WWE will be taping a few shows ahead of the U.S. Labor Day holiday, and they started with Friday’s!
by Sean Rueter
To give the main roster some time off around the U.S. Labor Day holiday weekend, WWE taped this week’s SmackDown after last night’s early Raw.
With this schedule (which is a bit confusing, because this Friday they’re taping both next week’s shows on Friday night in Cleveland. So I guess they’re getting next Monday off for Labor Day?), taped editions of Raw and SmackDown will premiere at their usual times on USA Network or Netflix, depending on your location or use of Stephanie McMahon’s advice.
Here are spoilers for the SmackDown we’ll see on Friday night, courtesy of Tom Sherwood and PWInsider’s Jane Murphy:
- A match to determine CM Punk’s next challenger was set-up when first Gunther, then Finn Bálor interrupted Kevin Owens’ show-opening promo.
- Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) def. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green. Green was led away by medical staff at one point, but returned to finish the match.
- In a backstage scene, Gunther interrupts a meeting between Danhausen and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis.
- Tatum Paxley def. Michin. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were out with Paxley.
- Jacy Jayne def. Paige. Nikki Bella attacked Paige post-match.
- Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens vs. Gunther ends in DQ/non-finish when Sami Zayn interferes. Zayn stands tall to end that segment.
- Giulia attacks Blake Monroe during a backstage segment.
- Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s promo segment includes Orton going off on Rhodes’ “trash ass wife” and taking shots at Cody’s mother since he couldn’t put hands on Randy.
Seem like a decent way to spend a couple hours this Friday night?
