Pro Wrestling

WWE Super Showdown Recap

Posted on Author Jeremy Laracuente Comment(0)

The controversial event from the WWE entitled Super Showdown aired this past Friday at 2 pm from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. And we won’t dive into all of the controversy surrounding these Saudi shows; we’ve covered that more in-depth in the Super Showdown Preview and Predictions episode of the Laracuente Ledger Podcast. So let’s recap the event, WWE Super Showdown.

Kickoff Show

Usos vs. The Revival

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.5/5
Predicted Winner: The Usos
Actual Winner: The Usos

This match would begin with about ten minutes remaining until the main card went live. So you knew that the matchup would be fast paced. The Usos would jump out to an early advantage. The Revival would then begin to employ the tag team chemistry and style that makes them so much fun to watch. It is sad that this match was given such a small amount of time. As both teams are so talented. The Revival versus the Usos is a tag team matchup that I can enjoy at all times. And although it was a very good match, I wish they were given more time to demonstrate their dynamic ability, that is why it received the rating it did.

Main Card

WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Baron Corbin

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 3/5
Predicted Winner: Seth Rollins
Actual Winner: Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins would be heavily bandaged after the assault by Brock Lesnar on Monday Night Raw. And as expected, Baron Corbin would focus on the midsection. Rollins would really sell the injured ribs, and Corbin would play into it quite beautifully. The pace and story within the matchup was perfectly built up because of Seth’s selling ability. The commentary would also make a ton of references to the looming threat of Brock Lesnar’s Cash-In. Brock Lesnar would shout Friday when Paul Heyman pleaded for Lesnar to cash-in on Raw. This contest would actually be one of Baron Corbin’s best matches. That being said, the closing moments and the interaction with the referee and Baron Corbin would be a joke of a finish to a pretty good Universal Championship match.

Following a post-match, End of Days by Baron Corbin, Brock Lesnar would come out to the ring. Seth Rollins would deliver a low bow and a series of chair shots. Rollins would unload some vicious and brutal chair shots on Lesnar and would follow that with a Curb-Stomp onto the Money in the Bank briefcase.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Finn Balor vs. Andrade

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 5/5
Predicted Winner: Finn Balor
Actual Winner: Finn Balor

The Demon entrances are always something spectacular, but this one felt even more special. The commentary team would do an incredible job of building the mindset of the Demon King. And what makes Finn Balor go to a place where he dons the Demon skin. One outstanding different between “the man” Finn Balor and the Demon King is the level of aggressiveness of the Demon King. Finn does a fantastic job of separating the two styles. This was the match I was most looking forward to on the entire card. The athletism of both men is off the charts. The Demon and Andrade would put on an incredible matchup. Both men would excel in the contest and come out of the other side of the match better than ever.

Shane McMahon w/ Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 3/5
Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns
Actual Winner: Shane McMahon

The match would start with a distraction by McIntyre allowing Shane to begin his barrage of strikes. And a quick shine spot for Roman would quickly be countered by Shane. McIntyre would deliver a cheap shot on the outside. And the majority of the matchup would be controlled by Shane McMahon, something I was fearful of going into the contest. However, this was arguably Shane best performance since returning to WWE. Roman would deliver the best Superman Punch to a prone Shane McMahon ascending to the top turnbuckle. But ultimately Shane would be knocked into the referee allowing McIntyre to enter hit Reigns with a Claymore. This allowed Shane to pick up the victory. And as I said on the Laracuente Ledger Podcast WWE Super Showdown Preview and Predictions episode if this 10-minute near the 10-minute mark, it would be good. And that’s just about the exact time this match went, ten minutes.

3-On-1 Handicap: Lucha House Party vs. Lars Sullivan

Laracuente Ledger Rating: .75/5
Predicted Winner: Lars Sullivan
Actual Winner: Lars Sullivan

The matchup went as expected Lars would dominate and brutalize the Lucha House Party. The Lucha House Party would then sense that Lars would not be defeated leading to all three men attacking him and getting themselves disqualified. Following the attack, Lars would quickly rebound and destroy all three members of the Lucha House Party.

One note of mention the crowd was silent throughout much of this matchup. The commentary team tried to spin it as if the fans were in shock and awe of Lars Sullivan and his attack. However, it seemed more like a lack of care for this matchup and an unmemorable build.

Randy Orton vs. Triple H

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 3/5
Predicted Winner: Randy Orton
Actual Winner: Randy Orton

The early part of the matchup was a feeling out process. Both men know each other very well. Triple H would focus his attack on the arm and shoulder of Orton. But Orton would turn the tide and turn the pace even more methodical. The commentary team would focus on the mentor/mentee relationship of Triple H and Randy Orton. The match would have a slower pace, and the Jeddah crowd would still be into the matchup even passed the 20-minute mark. And as predicted the one man that Triple H has constantly put over Randy Orton would come out victorious. On the preview and predictions episode of the Laracuente Ledger Podcast, this match was likely going to go past the 10-minute mark even though I felt it shouldn’t be that long. However, unlike the Triple H match with Batista at Wrestlemania, this matchup didn’t drag on in quite the same way. And that is a testament to Randy Orton’s ability to carry the matchup.

Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 1/5
Predicted Winner: Bobby Lashley
Actual Winner: Braun Strowman

The early part of this matchup felt more like the strongman competition instead of a wrestling match. This match was always going to be about a test of strength. And both men would try to overpower the other. There honestly wasn’t a lot to this matchup. This match was all about the hard-hitting slams.

WWE Championship: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 4/5
Predicted Winner: Kofi Kingston
Actual Winner: Kofi Kingston

Dolph Ziggler would control the early goings in this match. Dolph would try to keep Kofi grounded. And as the match would continue Dolph would maintain that control until a barrage of pin exchanges. These two men are extremely talented performers. Xavier Woods would check on his friend and for his efforts would be Superkicked for that effort. But for that unprovoked attack, Xavier would deliver an Enzugiri on Dolph Ziggler. Thus leading to a Trouble in Paradise by Kofi for the victory.

50-Man Battle Royal

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 2.5/5
Predicted Winner: AJ Styles
Actual WInner: Mansoor

All 50 men in this match would begin in the ring at the same time. And it would be you typical Over-The-Top-Rope Battle Royal. We were going to attempt to list the eliminations as we do for most battle royals, but with so many superstars in the ring, it was difficult to keep track. But as very large battle royals go, this one was more interesting than I expected. The hometown man would be victorious.

Goldberg vs. Undertaker

Laracuente Ledger Rating: 0/5
Predicted Winner: Undertaker
Actual Winner: Undertaker

From the opening moments of Goldberg’s entrance, we could hear him smash his head and a small cut forming. The pyrotechnics timing would be off, and Goldberg would keep shouting. And all of that would lead the world to believe that this match was destined to be a train wreck. And boy was it ever. Goldberg would use Undertaker’s throat-cutting gesture to taunt the Undertaker. Leading Taker to drill Goldberg with a right hand that drove Goldberg into the ropes. Quickly rebounding Goldberg would deliver a Spear. Goldberg would then deliver a second Spear. But after a quick pinfall attempt, Undertaker would sit up. We would see Goldberg then try some sort of kneebar/ heel hook?! (Maybe.) Goldberg would attempt a charge into a prone Undertaker in the corner, but Undertaker would move out of the way. The charge into the corner turnbuckle would result in Goldberg’s head being cut open even more than it initially was at the outset.

The methodical pace of the Triple H/Randy Orton match was not matched by this slow match. Undertaker would deliver Old School, and Goldberg would be visibly shakeup. Taker would then deliver a Chokeslam and a Tombstone. The Tombstone would drop Goldberg directly on his head in a brutal looking way. But Goldberg would kick out at two. This matchup was difficult to watch as neither man truly belongs inside of a wrestling ring anymore. Goldberg would hit another Spear and then a botched Jackhammer. The Jackhammer would completely spike the Undertaker. Goldberg would attempt to pick Undertaker up for a Tombstone, but Goldberg couldn’t hold him. Both men would fall, and then Taker would hit a Chokeslam. And thankfully end this difficult to witness contest.

Overall Super Showdown Rating: 2.48/5

As expected, this event is one that arguably should not have happened. But they are events that will continue to happen. The highlight of the night was Andrade versus the Demon King Finn Balor, followed by Kofi versus Dolph. The low-light was clearly the main event between Goldberg and Undertaker, the 3-on-1 handicap match, and the battle of the behemoths. (Strowman & Lashley.)

And if I could offer my two cents to WWE for a moment. When 90% of your best talent is not willing to work the event because it would be sacrificing their moral conscience that should be a clear enough answer to make a change. But that’s just my random opinion that you won’t even know exist.

Jeremy Laracuente

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