To say Friday Night SmackDown disappointed this week would be an understatement. It was flat out boring. Aside from a Firefly Fun House segment and the WWE championship contract signing, SmackDown was a throw away show.

This week’s SmackDown was live from our own backyard in Detroit, MI. I and fellow Woodward Sports wrestling writer Jon Kloss were in attendance for the show. I can say we both enjoyed the live show experience. However, it did not live up to the hype at all, and ultimately felt more like a house show. Now, let’s get to the show details.

Opening Match

One of four tag team matches in round one of, deciding a number one contender for the SmackDown tag team titles. Four tag team matches in one show? I don’t know who made this decision, but what I can say is, it was a terrible choice.

Sheamus and Drew McIntyre faced the Viking Raiders, which wasn’t a bad opening contest. There was a lot of back and forth between the four heavyweights. Finally, it ended with Sheamus hitting a brogue kick on Ivar winning the match. Overall, it was a good match.

Show Highlights

Following the first match, we get a sit down segment between Sami Zayn and the Tribal Chief. It’s that Sami expresses his concerns on the Usos’ coming out to help last week when he was trying to handle the Kevin Owen’s problem on his own. Yet the Tribal Chief was not having it and told him to leave.

After the first commercial break and another Royal Rumble character promo. LA Knight is in the ring set to fight Greg Jones, don’t ask, I don’t know who he is either. He cuts a promo on how cryptic Bray Wyatt has been, and easily beats Jones with a snapmare driver. 

Bray Wyatt’s logo flashes on the big screen and the Firefly Fun House intro music hits. The Firefly Fun pals are seen waking up and shaking off the dust as we get a little show from the old crew. 

Soon after, a scrambled image of Uncle Howdy appears with the phrase “all he needs is a little push”. Wyatt returns on screen, warning Knight that he opened the door and whatever comes through it, is his problem and he’ll see him at the Rumble.

Following another commercial break and more Rumble character promos, which popped up throughout the night, we get the three remaining tag team matches. Why, just why?

Remaining Tag Team Results

Hit Row defeats Los Lotharios

Imperium defeats the Brawling Brutes

Legado del Fantasma defeats Maximum Male Models

Main Event

Finally, the Tribal Chief is ready to see Sami Zayn as he returns to his office right before he’s set for his contract signing with Kevin Owens. As the crowd in Detroit erupts as we’ve all been waiting for the Tribal Chief, Roman reigns makes his way to the ring accompanied by Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman.

He sits in the chair waiting for Kevin Owens to arrive kicking his feet up on the table to show off his new shoes and the crowd starts to cheer behind him… Not for his new kicks like he thought, they’re cheering for Kevin Owens making his way through the crowd. Hopping over the railing to attack and take out Solo before jumping in the ring to deliver a stunner to Reigns. 

The Usos come out to try to help, but are quickly met with super kicks to the face. As Owens’ eyes the table, we all know what’s coming next. Kevin slings Roman into the ropes and back up for a pop-up power bomb through the table. 

Owens signs the contract held by Paul Heyman in the ring’s corner, as Sami Zayn makes his way to the ring to confront his former friend. Owens throws the signed contract at Sami and quickly escapes through the crowd up the stairs. The Usos attend to Roman and that’s it for your Friday night show.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a fun night out, but as I stated earlier, this seemed more like a throwaway show. All of the tag matches brought the showdown, as well as the Rumble promo announcements.

In addition, I know attendance at LCA wasn’t great, but if it wasn’t for The Bloodline and Bray Wyatt, it would’ve been even lower. One can only hope they get it together next week on the go home shows before the Royal Rumble. Of course, I’ll be tuning in.