Csonka’s WWE Super Show-Down 2018 Preview

WELCOME back to column time with Larry! Today, I am going to discuss and preview the WWE Super Show-Down 2018 event, which is the latest special international event from WWE. I will give my predictions, and break down the show match by match. While there are storylines heading in, due to the nature of looking post this show, there will also be a lot of speculating/fantasy booking as we get deep into the card. Feel free to make your picks in the comment section. Thanks for reading! It’s wrestling, we love it and will disagree. The only rules are to “have a take, be respectful, and don’t be a dick.” Thanks for reading.

If the images aren’t appearing, it’s because Photobucket is down.

Naomi & Asuka vs. The IIconics: This Smackdown feud started with the Iiconics making fun of Naomi for having no friend, and then both picking up singles wins over her in completely unspectacular efforts. Naomi finally picked up a win, but the numbers game was still against her, and the IIconics beat her down until Asuka finally made her return from doing nothing. She helped Naomi fight the Iiconics off and became friends. That leads us to the Super Show-Down and this tag match. More than anything, I am really hoping that the Iiconics have a great showing in their home country as their main roster run has been not only forgettable but to me a complete disappointment. Asuka is obviously very good and when she’s on, Naomi is not only good but also an extremely fun performer. The IIconics could pull a win here, but I see the babyfaces taking the win here. WINNERS: Naomi & Asuka

The Bellas & Ronda Rousey vs. The Riot Squad: This has been set up by the return of the Bellas, who returned to action, defeating the Riott Squad and quickly befriended Rousey. They continued the build on Raw, but if rumors are true, this match will be the set up for Rousey vs. Nikki at Evolution. With that being the case, I see dissention on the face side, leading to the Riot Squad pulling off the upset and kicking off the Rousey vs. Nikki Angle. WINNERS: The Riot Squad

Smackdown Women’s Title Match: Charlotte vs. Champion Becky Lynch: This is a rematch from Hell in a Cell, and while I won’t completely rule out a title change, I don’t think we’ll get one here. I really enjoyed their Hell in a Cell match, and hopefully they can play off of that so we get more of the same here. Despite crowd reaction, WWE still wants Becky to be the heel here and reportedly wanted her to “screw” Charlotte out of the title at Hell in a Cell, but instead, she won clean. With that being the alleged story, I could see Becky winning via some sort of shenanigans, leading to a third match at Evolution. WINNER: Champion Becky Lynch

Smackdown Tag Team Title Match: Champions The New Day vs. The Bar: The Bar getting the title shot here comes off as odd to me considering that they lost the mini-tournament to win a shot at Hell in a Cell. The only saving grace in this booking is that the teams have history in that The Bar ended New Day’s record run on Raw. So they know each other well and will have that history to play off of. With that being the case and the talent involved, I’d imagine that this will be at the very least a good and fun match and has the possibility to be more. I don’t see the titles changing hands here. WINNERS: The New Day

Cruiserweight Title Match: Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Buddy Murphy: This one right here gets the BANGER ALERT as this has the potential to be absolutely great and steal the show. Champion Cedric Alexander is undefeated in 2018, but has had his fair share of difficult challengers, including Murphy earlier in the year. Cedric Alexander has been a good babyface champion, giving the title and 205 Live as a whole much-needed stability. But while Alexander has been a great champion, Buddy Murphy is the comeback performer of 2018, going from a coconut loop guy in NXT to possibly the MVP of 205 live. The story of Alexander is that he’s a fighting champion, constantly being taken to his limit, but eventually overcoming. While Murphy is a heel, he’ll enjoy the home field advantage here in Australia. I think WWE will finally pull the title change to make the show feel special and to give Murphy a big moment. Also, he really can’t afford to lose to Alexander again. The time feels right for a change; Alexander has done a good job, but the story of him being taken to the limit time after time should play out here as he finally meets his match in Murphy and we finally get a fresh face with the championship, leading to them revisiting the Murphy vs. Ali feud, which was great the first time around, WINNER: Buddy Murphy

The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre: The main feud on Raw right now has been the Shield vs. Strowman’s dogs of war. Rollins & Ambrose had an absolute banger with Dolph & Drew at Hell in a Cell over the tag titles, while Reigns & Strowman will clash at WWE: Sweet Saudi Money II in a Universal title match with Brock Lesnar also involved. The feud between these six is far from over and by all reports, they will face off at TLC & possibly Survivor Series as well. With that being the case, I think the heels take this one in what could potentially be a great match. WINNERS: Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre

John Cena & Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Elias: Lashley has recently had issues with both Owens & Elias, and Cena also has a history with both guys soothe dynamic works here and plays well into Cena’s return match. Cena’s been away for a while working on movie projects, but looks to be in great shape. It will be interesting to see what he brings to the match and if he’s in ring shape. The good news is that it’s a tag match, so he won’t have to pull the full load. With it being Cena’s return match, I see the super friends picking up the win and the possibility of a Survivor Series match possibly being set up here. WINNER: John Cena & Lashley

#1 Contender’s Match: The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan: The Miz vs. Bryan feud continues here, and it will be interesting to see which path they take here. If Joe wins the title, Bryan winning makes sense and would be a great first challenger for him. But I think that WWE may be playing the long game with Bryan here. Miz winning and going onto dethrone Styles could set up a really great story of Bryan overcoming the odds, winning the Rumble, and finally vanquishing Miz at Mania to become the champion once again. I think that’s the path they take here in what has the potential to be a very good to great match. WINNER: The Miz

WWE Championship No Countout/No DQ Match: Samoa Joe vs. Champion AJ Styles: These two had great matches at Summerslam and Hell in a Cell, playing well off of their history and past matches. Styles won both matches, but the disputed finish at Hell in a Cell brings us here today, where there must be a winner. It will be interesting to see how the stipulation plays here. On one hand, the stipulation allows for a lot of smoke, mirrors, and shortcuts, which can often help and reel the crowd in. On the other hand, they already had two pretty great matches, and it could lead to complete overbooking, which could hurt the match hopefully that won’t happen. As mentioned above, I think the plan is Miz winning and going onto dethrone Styles to set up a really great story of Bryan overcoming the odds, winning the Rumble, and finally vanquishing Miz at Mania to become the champion once again; Styles retains. WINNER: AJ Styles

The Undertaker vs. Triple H: And here we come to the main event, so many times in a lifetime for the last time, allegedly. The thought of The Undertaker vs. Triple H in 2018 isn’t exactly exciting, but I’d like to think that these two are smart enough to work enough of a smart match before they get to the real point of this match that it will be solid and maybe event good. Kane & Shawn Michaels will be at ringside for this one, which is really the big story here if you’ve been following the rumor mill regarding a certain retired Heartbreak Kid coming out of retirement for WWE: Sweet Saudi Money II. I’m torn on the possible Shawn Michaels return, his retirement was so good and he’s passed on matches for years and on one hand, I don’t want that ruined. But on the other hand, if Michaels can and wants to come back and do a tag match with his friend and guys he respects while making some major coin, who am I to argue with him? I’m honestly not expecting much from the match as the main goal looks to set up that tag match, which leads me to think Triple H wins via Shawn shenanigans, and Undertaker demanding Michaels in a match, leading to the tag at WWE: Sweet Saudi Money II. WINNER: Triple H

JOIN ME TOMORROW AT 4AM ET FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF THE SHOW!

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– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”