Smackdown Reax - 10/4/16

Read on for my thoughts on last night's Smackdown.

- Bray vs. Kane:
Oh look it's this match again.

Fine so far.

Kane can still turn it up here and there. The relaxed schedule seems to have rejuvenated him to a degree (wear and tear plus decades of bumps will take its toll on anyone).

Cool counter to the chokeslam.

- Orton promo:
That was kind of silly, but it sold the angle.

- Bray vs. Kane continued:
It's telling Kane couldn't even get the chokeslam and pinfall after Orton's distraction.

- Baron/Swagger segment:
Fine with this match taking place.

- Alexa vs. Nikki:
Alexa winning here would definitely show her as a credible contender and sell the New Era. Just saying.

Well that was quick!

NOW HOLD UP JUST A MINUTE NOW PLAYAS!!!!!!!!

- Carmella/Alexa vs. Becky/Nikki in a STRAIGHT-UP. TAG TEAM MATCH!!!!
Seeing Carmella and Alexa together is odd after they feuded in NXT, but the enemy of your enemy is your friend and all that.

I'd like it if Carmella stepped things up like Alexa has. She does her role well, but it'd be good to have her also become a pretty solid wrestler.

Becky's always good. She's the right person to lead the division.

That was a pretty good ending to set up Sunday's match.

- Bray hunting Randy some more:
Bray should have locked that rocking chair up. Does he (in kayfabe) have to tote that thing around from city to city?

- Vaudevillains vs. H. Bros:
I like Mojo, as goofy as he is.

Good to see The Ascension not wanting to be left out in all this.

Fun match so far.

Good match overall, although I'm not really pleased The Vaudevillains have already been knocked so far down.Someone has to be at their place in their hierarchy, though.

- MizTV:
GOD I love Miz and Maryse. They've been one of the best cases of the draft spotlighting people.

All this Dolph burial is amazing.

They're just BRUTAL in going after Ziggler here.

That was amazing.

Dolph's cringey comedy and try-hard attitude can't change soon enough. I'm not demonizing effort, but there's a difference between working really hard and working really smart.

Pretty passionate promo from Dolph.

OMG OMG OMG PLEASE BRING BACK THE SPIRIT SQUAD.

That was a lot of fun overall. Shout-out for getting Kenny and Mikey back.

- Another No Mercy match:
Nikki vs. Carmella works for me.

- Jey vs. Jordan:
The running gag about Otunga talking to Rikishi is pretty entertaining.

That was good while it lasted. I think they could put on a tag team clinic.

- Post-match:
That was pretty good. I'm really liking the attitude change for the Usos.

- More Bray:
Luke Harper tease? I'd pop if it was the Broken Hardys, but obviously that's not happening.

You can't out-spooky Bray, Orton.

- Cena talks smack:
That was based. They're getting some serious leeway with the worked shoot stuff on Talking Smack.

- Hawkins promo:
I'm definitely ready for this to pay off. Even if it's just a squash match at NM, it's time to see him in action.

- Swagger vs. Corbin:
Good action early. Corbin's pre-WWE background is a little underrated since he didn't work "bingo halls" or in another country.

I like Corbin's brutality.

Corbin's pretty solid for his role.

Oh look it's a screwjob ending.

- AJ/Cena/Ambrose faceoff:
I'm really liking AJ getting a headlining role.

Ambrose's material has been really lame lately.

I did like Dean pointing out it was him who brought the title to Smackdown, although I would assume Cena winning the Universal Championship would also "tie Flair's record."

AJ taking charge against Cena was pretty cool.

The irony of AJ sticking up for Flair after what they did together in TNA is rich.

I really like AJ telling Cena to think about the champ instead of Flair.

Good to see Ambrose and AJ get a lot of the promo time here.

Pretty fired-up verbiage from Ambrose. Good to show his contrast with Cena.

Pretty good action, and Cena didn't need to say a word because he's already a credible main eventer.

Nice ending to the show.