way to stop Corbin from saying stupid stuff is to punch him in his stupid mouth.
With all the tension, Hogan proposes a match tonight as a preview for Crown Jewel. Sami Zayn says Team Flair will think about it. Hogan proposes a six-man tag. Zayn accepts on his team’s behalf, but Zayn says he can’t compete tonight. Instead, his replacement will be Cesaro.
Cesaro wants to fight right now, and a big brawl breaks out. Team Hogan wins the brawl and stands together in the ring as Team Flair retreats.
Backstage
Big E and Kofi Kingston video chat with Xavier Woods as they walk.
Match 1
Kofi Kingston & Big E vs Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Dolph Ziggler pins Kofi Kingston with a schoolboy
Time: 2:12 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match. It was too short and it ended with a “surprise” roll-up. This could have been a lot better.
Ring Area
After the match, The Revival runs to the ring and attacks New Day. Ziggler and Roode join the brawl, then Heavy Machinery runs out and joins as well. Heavy Machinery and New Day clear the ring while the Lucha House Party watches in the back.
Backstage
Rey Mysterio, Dominic, and Cain Velasquez have a discussion.
Video
A look at the feud between Tyson Fury and Braun Strowman.
Match 2
Lacey Evans vs Camron Connors
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Lacey Evans wins via pinfall with the Woman’s Right
Time: 0:47
Match Thoughts
Squash. One move.
Backstage
Nikki Cross is interviewed by Michael Cole via video. Nikki is happy to relieve Bayley of her championship pressure by taking the title away from her.
Video
Clips of Seth Rollins assaulting Bray Wyatt and burning down his house.
Firefly Fun House
Bray Wyatt, Mercy the Buzzard, Huskus the Pig Boy, and Abby the Witch have a memorial service for Rambling Rabbit (who dies when Seth Rollins set fire to his home). Bray Wyatt kisses the bloody head of Rambling Rabbit, and Rambling Rabbit comes back to life. Mercy promptly eats Rambling Rabbit.
Match 3
Drew Gulak vs Kalisto
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Kalisto wins via pinfall after Salida Del Sol
Time: 2:39
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match. Gulak started showing a PowerPoint presentation about how Strowman can lose to Fury, then Strowman came out about a minute later.
Ring Area
After the match, Braun Strowman hits Drew Gulak with a running powerslam. Strowman says this is what happens when you disrespect him, but at least Gulak deserves to be in a WWE ring. Tyson Fury doesn’t belong, and he’s going to get Strowman’s hands.
Backstage
Daniel Bryan walks.
Ring Area
In the ring, Michael Cole welcomes Daniel Bryan. Cole asks Bryan if the “Yes Movement” is back. Before he can answer, Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn interrupt. Zayn shows footage from a few months ago of Bryan saying that the the “old Daniel Bryan” and the “Yes Movement” are dead. Zayn says that he knows Bryan meant every word of what he said.
Zayn says Bryan is too good for the WWE Universe, but he has a lot in common with Zayn and Nakamura. Zayn says Bryan and either go backward for the fans, or he can move forward and join Zayn and Nakamura. Bryan thinks about shaking Zayn’s hand, but instead he just walks away.
Backstage
Team Hogan hangs out.
Backstage
Nikki Cross walks excitedly.
Match 4
Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville vs Nikki Cross
(referee: Ryan Tran; guest commentary: Bayley, Sasha Banks)
Result: Nikki Cross wins via pinfall after a swinging neckbreaker
Time: 4:30
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Rose dominated most of the match, and Deville helped Rose keep control. Nikki made a push late in the match with a few strong moves. This was a fine way to help Nikki get a little momentum heading into her title match with Bayley.
Backstage
Team Flair hangs out.
Backstage
Rey Mysterio and Cain Velasquez walk beside each other.
Ring Area
Rey Mysterio and Cain Velasquez head to the ring. Rey talks about how tough his son has been since getting beaten up by Brock Lesnar. That was the worst day of Rey’s life, but Dominic is doing better. Rey says it’s time for Lesnar to pay for what he did to Dominic, and Cain Velasquez will be taking that payment. Rey invites Lesnar down to the ring to get face to face with Velasquez.
Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar appear on the tron. Lesnar has better things to do than go to the ring right now. What has Lesnar been doing tonight? He’s been beating up Dominic again. Rey and Cain run to the back.
Backstage
Rey and Cain watch as Dominic is checked out in the trainer’s room. The trainer needs some space, guys.
Suddenly, Brock Lesnar attacks everyone in the room. Everyone goes down.
Backstage
Cain Velasquez yells about Brock Lesnar.
Match 5
Shinsuke Nakamura (IC Champ) w/ Sami Zayn & Cesaro & King Corbin w/ Ric Flair vs Shorty G & Ali & Roman Reigns w/ Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Ali pins Cesaro after a 450 splash
Time: 12:05 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was fun. The crowd was super-into this match, especially towards the end when Reigns got the tag. My favorite bits were whenever Cesaro and Ali were in the ring together. This was kind of meaningless heading into Crown Jewel, but it was entertaining.
Show Impressions
I was disappointed with the matches tonight. They could have all been better. It felt like they were more concerned with story lines rather than the in-ring action. Overall I think the show was pretty average, though I didn’t dislike it.
Match of the Night
Team Hogan vs Team Flair + Cesaro
This was the longest match f the night by far, and it was the most fun.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2019-10-25