Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
It’s time for a special show with a Throwback edition of Smackdown. I’m not sure what that is going to entail but we are going to be seeing at least the old logo. I can’t imagine we’ll be seeing the big fist just due to logistics, but a few cameos should be in order as well. Let’s get to it.
We open with a Rock montage talking about Smackdown.
The opening video is a collection of all kinds of old school stuff, including Gorilla Monsoon on pay per views.
The (modern version of the) old WWF logo is back and McAfee is in a Vince McMahon blue blazer, while Cole is in the denim shirt.
-Originally aired September 20, 1986.
-Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, and Johnny V. Weirdness: There is a match in progress in the ring during the opening, but it’s never acknowledged.
THE ISLANDERS vs. HART FOUNDATION (with Jimmy Hart)
-This drove me crazy when I was reviewing two years’ worth of Championship Wrestling…we are now in September 1986 and the chyron still says “Brett Hart.” The extra T is for Tears in His Eyes as He Told Me What a Great Worker I Am. On the other side of the ring, they’re still workshopping the Islanders, with Lord Alfred Hayes, the commentators, and the chyron all identifying them as “Hako and Toma.”
Tonight s Throwback SmackDown is a special retro episode and continues the build to WrestleMania Backlash.
Last week, Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan to retain his title and banish Bryan from SmackDown. Bryan s WWE contract legitimately expired last Friday at midnight.
After the match, Reigns went to give Bryan a con-chair-to, but Cesaro made the save. Cesaro beat down Reigns but was eventually tied up in the ropes after being attacked by Jey Uso. Reigns then gave Bryan a con-chair-to as Cesaro was powerless to help Bryan.
Cesaro goes one-on-one with Seth Rollins tonight. Cesaro defeated Rollins at WrestleMania 37 last month, but Rollins has continued to target Cesaro since. Rollins was offended that Cesaro wants a Universal title shot and promised him that their feud isn t over.