WWE SmackDown is scheduled live from Denver this week. WWE announced matches between LA Knight and The Miz, AJ Styles vs Finn Balor, Asuka vs Bayley, and Grayson Waller Effect Segment with John Cena at the start of the episode. WWE Universe saw many surprise returns as well as some exciting developments regarding the Bloodline story and Roman Reigns’ next feud. Catch WWE SmackDown Results, Grades, and Analysis from the September 15 Episode here.
😱😱😱@TheRock is here!!!!!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/f9L07kvw1Y
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2023
Opening Segment and the Return of Great One
The SmackDown opened with a return of former WWE commentator Pat McAfee, who energized the Crowd. His former rival, Austin Theory, soon interrupted him. After exchange of a few words between McAfee and Theory, Pat McAfee surprised the Crowd by announcing another return. The People’s Champion, The Rock, returned to a thunderous ovation. The Rock was phenomenal, as usual. He delivered a People’s elbow to Theory, much to the delight of WWE Universe. It was an outstanding start to WWE SmackDown.
Grade A+
Analysis
WWE always delivered surprise returns, and these two were incredible. McAfee and Rock are fan favorites, and WWE Universe reacted to them according to their star power. The Rock always had the Crowd on his feet. Austin Theory will benefit from sharing the ring with the Legendary WWE Superstar. There is no tease of any feud from the Rock, which means this was a one-off appearance for him.
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AJ Styles vs Finn Balor
Two veteran wrestlers worked well together in the ring. Both started well, hitting their famous moves before reaching the business end. The Judgement Day’s Dom Dom and Damien Priest tried to interfere in the match, but the referee sent them to the back. Jimmy Uso attempted to distract AJ Styles but got a right hand from the Phenomenal one. Finn Balor took the benefit of the distraction and pinned AJ Styles. There is no new development in this rivalry because WWE could use this for a match between The OC and Judgment Day.
Winner: Finn Balor
Grade B+
Analysis
It is always fun to watch these two performing. WWE is high on Judgment Day, and they enjoy their success on every brand now. The Story between Jimmy Uso and AJ Styles is not finished yet. It will surely culminate in something more significant. A match between these two will be scheduled in the upcoming weeks. However, it is still unknown if AJ Styles will face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title.
Street Profits vs LWO
LWO entered the arena with all five members for a brief promo in which Santos Escobar challenged his mentor, Rey Mysterio, for the WWE United States Championship. The veteran Mysterio accepted. The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley entered the arena for a tag team match. Ford and Dawkins made the quick work of Wilde and Del Toro. The post-match attack was a thing of beauty that solidified the heel status of the unnamed trio. Bobby Lashley and Street Profits is a great character work so far by WWE.
Winner: Street Profits
Grade B
.@fightbobby and The #StreetProfits mean BUSINESS!
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2023
They just dropped all of #LWO 😬#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/QeIywmKbBf
Analysis
Finn Balor tried to convince Jimmy Uso to join the Judgment Day before the segment. He even mentioned that there is no leadership battle on Judgement Day. Bobby Lashley and Street Profits are a real threat to the WWE Smackdown division. It is pretty clear that they are going for the title sooner rather than later. It will not be Escobar, but Bobby Lashley will be the one who dethrones Rey Mysterio for the title. However, regarding the current booking, we must wait for The Judgment Day and Street Profits match for the tag team Championships.
.@RealLAKnight is taking it to @mikethemiz 👊#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tBXLfrN8zQ
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2023
LA Knight vs The Miz
The rivalry between LA Knight and The Miz wrote another chapter on this week’s episode of SmackDown. LA Knight was the real star on the WWE network these days and had a great chance against the Veteran Miz. WWE kept a step in pushing LA Knight to the top. The Crowd was electric for Knight as he battled the Miz. Miz tried to use his heel tactics to get benefit in this match. But it was LA Knight all over the place. He hit Blunt Force Trauma to Miz and pinned him 1-2-3 for the win.
Winner: LA Knight
Grade C+
Analysis
This match was all that it should be. The Miz played an egotistical heel, and Knight brought the fans’ force behind him. WWE must do something bigger for LA Knight, although they did nothing wrong so far, building him slowly towards the main event. Knight put everyone on notice, including The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns, which means he will come for the title. Paul Heyman and Solo Siko were seen backstage after the match, watching Knight leaving the arena. It was the 2nd tease for a feud between LA Knight and WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Asuka vs Bayley Smackdown Main Event
The two experienced women competitors faced each other after what happened last week on SmackDown. WWE remained intact with Damage Control after teasing many splits. However, it did not benefit Bayley; Sky became the Women’s champion after winning the Money in the Bank earlier this year. Asuka and Bayley did not have a bad match any time both were in the ring together. But WWE did not give them the proper time and storyline to give us a memorable match. This match was short and had another distracting finish. Shotzi distracted Bayley, which allowed Asuka to score the win.
Winner: Asuka
Grade B-
It's @ShotziWWE!!!@itsBayleyWWE looks like she's seen a ghost 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5nl26fmGOm
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2023
Analysis
Asuka will challenge Sky for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship next week. So, a victory was required to build the momentum. However, it must come without any distractions. WWE commentators mentioned that Iyo Sky did not accompany Bayley in this match because she was back home training for her title match next week. Bayley is a lost veteran with nothing to do but fight a new character, Shotzi, which might not benefit Bayley. WWE must repackage her before losing any credibility she had.
Is @GraysonWWE right about @JohnCena?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Yi0d1HVBok
— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2023
Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena
John Cena and Grayson Waller shared the ring again for the talk show. Before anything happened, Jimmy USO interrupted John Cena, and Solo Sikoa followed. Jimmy Uso heated his rivalry with the franchise star, but the heels were not in a good mood. Before they could do anything, AJ Styles made the save. Cena and Styles stood tall in the ring at the end of Smackdown.
Grade C
Analysis
WWE wasted John Cena’s presence with a disappointing segment that benefit nobody. The only outcome of this segment will be a tag match in the coming weeks. No actual development happened here.
It was all from our WWE SmackDown Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis from the September 15 Episode. Let us know in the comment section about your opinion on this.
