By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Friday Night Smackdown Kickoff Show
Aired October 16, 2020 on Fox
The Kickoff Show opened with a video package that delivered the message “change is coming” following the WWE Draft…
Michael Cole and Booker T checked in from a table on the main floor. Cole touted the ThunderDome. Cole noted that they were starting season two of Smackdown on Fox. Cole noted that they would be joined the “Renee Young” later in the show…
Paul Heyman delivered a backstage promo about Roman Reigns. Heyman labeled Braun Strowman as the most dangerous opponent in WWE. He said Reigns wasn’t taking the match lightly and that’s why he wasn’t appearing on the Kickoff Show. Heyman said Reigns was warming up in his locker room and called it a hype laden, talent intrusive Kickoff Show…
Cole turned things over to The Street Profits. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins hyped the various people appearing on the show. They still want the smoke… [C]
A pre-taped segment aired with Fox NFL Sunday crew Tony Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, and Tony Gonzalez offering their picks for the Reigns vs. Strowman match for the WWE Universal Championship…
Renee Young checked in from what appeared to be her home. She apologized for not being able to appear in person, but she said there was no way she would miss the season premiere. She set up a video package on the best moments of the first year of Smackdown on Fox…
Seth Rollins joined Cole and Booker at their desk. He said Friday Night Messiah doesn’t have the same ring to it as his Monday Night Messiah name. He said it was never about the name. Rollins said they made great strides on Raw, but he’s happy to bring his movement to Smackdown. Rollins also spoke about Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio moving to Smackdown…
A pre-taped video aired with George Kittle standing next to a Steve Austin cardboard cutout. Kittle sang the praises of Rollins. Back at the desk, Rollins was happy to get the praise from Kittle…
Braun Strowman was shown standing backstage while Cole hyped the Universal Title match…
David Ortiz checked in from the Fox Sports set. He was holding a WWE Championship belt and cut a promo on Booker T…
Booker said Ortiz is always sending him video messages. He said he’s in the ThunderDome whenever Ortiz wants to find him. Booker got fired up about it while Cole laughed…
Kayla Braxton interviewed Braun Strowman, who spoke about the history between him and Roman Reigns. He said they bring out the worst in each other. Strowman said the only thing Reigns will leave with is “getting these hands”…
Cole and Booker spoke about the Universal Title match. Cole noted that Steve Austin would be a guest on the Big Noon Kickoff show. They cut to host Rob Stone, who spoke with Austin via FaceTime…
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were shown backstage… [C] A video package showcased some of the wrestlers coming over from Raw via the draft…
Jay Glazer checked in from a Fox studio and said Strowman can’t take the Universal Title from Smackdown to Raw. Glazer also claimed his sources from inside the family told him that the family is backing Jey Uso. Glazer said everyone knows his only source in the family is The Rock…
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon joined Cole and Booker at their desk. They also spoke about the Universal Title match. Triple H also jokingly wondered what would happen if David Ortiz showed up and beat up Booker T. Stephanie said it’s been an incredible ride on Fox thus far and she can’t wait to see what happens in year two. Triple H spoke about the people coming over from Raw being hungry. Booker congratulated them on ThunderDome. He asked Hunter who is most likely to come to Smackdown and headline WrestleMania. Hunter named Rhea Ripley. Cole brought up Bianca Belair. Hunter raved about her WWE Performance Center tryout. Cole wrapped up the show…
Powell’s POV: The Kickoff Show did a nice job of making the Reigns vs. Strowman match feel important. Plus, WWE got the rub of having the Fox personalities appear on the show. Unfortunately, the audio of the Kittle clip was rough, and I’m shocked they actually advertised that bad phone video from Steve Austin. Join me for live coverage of WWE Smackdown via my report available on the main page.
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