WWE Super Showdown 2018: Report Card

The Super Showdown took place this past Saturday night. It featured Asuka & Naomi vs The IIconics, Cedric Alexander vs Buddy Murphy for the Cruiserweight Championship, Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs The Riott Squad, Bobby Lashley & John Cena vs Kevin Owens & Elias, Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women's Championship, The New Day vs The Bar for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship, The Shield vs The Dogs of War in a 6-Man Tag Team match, and Undertaker vs Triple H.

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Smackdown Tag Team Titles: New Day (c) vs The Bar

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods represented New Day on Super Showdown.

Result: The New Day defeated The Bar via pinfall with a backstabber/diving foot stomp combo.

Grade: B

Analysis: This was a pretty good opening match. The crowd in Melbourne seemed to really like Cesaro as he got a huge pop when his entrance music played.

While the match wasn't as good as their match on SmackDown Live earlier this year in August, it was still a good match. Both teams took each other to the limit and looked great each other.

Because the match ended clean, it is not so obvious if there will be a rematch but it would certainly be welcome. After their feud with the Bar ends, they can face the likes of the Usos, the Club, & SAnitY.

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Smackdown Women's Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs Charlotte Flair

Becky Lynch had her first title defense against Charlotte Flair.

Result: Charlotte defeated Becky Lynch via disqualification after Becky Lynch hit Charlotte with her title. The two superstars then got into a brawl that ended with Becky Lynch coming out on top.

Grade: B+

Analysis: This was an excellent matchup. It was better than their match at Hell in a Cell. Both women had a very intense match.

It seemed like Charlotte Flair would actually be able to win the title back. The two women exchanged quick reversals and Becky Lynch looked like the resilient champion that she is.

However, WWE is still trying to make Becky Lynch the heel even though the crowd is behind her. It would've been better for Charlotte to get herself disqualified after getting so frustrated.

Bobby Lashley & John Cena vs Elias & Kevin Owens

John Cena returned to WWE for one night.

Result: John Cena & Bobby Lashley defeated Kevin Owens & Elias when John Cena pinned Elias with the Lightning Fist.

Grade: C+

Analysis: This match followed a normal house show tag team formula. It would've been nice to see Lio Rush accompany Bobby Lashley since interactions between John Cena & Lio Rush would've been gold.

Bobby Lashley, unfortunately, didn't gain much sympathy as the face in peril. However, John Cena showed a lot of energy.

He got a huge reaction from the crowd and looked great. However, it would've been nice to see Kevin Owens & Elias put a little bit more of a fight against John Cena. Maybe, we'll see John Cena face Bobby Lashley at WWE Crown Jewel.

Asuka & Naomi vs The IIconics

The IIconics returned to their home country.

Result: The IIconics defeated Naomi and Asuka via pinfall when Peyton Royce pinned Naomi with a double underhook/running knee combo.

Grade: B-

Analysis: This was a decent match. All of the women took advantage of the time they got and looked great. Naomi was great on the hot tag but once she got the tag, it seemed obvious that it would be the IIconics that got the win.

This is the best way that this match could've ended because the IIconics needed a win but Asuka could not afford to take another pinfall loss.

Therefore, Asuka was protected but the IIconics got some much-needed momentum (so they can potentially challenge for Women's Tag Team Titles). It's also nice that they were able to get this win in their hometown.

WWE Championship No Disqualification Match: AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe

This rivalry was finally put to bed.

Result: AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe via submission with the Calf Crusher.

Grade: A-

Analysis: This was an extremely physical matchup. The two superstars went back and forth with each other. It is also nice that the two did not use the no disqualification stipulation as an excuse to throw several weapon spots in the match.

They allowed their wrestling ability to make the match excellent. Like all AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe matches in WWE, they started slow and then started to increase the pace. The finishing sequence was amazing.

AJ Styles was able to fluently transition the Coquina Clutch into the Calf Crusher. However, since Samoa Joe is such a monster, it would've been nice if he didn't tap out (this is where the A- comes in).

It would have been better if AJ Styles got the pin with a Styles Clash on a chair. However, it can be excused since AJ Styles worked on the leg throughout the match.

Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs The Riott Squad

This small feud came to an end.

Result: Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins defeated The Riott Squad when Ronda Rousey submitted both Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan with a double Armbar.

Grade: B

Analysis: This was a solid six-woman tag team match. The Riott Squad had another great performance. Liv Morgan performed excellently for someone who had suffered a concussion.

It is nice that she got the opportunity to get a few licks in on Brie Bella after she was knocked out on Monday Night Raw. Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan were great as well.

The hint of a heel turn for the Bella Twins was subtle which is better than the idea of a Nikki Bella heel turn after the match.

Ronda Rousey was excellent as well. She truly looked like the "Baddest Woman on the Planet" as she was able to submit two women at once. Ronda Rousey vs Nikki Bella at Evolution actually has the potential to succeed.

Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander (c) vs Buddy Murphy

Buddy Murphy received his 2nd televised Cruiserweight Championship match.

Result: Buddy Murphy defeated Cedric Alexander via pinfall with Murphy's Law.

Grade: A+

Analysis: This was the best match of the night. The two were determined to steal the show and they definitely were able to do that.

The two hit each other with insane moves. Cedric Alexander hit Buddy Murphy with an Avalanche Michinoku Driver that only got a near-fall. It was also shocking when Buddy Murphy kicked out of the Lumbar Check.

Buddy Murphy was a fan favorite as the hometown hero which allowed the crowd to be invested in the matchup.

It was also time that Cedric Alexander was dethroned as champion. After going through every heel in the roster besides Lio Rush (who needs to spend more time on the 205 Live roster before getting a title shot), it was time for a new champion.

Buddy Murphy had been stealing the show on a weekly basis so he definitely deserved the biggest win in his career in front of his hometown.

Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre vs The Shield

The Shield had their first PPV match since Survivor Series.

Result: The Shield defeated Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre via pinfall when Dean Ambrose pinned Dolph Ziggler with Dirty Deeds.

Grade: A

Analysis: This was an excellent car crash of a match that was only topped by AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander vs Buddy Murphy.

All six men impressively managed to follow the excellent Cruiserweight Title match and keep the crowd alive.

Dolph Ziggler was determined to prove that he wasn't the weak link. His determination to be accepted by his teammates was certainly compelling. Drew McIntyre put on one of his usual excellent performances.

Braun Strowman was great as his team's general. Seth Rollins was great as the face in peril and looked great when he was able to take out all three men one by one to make the hot tag. It is interesting that Roman Reigns accidentally hit Dean Ambrose with a Superman Punch (which I assume is how Dean Ambrose got tagged in).

Roman Reigns then made it up to him by saving him from Braun. It is also great that Dean Ambrose turned heel and stood with his brothers.

While there is definitely potential in a Dean Ambrose heel turn, if he had turned heel at the Super Showdown it would have seemed rushed and contrived since WWE spent two weeks teasing it. The Shield remains united (for now?).

#1 Contender for WWE Title: Daniel Bryan vs The Miz

AJ Styles' opponent at Crown Jewel was decided

Result: Daniel Bryan defeated The Miz via pinfall with a small package in under 3 minutes.

Grade: B-

Analysis: If this is the end of their rivalry, then this deserves an F. However, it is much more likely that Miz will either interfere in the match at Crown Jewel or somehow get himself added to this match making it a triple threat.

If that is the case, then this will get Daniel Bryan more sympathy (especially if The Miz steals the win from Daniel Bryan).

This can then still lead to a Daniel Bryan vs Miz match at WrestleMania since Daniel Bryan has a (lucky) victory over The Miz.

Therefore, this was a good way to continue this rivalry without causing Daniel Bryan to lose to The Miz three times in a row.

No Disqualification Match: Triple H (w./Shawn Michaels) vs Undertaker (w./Kane)

This was for the last time ever

Result: Triple H defeated the Undertaker via pinfall when Shawn Michaels and Triple H hit a Sweet Chin Music/Pedigree combination. The Brothers of Destruction then attacked them after the match.

Grade: B+

Analysis: This was much better than it could've been. The no disqualification stipulation gave the match the "smoke and mirrors" that it needed to succeed. They engaged the crowd and while the match was slow, it was certainly entertaining.

While this is not as good as their previous matches (it would be ridiculous to expect it to be) it was still good.

It's interesting that it took Kane so long to do anything in the matchup as Shawn Michaels immediately began to interfere.

It really seemed like either superstar could get the win and the false finishes were very convincing.

The result may have been obvious but so what, this was an excellent nostalgiac moment. It is interesting as neither team seems to be face or heel in this conflict.