Tiffany’s Takes: WWE SmackDown Live (7/23/19)

The RAW Reunion is in the books. How will SmackDown build their SummerSlam card?

Why is New Day on the announce table if Shane McMahon’s cutting a promo? Something about this doesn’t add up. I really don’t like David Otunga, but since Byron Saxton is out due to the death of his father, I’ll put up with him. OH, Graves and Saxton are out, so New Day is filling in. Gotcha.

I like Shane looking around to be sure Kevin Owens isn’t around. However, blah, blah, blah, get to the point. McMahon vs Owens at SummerSlam. Works for me. So we’re bringing up a year old video for justification? Shane, do you REALLY want to go down that rabbithole?

What fucking weird ass world are we in that I’m happy Owens is here? Also, love the sleeve. Love Owens being candid. Owens tried to not ruffle feathers? Good Lord. Well, don’t pull punches, Kev, tell us what you think. Roman Reigns vs KO sounds like Shane’s going to get his ass kicked twice.

Ah, the good squad. Have a feeling all of them will get their asses kicked tonight. Way to play the Bond Villain, Shane.

I hate Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance, it always gives me a headache. Apollo Crews has come a long way, but he still doesn’t grab me. This was a great match, but I wasn’t shocked Nakamura won, I’m more surprised they gave Crews the time instead of making it a squash.

I’m a little curious about the storyline building between Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose, but I’m a little afraid that it’s going to catch a lot of flack. Interesting that they get a match against the IIconics next week. Looks like it’ll be a Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam.

Love fired up! Ali, hope he gets a title shot at SummerSlam.

In another universe, Shawn Michaels and Miz would be a dream match. Same with Michaels and Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler KIND OF reminds me of HBK in the 90s, but HBK had a charm that offset his brashness that Ziggler does NOT have. Also, does anyone have aloe vera, because Ziggler might need it for that burn. Ouch. He. Did. NOT! Oh, you’ll pay for that one, Ziggy.

Charlotte Flair is back and just HAPPENED to be put in a match with Bayley’s #1 Contender, Ember Moon, and once again, WWE RUINED my comments about Charlotte and the Women’s Title picture. So rude! Joking aside, I’m glad it looks like Ember is going to get a one on one with Bayley instead of Charlotte shoehorning herself in like what happened last year to Becky Lynch, but that turned out pretty good. Also, love Bayley getting one over on Charlotte. Not here for Moon turning on Bayley. Guess Charlotte will get in anyway. Damn.

I really love the idea of Kofi Kingston laying down a SummerSlam Challenge, but we already know Randy Orton’s going to get it and I’d prefer Ali. Why are we digging out old footage this week? Kingston and Daniel Bryan proved at WrestleMania that two smaller guys can carry a main event, I think it’s time that someone proves that two POC can carry a main event on a big stage.

Kingston vs Samoa Joe was good, as usual, but this was another match to set up something bigger, which was disappointing. I’d normally say we’re probably getting a Triple Threat, but it looks like Samoa Joe is going to be tangling with Roman Reigns, it’s going to be a one-on-one.

Finn Balor is here! I thought Balor was going to have a match, but we got Firefly FunHouse, God help us all. I’m not sure which is more disturbing, this or Bray Wyatt as Sister Abigail. At least FFH wasn’t Bray Wyatt in a weird veil and a bad voice and I could change the channel on this one. I had to sit through the Sister Abigail farce.

I don’t know why Michael Cole is suddenly on SmackDown again, but I’ll go along with it.

Okay, so Charlotte still thinks she owns the Women’s Division after being gone for months. Sorry, Charlotte, you got usurped. Find your own match because we’ve moved on.

Boy, the McMahons can’t resist playing Bond Villain, can they? Shane thought he had all the angles covered, and then KO and Roman Reigns flipped the table. Sorry Shane, better luck at SummerSlam.

That’s it for Tiffany’s SmackDown Takes! Stay tuned for 205 Live!