May 9, 2017
Episode 925
(aired live)
#SDLive
City: London, England
Venue: The O2 Arena
Commentary: Tom Phillips, JBL, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Three weeks ago, Jinder Mahal become the number one contender for the WWE Title. Also, at Payback, Mahal and the Singh Brothers attacked Randy Orton during the House of Horror match.
Intro Video
“Take a Chance” by CFO$
Ring Area
Randy Orton heads to the ring. He starts to talk about Mahal costing him his match against Wyatt at Payback when Mahal interrupts and comes out to the stage with the Singh Brothers.
Mahal shows Orton what the future looks like: promotional pictures of Mahal with the WWE Title. Mahal says he will wear the WWE Title proudly in the Taj Mahal. He also says he will cleanse the crowd’s ignorance with his greatness. He announces that he is about to start speaking in Punjabi when Kevin Owens interrupts and comes out.
Owens wants Orton and Mahal to just stop. No one cares about the House of Horrors or India. Everyone should care about Owens and the US Title though. Last week, Owens took back his title last week and ended Chris Jericho’s career. At Backlash, Owens plans to end AJ Styles’ career as well. And when he does, Owens will come after the WWE Title. After saying it again in French, AJ Styles comes out.
Styles tells Owens to enjoy being the “New Face of America” while he can, because Owens will never be the face of SmackDown Live. Baron Corbin comes out next, but he doesn’t get to say much before Sami Zayn attacks him from behind. After a very brief brawl, Orton, Styles, and Zayn wind up in the ring together while Owens, Corbin, Mahal, and the Singh Brothers stare at them from the floor.
Ring Area
In the ring, James Ellsworth tells the crowd that they don’t deserve to be in the presence of Carmella’s and Tamina’s beauty. Carmella then introduces Natalya who heads to the ring for a match. Naomi comes out next and gives an introduction for Becky Lynch. As Becky and Natalya get ready to start the match, Charlotte Flair comes out and heads to the ring. She says she needs no introduction.
Match 1
Natalya w/ Tamina, Carmella, James Ellsworth vs Becky Lynch w/ Charlotte Flair, Naomi (SD Women’s Champ)
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Natalya wins via pinfall after pulling Becky from the second rope (off a distraction caused by a near-brawl at ringside)
Time: 3:03
Match Thoughts
This was short, but it worked for the story. It’s odd seeing Charlotte smile and cheer for Becky, but I like how the good guys in this feud don’t really get along very well.
Video
Lana will be dancing on SmackDown soon.
Backstage
Charlotte blames Naomi for Becky’s loss. Becky tries to calm things down between them, pointing out that they will keep losing if they don’t unite. Becky proposes a six person tag match at Backlash. Naomi is into the idea, but Charlotte is a reluctant partner.
Video
In a new episode of “Fashion Files,” Breezango investigates a spill of face paint. It must be the work of The Uggos. However, their investigation instead leads them to find The Ascension having some sort of yelling party in a closet. The Ascension case file has just been reopened.
Match 2
Luke Harper vs Erick Rowan
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Erick Rowan wins via pinfall after a spinning falling powerslam
Time: 4:17
Match Thoughts
This was okay. I think the ending was a little strange, and the action was a bit slow. I think both guys can do better.
Ring Area
Dolph Ziggler heads to the ring. He calls the crowd a bunch of hypocrites for not appreciating everything he’s done, but instead cheering for Nakamura. Ziggler suffers for his art in the ring, but he doesn’t call himself “The Artist.” Ziggler has done everything by himself and has never needed the fans. Ziggler then calls out Shinsuke Nakamura.
Nakamura heads to the ring. Ziggler is tired of all the theatrics and wants Nakamura to “put up or shut up.” Nakamura snatches the mic from Ziggler before he can finish speaking and tells him to get a referee. Nakamura will show Ziggler what he can do. Referee Dan Engler runs to the ring, but Ziggler refuses to have a match. He wants to fight on his own terms, and Ziggler plans to expose Nakamura as a fraud at Backlash. Ziggler throws his jacket in Nakamura’s face and attacks, but Nakamura manages to fight him off. Ziggler ends up leaving the ring and backing away.
Backstage
Sami Zayn tries to talk strategy with Orton and Styles. Zayn talks at about a million miles and hour, and neither Orton nor Styles seems to care much about what he’s saying. Zayn asks or everyone to close their eyes and visualize the match. When Zayn shuts his eyes, Orton and Styles walk away.
Video
Yet another promo proclaiming that New Day is headed to SmackDown soon. This promo is fashioned as a video game character select screen.
Match 3
The Ascension vs Breezango
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Fandango pins Viktor after a Last Dance top rope leg drop
Time: 2:38
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good, yet short. I liked the match, it was just very lopsided. The Ascension dominated the match, leaving Breezango to make a last-minute comeback. It works for what it was meant to do though, which is to build up Breezango for their upcoming title match.
Ring Area
After the match, The Usos come out to the stage and tell Breezango what’s going to happen to them in twelve days.
** I love the energy that The Usos always have since their transformation. As much as I’d love to see Breezango win the titles, I kind of don’t want The Usos to lose. **
Backstage
Brian Kendrick addresses Akira Tozawa, saying that Tozawa is learning. But tonight on 205 Live, Kendrick will remind Tozawa who the teacher is.
Backstage
Mojo Rawley tells some kids about Andre the Giant and shows them his Andre Memorial trophy.
Video
Earlier Today on Twitter, Rusev complained that he hasn’t heard from Shane McMahon about his demands for a title match. He’s headed to SmackDown next week to demand an answer.
Match 4
Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers & Kevin Owens (US Champ) & Baron Corbin vs Sami Zayn & AJ Styles & Randy Orton (WWE Champ)
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Jinder Mahal pins Randy Orton after a Cobra Clutch slam
Time: 13:56 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I think it built well. Sami Zayn spent a very long time in the ring getting beat up, but everyone really had their moments to shine in this one. As usual for this type of match, it broke down into chaos at the end, and it was nicely done. I think this worked to build or at least maintain interest for all the feuds involved.
Show Impressions
This show was okay. I liked the main event and the Breezango/Usos stuff the most. The undercard matches could have had more substance (and time), but overall it wasn’t bad.
Match of the Night
Mahal & Owens & Corbin vs Zayn & Styles & Orton
This was the longest match by far, and even though it felt kind of thrown-together, it was the most interesting.