It’s finally here folks! Tuesday night is the night we get to celebrate the 1000th episode of SmackDown. They weren’t all live, they weren’t all on Tuesdays (and that’s going to change again when they move to Fox). But for now, none of that matters. The blue brand has now given us 1000 shows, and tonight it’s the night of 1000 memories. OK, maybe it won’t be 1000 memories-it still is only a two hour show after all-but, WWE is going to do it’s best to cram as much as they can from the previous 1000 episodes into this show. Sit back, relax and let’s crack open this Nutshell!
Best Match of the night:
The tag match was pretty good but not great. I almost want to say that getting Big Show involved took away something from it. The ending bugs me a little, but I guess it depends on where they go with it from here.
The main event was pretty good too. Also not great, a few rougher spots, but still a good main event and great to see Rey back in a SmackDown ring.
Worst match of the night:
Can I go with Miz versus Rusev? That match could have been good, but instead it was over in a blink, thanks in large part to interference by Aiden English. Rusev destroyed English after the match, but considering it was for a spot in the World Cup, you’d like to have seen the qualifying match be better than it was.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
One more time
Shane-o-Mac
Batista
Rusev Day
Becky
Edge
You still got it
Star of the Night
I have to give a nice nod to the cast of characters that WWE paraded out. You can argue that RAW 1000 and the 25th anniversary episodes were better (the 25th was a train wreck sort of), but both had three hours to work with. Given there’s like 48 minutes less TV time, they did a really good job cramming a lot of past stars into the show.
Love seeing Rey back. Nice win for him, though once it was announced as a World Cup qualifier, it was pretty obvious he was going to win.
Spot of the Night:
Rey’s dive/slide under the bottom rope to nail a splash on Nakamura-who was on his back on the outside-was pretty unique.
And of course, there’s Big Show and the chokeslam of Kofi through the table.
Jobber of the Night:
I guess the closest we had in a match was Rusev. After that, in a non-match perspective, I’d say the closest we had was Aiden English.
The extra announce table for Booker T and Lawler (and Kofi’s spot) deserves a nod.
Upset of the Night:
Using the different definition here, as I do from time to time…but I am pretty sure The New Day is upset. Upset that they lost their tag titles. Upset that Big Show got involved. Upset that he sent Kofi through a table.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Big Show came down to the ring in the middle of the tag team title match. No one could figure out why, as it seemed quite random, even for the 1000th show. He helped Kofi up, and then nicely helped Kofi through the top of the extra announce table. It created a distraction, leading to a landed Brogue Kick and just like that, Big Show gives us new tag team champions.
They keep having Becky say and do heel things, and tonight was no different, ripping on Edge and telling him not to hurt his neck leaving the ring. Funny thing is, fans still back her more than Charlotte it seems.
Botch of the night:
Orton fumbled a line or two. Minor issue.
Not a botch, but Rey Mysterio did bust Nakamura open. Going to guess it was a misplaced 619, or perhaps the King of Strong Style insisted Rey work stiff…and regrets it.
Nakamura was also bad in positioning himself for the 619. Clearly had to re-position himself.
LOL Moment of the night:
Vince and company on Truth TV, with the dance break. Truth is funny stuff, and the fans are enjoying it.
Noteworthy Moment:
Sure felt like WWE was trying to plant seeds for a Batista-Hunter match. I hope not, but why else say it and let that segment linger on that moment?
New tag team champs too, as The Bar become five time champions at the expense of another five time champ, The New Day.
I meant to say this for the RAW one as well, but I am still very surprised that they are mentioning Crown Jewel without mentioning the country anymore. Between the political pressure and the number of wrestlers who apparently don’t want to go, the major Middle Eastern event might quickly turn into a debacle.
Overall lowlights:
I really hope we don’t get Hunter/Batista….
Nothing against Evolution, but felt like the segment went too long
Overall highlights:
Good to see Shane back on TV. Same with Vince.
Lots of trips down Memory Lane, and they were good. This is a show I wish they had made an extra hour, but still quite good for what it was.
Good tag match, bit of a puzzling end, but good.
Nice main event between Rey Mysterio and Shinsuke Nakamura.
After the final bell:
It will be interesting to see the ratings, as there were a lot of nostalgia acts and I am sure Vince was hoping for a bump based on all the names that were paraded out.
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