Below is an on-site report from Wrestleview reader Andrew Elder, who attended this past Friday night’s WWE SmackDown at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN.
Thank you Andrew for providing the following:
-Fans were pumped being there. The crowd did the usual Ric Flair woos, Stone Cold chants, even someone yelling of Devon get the tables: Yeah it’s old but it’s fun to hear though. Not a lot of people in costumes like they usually are. I did see someone dressed up like Where’s Waldo? lol
-There was the usual WWE riot act announcement when lights went out of what you can and can’t do. Jerry Lawler came out to huge pop to welcome us with the royal welcome to WWE SmackDown and to show WWE that we were there for a good time. There was quick pop for the King as he left.
-Dark Match to open up (didn’t advertise it or say it was a Main Event taping so don’t think it was, others may report it is that but no mention or video for main event shown): Tegan Knox beat Xi Lia. Tegan got some pop, but not that big of one. It’s understandable as she hasn’t been around a lot. It was a decent match to get the crowd ready for SmackDown.
-The Bloodline came out on the side and people started getting hyped. The crowd began cheering when they started tearing up the announce table. When Roman’s music hit, there was a big roar for the Tribal Chief
-Apparently Drew McIntyre and Sheamus are going to be called The Banger Bros
Other Observations:
-LA Knight, even though a heel gets so much love, even insulting Memphis. The people still loved the guy
-Fans weren’t fooled and warned Ricochet that Hit Row was going to jump him. We’ll see how the heel run turns out.
-Love that the organic (Memphis Original) chant of Whoop that Trick (from Hustle and Flow movie and also a Memphis Grizzlies chant reserved for the Golden State Warriors, especially Steph Curry and Dravon Green) was picked up by Charlotte, who said I think they’re calling you something Sonya and actually saying she accepted match and called Sonya. The chant stayed around through the match (Vince era you’re not getting that).
-I know Charlotte gets so much heat for how many times she’s been champ. She was really over in Memphis.
-Lacey Evans video was not over when it was showed to the crowd
-The Bloodline/Sheamus/Drew/Brutes/Charlotte biggest pops of the night (Even a thank you Charlotte chant)
-Karrion Kross and Scarlett had a great visual presentation but not so great of a match. Also Karrion carried Scarlett out on his shoulders
-Love Samantha Irvin as ring announcer. She’s really into it and gets things over and was great during the breaks
-Had the DX Cam, Universe, and Dance Cam during the breaks
-Very good crowd. I believe WrestleTix said 9,000 or so and I could definitely see that
-Overall, it was a great night
Photos Taken By Andrew From Friday night’s WWE SmackDown:
