With a curious mindset, I got to have a chat to former WCPW General Manager, Adam Pacitti, about what he thinks is causing the recent boom in public interest over British wrestling. He talks about the WWE UK Championship, the future of WCPW, and who he thinks we should be watching as the next year plays out.
Welcome to SmackDown Live! It’s the final show before SummerSlam this Sunday, and so naturally we open with a contract signing for Randy Orton. He reminds us that it only takes one RKO to beat anyone before dramatically signing the contract, when Heath Slater wanders in with a fruit basket that he clearly stole from someone. No, really – the label says “To Bob, my condolences”. Slater talks some more about being the hottest free agent while Randy Orton eyes off an apple like an asshole.
Sora gives us another week of storyline kerfuffle – what a week it’s been!
We open on Randy Orton being interviewed about his upcoming matches; he’s facing Alberto del Rio tonight, so naturally we’re talking about his match with Brock Lesnar. Del Rio wanders in to indicate that he is still relevant, mocking the RKO and threatening to break Randy’s arm.
We cut straight from this into the opening sequence, and I promise this is the last time I complain about the new theme song.
Welcome to SmackDown live!
We open on Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon, who immediately tell us that it’s all about the Superstars. That’s great guys, so… why are you here? Of course I don’t mind because it’s Daniel Bryan, everyone’s doing yes chants and standing up cheering for him when we cut to the opening titles. It’s new theme music, and I’m faintly disappointed even though I knew it was coming, because I legitimately really loved the previous theme music.
Welcome to the first SmackDown live! Your highly caffeinated recapper is more than excited for the draft, so can we just jump straight in?
We open on Daniel Bryan’s music, and a yes chant so large that I’m already even more excited than I already was. There’s a brief recap of the rules; RAW goes first, six picks off the NXT roster, and RAW gets 3 picks for every 2 of SmackDowns.
Well, here we are, the last Raw before the draft, and it’s up late, because I believe – unlike Vince McMahon – that sometimes sleep is more important than wrestling. Also that if I sleep through my alarm at twenty past twelve at night, I clearly need the rest. So here we are, Tuesday morning and I’m starting this recap ten hours later than usual! Is Raw ten hours now? Or does it just feel like ten hours?
Okay guys, Steph here for Raw tonight, and I apologise if I seem a little bit disappointed in the show, but you have to understand that I just watched WCPW Loaded. Which was BLOODY GOOD and had Noam Dar and Jay Lethal in it. So, after that, tonight might be a bit disappointing. Also, it’s American Day, and I’m probably too British to properly appreciate the patriotism we’re to expect tonight.
The Sunday Round-Up is again upon us! And what a week it has been.
Sasha Banks & Paige vs. Charlotte & Dana Brooke – Dana taps out to Sasha’s Bank Statement.
Titus O’Neil vs. Rusev – Titus wins by count-out.
Seth Rollins vs. John Cena – Seth Rollins wins by pinfall, after interference from AJ Styles and The Club.
Enzo & Big Cass vs. Local talent – Enzo and Big Cass win by pinfall.
Kane vs. The Miz – Kane wins via count-out after Maryse fakes an injury to get Miz to leave.
Sheamus & Alberto del RIo vs. Cesaro & Apollo Crews – Apollo pins Sheamus for the victory.
Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles – Dean wins by pinfall after Gallows, Anderson and John Cena make an appearance.
So, Steph here to do a SmackDown before I completely forget how to recap! I’ll apologise now for the lack of pictures, but I’m doing this recap of leaked video, because SmackDown goes live here in jolly old England at 1am, and I’m damned if I’m staying up and upsetting my rabbits. They find the sound of wrestling quite disturbing.
