WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights Before Fastlane
On the eve of WWE Fastlane, the Superstars of SmackDown set out to establish momentum in hopes of carrying it over to the premium live event, including Asuka and Charlotte Flair.
The Empress of Tomorrow and The Queen will compete against Iyo Sky for the WWE Women's Championship Saturday night in a Triple Threat Match but first, they partnered against Sky and her Damage CTRL teammate, Bayley, in tag team action.
Who emerged from that match victorious and what other stars and stories took center stage ahead of extravaganza?
Find out with this recap of Friday's FOX broadcast.
Match Card
1 of 7Announced in advance for the October 6 broadcast were:
- Charlotte Flair and Asuka vs. Bayley and Iyo Sky
- Rey Mysterio vs. Bobby Lashley
- Dragon Lee vs. Austin Theory
- Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso confront The Judgment Day
LA Knight Kicked Off the Show
2 of 7
LA Knight kicked off the show, greeted by a monstrous pop that would have been right at home in any era in WWE history.
Before he could say anything, Paul Heyman, Solo SIkoa, and Jimmy Uso interrupted. A back-and-forth ensued before John Cena hit the ring in support of his Fastlane tag team partner Knight.
The Megstar challenged Uso to a match and the former tag champion accepted, to the dismay of Heyman.
This was the same, formulaic segment that resulted in a main event later in the show, but that pop for Knight is undeniable.
He is the guy in WWE right now and it is about time the company recognizes that and pulls the proverbial trigger on pushing him rather than building and building, then missing the obvious climax of his rise.
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "I know who the next megastar is going to be and ladies and gentlemen, admittedly and with a little candor, the next big megastar in this business is going to be LA Knight," Heyman said, reminding fans of his long history of recognizing the next big thing.
- "Now that you've earned my attention, The Bloodline is going to have to do something about it."
- Heyman calling the shots, and calling Uso and Sikoa off, was a wise decision by the wiseman. It is also indicative that he is the real master puppeteer behind The Bloodline.
Charlotte Flair and Asuka vs. Iyo Sky and Bayley
3 of 7
Charlotte Flair and Asuka defeated Bayley and WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky in a good, long tag team match that put the spotlight on the women's division and served as final hype for Sky's defense against The Queen and The Empress of Tomorrow at Fastlane.
The action broke down late, leading to a few sloppy spots, but the outcome hit the important notes, including misfires by both teams that concluded with Flair scoring the win for her team.
After Sky vs. Asuka two weeks ago, this was another refreshing utilization of the women's division and a preview of what could be the best match on the premium live event card.
Result
Asuka and Flair defeated Sky and Bayley
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Is Asuka so good she has somehow become underrated? It certainly feels that way.
- Flair exploded into the match with a sort-of crossbody that was not pretty but definitely had the crowd fired up.
- Graves rightly pointed out that Sky never officially tagged herself in, technically making her illegal in the match.
- Flair accidentally rocked Asuka with a big boot. Bayley errantly level Sky moments later and set up the finish.
Rey Mysterio vs. Bobby Lashley
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A week after enduring a beatdown at the hands of The Street Profits, United States Champion Rey Mysterio battled Bobby Lashley with revenge on his mind.
For a moment, it appeared as though he might get it, rolling following a late 619. Instead, outside interference by Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins in the form of an attack on Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde distracted the Hall of Famer and opened him up for a spear from The All Mighty.
Three seconds later, Lashley scored the win, ensuring the heels enter Fastlane with momentum on their side.
This was a good, competitive match between two pros who have done this at the highest levels for a long time. They had solid chemistry and when you add in Santos Escobar, The Street Profits, and whoever the babyfaces get to team with them, the six-man tag at Fastlane is going to be copious amounts of fun.
Result
Lashley defeated Mysterio
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Backstage, The Bloodline and The Judgment Day came face-to-face after the former found the latter taking up residence in their locker room. Rhea Ripley ordered everyone out as she had business to talk with Paul Heyman.
- Mysterio vs. Lashley in 2023 has no business being as good as it is and we should all be here for it.
- Aggressive Street Profits may be the best Street Profits.
Dragon Lee vs. Austin Theory
5 of 7
A week after losing to Austin Theory following incessant interference from Grayson Waller, Cameron Grimes proved turnabout is fair play, laying the Aussie out at ringside. The distraction allowed the debuting Dragon Lee to defeat Theory by stacking him up with a roll up.
The match was solid enough for what it was but the presence of Waller, his involvement, and the ultimate interference from Grimes prevented it from ever reaching the next level.
And that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Using this as the emphasis for a rivalry involving four young, talented professional wrestlers that gives them television time is exactly the type of booking Triple H and Co. should deliver consistently.
Grimes is great, Lee has thrived and the heels are foundational players for SmackDown.
Really strong stuff here, even if one has to look beyond the surface for the reason why.
Result
Lee defeated Theory
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "I'm such a nice guy, I even let Dwayne share this ring with me," Theory said before the bell.
- Grayson Waller provided a distraction that allowed Theory to jump Lee and seize control of the bout.
- Kevin Patrick calling Theory and Waller a "formidable duo" and Michael Cole responding, "they've had, like, two matches" is why the latter is the GOAT.
- Cameron Grimes interfered late, sending Waller into the ring post and allowing Lee to score the win over a distracted Theory.
LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso
6 of 7
With Rhea Ripley's pitch for a united Judgment Day and Bloodline earlier in the show weighing on him, and Jimmy Uso's power plays becoming more and more costly, Paul Heyman guided the former tag team champion to the squared circle for his main event match against LA Knight.
A back and forth match gave way to a predictable run-in by Solo Sikoa that brought it to a disqualification conclusion. John Cena made the save, standing side-by-side with Knight, but The Judgment Day interrupted the proceedings.
After an approved union between the heel factions, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes rushed the ring to support the babyfaces, leading to a chaotic brawl to end the show.
JD McDonagh, the Judgment Day tag along that he is, bumped for the babyfaces to send the fans home happy.
This was a star-studded close to the show and a great way to put the final touches on the build to Fastlane. Given the numbers and the guys involve, though, one has to wonder if this was a preview of Survivor Series and a potential War Games bout.
It would certainly provide that show with some gravity and deliver a big time gimmick match involving the top stars in the company, exactly the sort of thing fans have come to expect out of the show.
Result
Knight defeated Uso via disqualification
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- The crowd singing "Kingdom" well after it stopped playing and Rhodes had joined the fray was special.
- Knight sharing the ring with the guys he was in there with is indicative of how WWE officials see him.
Overall Grade
7 of 7This was a great show, with some solid in-ring action, effective build to Fastlane, and a potential preview of things to come as WWE quickly adjusts its focus toward Survivor Series.
More importantly, the union between The Bloodline and The Judgment Day is an intriguing development and begs the question: where does Roman Reigns stand in all of it and how will he attempt to manipulate Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio?
Having questions that create excitement and interest are a good thing and WWE created those with this show. More importantly, it made Fastlane feel like a bigger show than it had been previously.
Those are two signs of an effectively executed broadcast.
Overall Grade: A
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