SmackDown Live Recap & Review – Episode 996
Styles attempts to focus on Almas, Kingston tries to survive Cesaro, Rusev seeks the US Title, Becky Lynch is honored as the new champ on a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Styles attempts to focus on Almas, Kingston tries to survive Cesaro, Rusev seeks the US Title, Becky Lynch is honored as the new champ on a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Maryse returns to the ring to take on Brie Bella, a new number one contender for the SmackDown tag titles is decided, Jeff Hardy attempts to cleanse himself of Shinsuke Nakamura prior to his battle with Randy Orton, and more on a pretty good episode of SmackDown Live.
The Miz and Maryse attempt to avoid Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella (while claiming otherwise) on an okay SmackDown that had a good triple threat tag match and an interesting main event.
Carmella gets her rematch, Bryan and Almas face each other for the first time, the journey to find a new contender for the tag titles begins, and New Day meets King Booker in a pretty good episode of SmackDown Live.
The final SmackDown before Summer Slam promoted all the matches from the blue side, though it didn’t really advance anything in any significant way.
New Day and The Bar have a glorious battle to determine who gets a title shot against the Bludgeon Brothers at Summer Slam!
Best friends battle when Becky Lynch takes on Charlotte, Miz tries to figure out which New Day member will enter Money in the Bank, Asuka endures a handicap match, and more on a good episode of SmackDown.
Even though certain promises were broken, was was an alright episode of SmackDown with a very good six man tag match.
Jeff Hardy faces Daniel Bryan, two more women qualify for Money in the Bank, new contenders for the tag titles are named, and New Day refuses to answer Miz’s questions on a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Nakamura battles Styles to determine the stipulation for their title match, New Day faces The Bar for a single spot in the Money in the Bank match, Lynch, Rose, and Deville fight for a spot in the women’s MitB, and Almas debuts on a good episode of SmackDown.
The last SmackDown before Backlash was light on wrestling, but it did have a couple of matches definitely worth checking out.
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae close the chapter on Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega, and Killian Dain battles Lars Sullivan in a No DQ Match in a very good episode of NXT.
Roderick Strong and Tyler Bate battle to determine a number one contender for the UK Title in a show that was otherwise a wrap-up or Takeover.
NXT kicks off the “road to immortality” with a great show and a fantastic main event.
WWE NXT Episode 431 #WWENXT Original Air Date: January 24, 2018 Event Date: January 4, 2018 City: Atlanta, GA Venue: Center Stage Theater Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Percy Watson, Nigel McGuinness Ring Announcer: Mike Rome Video Velveteen Dream says it isn’t time for Gargano to be champ. Not while the Velveteen Dream is around. Gargano’s …
NXT provides another great Takeover with a series of fantastic matches leading up to the chaotic and violent return of War Games!
The Street Profits make their NXT TV debut, Andrade Almas looks to get back on track against No Way Jose, and Oney Lorcan gives Danny Burch a rematch in an okay but rather uneventful episode of NXT.
Ember Moon takes on Ruby Riot and Drew McIntyre faces Killian Dain to decide who will be next to face Bobby Roode for the NXT Title in a good episode of NXT packed with a variety of entertaining matches.
Roderick Strong challenges Bobby Roode for the NXT Title in a very good and emotional match!
This episode of NXT was rather forgettable, though it did feature No Way Jose’s first match after his return last week and a hard-hitting bout between Hideo Itami and Oney Lorcan.