SmackDown is QUARANTINED - 3.13.20

[slik]

Serious HHH opening the show

[ClockShot]

In a sick and twisted way, I'm watching this to see how well this works out.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sVqg3JKDY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sVqg3JKDY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sVqg3JKDY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The @WWEPC is ready to host the Blue Brand TONIGHT! #SmackDown on @FOXTV is LIVE at 8e/7c. (via @wwe)</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wweonfox/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> WWE on FOX</a> (@wweonfox) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-03-13T23:47:11+00:00">Mar 13, 2020 at 4:47pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

[Heisenberg]

ARE YOU FUCKIN READY??????

[ClockShot]

:lol:

This is sooooooooooooo weird.

[ClockShot]

AND TRIPLE H ON COMMENTARY TO TOP IT OFF!

[Droford]

My fox just went to breaking news about schools closing in Delaware

[ClockShot]

Shut up and fight. Nobody's listening.

Literally.

[slik]

Sasha/Bayley playing to the crowd that isn't there is sort of cringey

[Emperor Smeat]

Think someone forgot to tell Greg Hamilton that there isn't a crowd tonight.

[Droford]

Corey Graves must have coronavirus

[ClockShot]

You know, they don't even need microphones.

They can just talk normally and we could hear them.

Just do it New Japan style and have a guy behind the camera with a long range mic.

[slik]

The PC setup for SD looks 100 x better than the NXT setup in Full Sail

[Emperor Smeat]

Them playing this off as a perfectly normal and regular show has already been really weird to watch.

[Heisenberg]

They need to have Baron Corbin come out on a throne of TP and shit on Roman's chest

[slik]

In true WWE fashion a match starts and they immediately go to commercial

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The weirdest part of this - do they continue wrestling during the ad breaks if there’s no live crowd to entertain?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a></p>&mdash; Gary Cassidy (@consciousgary) <a href="https://twitter.com/consciousgary/status/1238618308099936270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Michael Cole stops focusing on the match to praise HHH for the Performance Center.

Just focus on the match plz.

[slik]

https://i.postimg.cc/zGhTBfCY/Screenshot-2020-03-13-at-7-13-26-PM.png

[Emperor Smeat]

Legit surprised WWE hasn't bothered to pipe in any fake crowd reactions considering they never had a problem not doing it in the past with actual crowds around.

[Triple A]

This is bizarre

[Droford]

Point made on Twitter

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lmao you think since there is no crowd, when they hit commercial they’re just chilling in the ring like “so how ya guys doing?”</p>&mdash; Ryan (@TheRealRyDawg) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealRyDawg/status/1238618363758292992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Women's tag match was decent at best.

[Sepholio]

lolol Sasha acting like theres a crowd.

[Droford]

Austin playing to an empty crowd will be weird

[Triple A]

Wish they would just play New Jack's theme throughout every match for the entire show

<iframe width="1206" height="678" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bqAytbHapC4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Triple H putting the workers over while making jokes and light of the situation. Color me interested lol.

[screech]

I wonder if they have a different headset for each commentary guest.

[Droford]

First show without WWE fans, not including any empty arena matches or Halftime Heat

[Droford]

Fistbump?

[Triple A]

Wish I could fast forward

[screech]

Wish I could fast forward

Me too

[DAMN iNATOR]

Yay, time for the "PLZ LOVE ROMAN REIGNS!" Hour. :roll: :lol:

[screech]

Cole's suit is terrible

[Sepholio]

roman making me hate him even more now. Spitting generic IM ENTITLED TO THIS nonsense.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The tables have truly turned. Now John Cena can’t see the fans.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a> <a href="https://t.co/5xrF1MTXFZ">pic.twitter.com/5xrF1MTXFZ</a></p>&mdash; Minute Maid Fruit Punch (@Tommy_W1587) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tommy_W1587/status/1238617792661917701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[DAMN iNATOR]

It should be real interesting to see the ratings for tonight once they come out...

[Sepholio]

IVE BEEN GROOMED FOR THIS MY WHOLE LIFE. We know Roman, its forced down our throats weekly for years now.

[Sepholio]

I am perfectly fine with Jeff Hardy kicking Corbins ass.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Jeff Hardy bragging about how healthy he feels. :shifty:

[slik]

I know this might sound weird....but I think I might prefer not having a crowd.█

[Droford]

So that's how they're going to fill 2 hours

[Emperor Smeat]

Reigns interview segment was pretty good but Cole's call back to the crowd at the end was odd.

Someone on Twitter made a good point about how WWE really shouldn't go ahead with Mania in Tampa due to Reigns immune system likely has been compromised because of his leukemia related stuff. Reigns liking the tweet after also brought that situation out in the open.

[Droford]

Reigns interview segment was pretty good but Cole's call back to the crowd at the end was odd.

Someone on Twitter made a good point about how WWE really shouldn't go ahead with Mania in Tampa due to Reigns immune system likely isn't at full strength because of his leukemia related stuff. Reigns liking the tweet after also brought that situation out in the open.

His match will be like 30 seconds tops

[slik]

oh, now they are replaying a match from Elimination Chamber.

Oh, um ok

[Emperor Smeat]

His match will be like 30 seconds tops

Even 30 seconds could be just enough time for the virus to infect him depending on who is around for the show. Chances lower if its an empty stadium but still a potential concern.

[Droford]

Sami vs Bryan at WM WM hopefully

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They really did stop wrestling during the commercials! <a href="https://t.co/Pi6zBkz3qI">pic.twitter.com/Pi6zBkz3qI</a></p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1238625860518805504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Surprised WWE didn't just call in some NXT talent to help fill content for tonight's show.

Last time they did it, it gave a huge boost to NXT's image and helped turn the tide for a while against AEW.

[xrodmuc316]

Stupid to be airing Elimination Chamber match.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This run on toilet paper is honestly one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen, and I watched every Nitro. <a href="https://t.co/7Ka7oz6PQi">pic.twitter.com/7Ka7oz6PQi</a></p>&mdash; Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/1238629060969771008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: Triple H making fun of Cole for taking a piss break during the Tag chamber replay.

[Droford]

Everyone wants hhh on commentary now

[Emperor Smeat]

This Tag title chamber match just reminds me of how badly they laid out both Chamber matches this year.

The tag title one was more enjoyable than the Women's one though and should have ended the event instead.

[Droford]

Tag belts are black now

[Emperor Smeat]

Wonder what got cut from the original plans for tonight considering they decided to replay this tag chamber match pretty much in its entirely.

[slik]

At some point WWE will put up a WrestleMania sign in the PC for people to point at.

[Droford]

Wonder what got cut from the original plans for tonight considering they decided to replay this tag chamber match pretty much in its entirely.

Paige

[Sepholio]

LMAO HHH "We can't all have one job for 30 years and still not be good at it Michael"

[Sepholio]

That is like absolute stone cold murder as far as an insult. I don't think Cole caught the whole line because I dunno how he kept talking if he did lmao.

[Emperor Smeat]

Triple H's antics have been the best part about tonight's odd show.

[Droford]

Mojo just got traded to SD

[Lock Jaw]

Gronk signed and Mojo back to GETTING HYPED!!

[Droford]

Riddick Moss on RAW milk carton probably now

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Does <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/socialdistancing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#socialdistancing</a> cover <a href="https://twitter.com/WWECesaro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWECesaro</a> sending Bryan to the moon before uppercutting him? <a href="https://t.co/R6kgNlNs90">pic.twitter.com/R6kgNlNs90</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@tde_wrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/tde_wrestling/status/1238640105750962177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Jeff Hardy calling out a spot.

[Sepholio]

Speaking of Jeff Hardy, wtf is a twist of fury?

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE really should have reconsidered doing these in-ring promos and segments since they've come off very awkward with them playing to the crowd despite the lack of one.

[slik]

We'll see how RAW goes Monday

[Sepholio]

Brays didn't really play to the crowd. Combined with his mannerisms there that may be the creepiest promo he's ever done imo. He was believable unhinged right there.

[Lock Jaw]

They were playing to the crowd at home..... was fine....

[Emperor Smeat]

Considering the circumstances, tonight's show was decent although they should have leaned a lot more into the absurdness or morbidness of the show instead of just trying to play things straight.

[Emperor Smeat]

Brays didn't really play to the crowd. Combined with his mannerisms there that may be the creepiest promo he's ever done imo. He was believable unhinged right there.

Bray's promo was fine but Cena's felt awkward in general.

[Lock Jaw]

Cena's felt good.... Good that he could remain "fired up" without the crowd.....

I mean I know Roman Reigns isn't really known for being a promo guy.... but he seemed almost asleep out there without a crowd

[slik]

While I really enjoyed HHH on commentary tonight - have to give Michael Cole applause too. This was the most fun/likable Cole has been on commentary in Y-E-A-R-S.

[slik]

Reby responds to people wondering why Jeff Hardy's Twist of Fate was renamed Twist of Fury

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">™</p>&mdash; Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) <a href="https://twitter.com/RebyHardy/status/1238644849265516549?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sepholio]

So Matt won't let his own brother use the name? Am I reading that right?

[teamXtremist]

Watching the empty arena was sooo creepy. I still give mad respect to everyone who preformed for us wrestling fans in this time of uncertainty

[Emperor Smeat]

So Matt won't let his own brother use the name? Am I reading that right?

Probably WWE not wanting to bother to deal with a trademark dispute they'd likely lose nor pay for rights that might not be exclusive to them.

[DaveWadding]

It's 205 LIVE from yet another empty arena near you!

[DaveWadding]

Wow, just the one match tonight.

[DaveWadding]

Love KUSHIDA. Had a damn good match with Mendoza on NXT.

[DaveWadding]

Mike Kanellis probably has the coronavirus right now.

[DaveWadding]

Jack Gallagher's tats :lol:

[Jordan]

Smackdown was fun. I didn't watch Elimination Chamber so I loved the tag match being shown. WWE did a great job all things considered.

[Jordan]

I felt like every promo segment was awesome. Reading some of the thoughts here I am surprised. I thought Cole and HHH were great, Roman was at his best, Cena was on fire, Miz and Morrison were hilarious, Hardy was Hardy at his best, Sami was on fire for sure, and Bray/Cena was one of the best reach around jobs WWE has ever done. They so rarely use the past in an angle but to wrap around with Bray losing his mind when he dropped to Cena 6 years ago at Mania, and Cena coming out hard with fire shooting about how Bray doesn't have what it takes and he's here to eliminate him. Fuck! That was fire John Cena, never herd him talk like that!

[Jordan]

The ring work was also great. I think the workers playing to the crowd was just habit, stupid yes but I dont think they knew anything else. Didn't ruin the show for me. Im proud of WWE for putting out the show during this time.

[teamXtremist]

The ring work was also great. I think the workers playing to the crowd was just habit, stupid yes but I dont think they knew anything else. Didn't ruin the show for me. Im proud of WWE for putting out the show during this time.


I agree, there were times they would look at the crowd almost instinctively