The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) (c) vs. The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) – Smackdown Tag Team Championship match

Background: On the August 7 episode of SmackDown, The New Day’s Big E and Kofi Kingston defeated The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) to become the number one contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam, where The New Day defeated defending champions The Bludgeon Brothers’ (Harper and Rowan) by disqualification, but did not win the titles. The New Day captured the championships on the following episode of SmackDown Live and retained them at Hell in a Cell. On September 4, a match between The New Day and The Bar for the titles was scheduled for Super Show-Down. The Bar would ruin “New Day Cooks” on Smackdown, attacking the Tag Team Champions and have also beaten The New Day in singles matches.

Previous PPV matches: This is the third PPV match between these two teams and each match has featured a different combination of New Day members. The Bar hold 2 previous victories over New Day.

Match: Kofi and Cesaro kick off the match and The New Day get the early advantage. Kofi and Woods make quick tags but it’s not long before some double teaming form The Bar gives the challengers the advantage. Sheamus hits four clubbing blows to Kofi’s chest, ending it as the crowd were counting along. The Bar make quick tags and Sheamus hits Xavier Woods with a cheap shot to stop Kofi from tagging out. Kofi makes a hot tag to Xavier Woods who picks up the pace and takes down both members of The Bar. Sheamus hits an Irish curse backbreaker but Woods avoids a brogue kick. Cesaro hits a big uppercut and then swings Woods around before locking on a sharpshooter but Kofi breaks it up. Kingston hits trouble in paradise on Sheamus on the outside and then Woods and Kofi hit a backstabber/stomp combo for the 3!

Result: The New Day retain the Smackdown Tag Team Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent match to kick things off. It was a pretty standard tag team match but there was nothing wrong with it. I liked the finish from the New Day. The Smackdown tag team division is stacked with the likes of New Day, The Bar, The Club, The Usos, The Bludgeon Brothers, Rusev Day and more so there are plenty of contenders for the champions going forward. This probably puts The Bar out of the running for now.

Rating: 6/10

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte – Smackdown Women’s Championship match

Background: At SummerSlam, Charlotte Flair defeated Becky Lynch and defending champion Carmella in a triple threat match to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship. After the match, Lynch attacked Flair, thus turning heel for the first time in her WWE career. Throughout following weeks, the two attacked each other. At Hell in a Cell, Lynch defeated Flair to win the championship. A title rematch was scheduled at Super Show-Down. Becky has attacked Charlotte numerous times and has demanded that Charlotte call her “Queen”.

Previous PPV matches: This is a third PPV match between these two girls, they both hold a PPV victory over each other going into this match.

Match: The crowd are definitely behind the “heel” Becky Lynch in this one. It’s a stiff start to the match as the two girls lay in their strikes. Becky throws Charlotte into the ringpost shoulder-first for a two count. Lynch hits a nice head-scissors into a Fujiwara arm bar which Charlotte powers her way out of. Charlotte hits some knife edge chops and then counters out of a Bexploder suplex. The two girls slug it out until Charlotte hits a spear for a two count. Becky counters a moonsault by getting her knees up and then hits an enzeguri and heads to the top but Charlotte moves out of the way of the legdrop. Charlotte applies a Boston crab but Becky gets to the bottom rope. Lynch then slides out of the ring and grabs her title which ends up in the ring as Charlotte rolls Lynch in. Charlotte then hits a spear and locks on the figure eight but Becky grabs her title and smashes Charlotte with it! It’s a DQ win tonight for Charlotte!

Result: Charlotte wins by disqualification.

Review: This was another decent match. Charlotte and Becky are two of the best women on the roster but this one didn’t feel like it got into fifth gear. There will be another match between these two former friends as the DQ win leaves it wide open.

Rating: 6/10

John Cena & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Elias

Background: On August 10, a match between John Cena and Kevin Owens was scheduled for Super Show-Down. However on August 21, the match was changed to a tag team match with Cena and Bobby Lashley facing Owens and Elias.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time tag team match between these four men.

Match: John Cena is looking leaner and has much more hair than we’re used to seeing him with. Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley kick off the match but Owens quickly tags out to Elias. Lashley takes it to Elias and hits him with a big powerslam for a two count. Owens finally tags in but gets hit with a swinging neckbreaker. Laishley takes out both Elias and KO until the numbers become too much. Elias and Owens make quick tags, keeping Lashley away from Cena. Owens hits a frog splash on Lashley for a near fall. Finally Bobby makes the hot tag to Cena who fires up on Elias. Cena doesn’t do much but he hits an attitude adjustment and his new finisher, the 6th move of doom.

Result: Bobby Lashley and John Cena win by pinfall.

Review: This match was ok. Bobby Lashley did most of the heavy lifting for his team whilst Elias and Owens had a good showing. Cena didn’t even break a sweat, just getting involved at the end, I guess he needs to be protected for a film or something.

Rating: 4.75/10

Asuka & Naomi vs. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce

Background: On the August 21 episode of SmackDown, Peyton Royce defeated Naomi. The following week, Billie Kay defeated Naomi. On the September 4 episode of SmackDown, Naomi defeated Royce. After the match, The IIconics attacked Naomi until the returning Asuka made the save. On September 4, a tag team match between The IIconics and Asuka & Naomi was scheduled for Super Show-Down.

Previous PPV matches: This is actually a PPV debut for Billie and Peyton so no previous matches between these teams.

Match: Billie and Peyton cut a promo before the match saying how good it is to be home. Naomi and Billie Kay kick off the match and Naomi makes light work of Kay. Peyton makes a blond tag but Naomi and Asuka dispose of the Iiconics briefly. Some double teaming from Billie and Peyton behind the referee’s back gives the Iiconics the advantage. Asuka hits a German suplex on Billie and then tags in Naomi who picks up the pace. Naomi hits a split-legged moonsault for a two count and all hell breaks loose. Billie Kay smashes Naomi off the apron and then throws Asuka into the barricade. Billie then holds Naomi for Peyton who hits a big knee shot for the three!

Result: The Iiconics win by pinfall.

Review: I didn’t actually expect that result. Billie and Peyton win a big tag team match in their hometown. It was a below average match but it wasn’t a stinker. I like the Iiconics as a tag team but I’m not sure how long Asuka and Naomi will continue being a team for.

Rating: 4/10

AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe – No disqualification match for the WWE Championship

Background: At SummerSlam, during the WWE Championship match between Samoa Joe and AJ Styles, Joe taunted Styles by disrespecting his wife and daughter, who were in attendance. An irate Styles attacked Joe with a steel chair, resulting in Joe winning by disqualification, however, Styles retained the title. At Hell In A Cell, Styles countered Joe’s “Coquina Clutch” into a pin to retain the championship, despite Styles tapping out to the “Coquina Clutch” which the referee did not see. After the match, Joe attacked Styles. An irate Joe demanded a rematch with Styles. Paige agreed and scheduled a third match between the two for the title at Super Show-Down, with “no disqualifications, no count-outs, and no excuses”. Samoa Joe has visited AJ Styles house whilst AJ was in the ring on Smackdown.

Previous PPV matches: This is the third PPV match between these two men, they have both won one match each so far.

Match: Samoa Joe waits for AJ Styles in the aisle and the two men get into it outside the ring. They go into the ring and the bell rings. It’s a back and forth start to the match but Samoa Joe soon takes the advantage, suplexing AJ on the outside. Joe applies a nerve hold the likes that hasn’t been seen since The Great Khali. Samoa Joe’s offence is slow and steady as he wears down Styles. Joe grabs a chair but AJ dropkicks it into his face. AJ then lays into his challenger with the chair. AJ looks to springboard off a chair but Samoa Joe catches him with a urunage into the edge of the chair. Joe pulls out a table and sets it up in the ring before looking to superplex the WWE Champion through it but AJ slips down, puts Joe on his shoulders and electric chair drops Joe through the table! Joe sells a knee injury. AJ then looks for a calf crusher but Joe counters into a coquina clutch! AJ manages to get out of the ring and hits a springboard 450 on Samoa Joe’s knee.

The fight goes to the outside where AJ hits a phenomenal forearm off the barricade. The fight goes back into the ring where Joe locks the coquina clutch on again and AJ looks to bridge the pin like he did at Hell In The Cell but Joe kicks out. Styles then locks on the calf crusher and Samoa Joe taps out!

Result: AJ Styles wins by submission.

Review: This was a good match. These two guys have a lot of chemistry and I’m inclined to think that this may be the end of this feud unless they want to go to one more gimmick match. I wouldn’t be against seeing another match between the two. This was a good match and I’ll be surprised if anything tops it tonight.

Rating: 7.5/10

Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) vs. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan)

Background: Following the return of Trish Stratus on the August 27 episode of Raw, Stratus, along with Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey would accompany Natalya in her match against Alicia Fox, which she won. After the contest, the duo were congratulated by The Bella Twins (Nikki Bella and Brie Bella), who announced that they would be returning to action against The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan) on the September 3 edition of Raw. A six-woman tag team match between Rousey & The Bella Twins against The Riott Squad was scheduled for Super Show-Down.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time 6 woman tag match involving these 6 girls.

Match: Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella have a disagreement at the start of the match over who starts for their team. Nikki starts the match against Ruby Riott and it’s back and forth between the two. Nikki hits a spinebuster for a 2 count. Riott takes the advantage against Brie and tags in Liv Morgan who hits a shining wizard for a two count. Brie grabs Livs tongue in a comedy spot. Brie hits Brie mode for a one count. The Bellas make tags between themselves and hit some double team moves. The Riott Squad make quick tags, stopping Nikki Bella from tagging out. Nikki manages to fight off Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott but Ruby and Liv knock Brie and Ronda off the apron. Ronda gets back up and Nikki tags her in. Rousey throws all three members of the Riott Squad around! Rousey hits the spinning slam on Logan and all 6 girls get into it. Liv Morgan stops Ronda from locking the armbar on Logan. Rousey then locks on the armbar on both Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan and they both tap out!

Result: Ronda Rousey and The Bella Twins win by submission.

Review: I actually really enjoyed this match. It wasn’t bad at all. The fans seem to want to boo The Bella Twins so I wonder if they will heel turn if they’re sticking about which I’m sure they will be as it’s the all women’s PPV in a few weeks.

Rating: 6/10

Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy – Cruiserweight Championship match

Background: Buddy Murphy finally gets the Cruiserweight Championship match that he earned a couple of months ago and he gets it in his hometown of Melbourne.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match for these two men, Murphy is making his PPV debut tonight.

Match: Murphy comes out of the blocks quickly and hits a knee to the face for a near fall. Murphy launches himself out of the ring, nailing Alexander and he’s definitely the hometown favourite. Murphy keeps the advantage for a while, until he runs into the boot of the Cruiserweight Champion. Alexander hits a big Michinoku Driver off the top for a near fall. Alexander launches himself over the top, taking out Murphy. Murphy hits a superkick and a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Buddy hits a knee and then looks for his finisher but Alexander counters and then hits a standing Spanish fly for a near fall. Alexander hits the lumbar check but Murphy kicks out at 2! An awesome sequence there. Cedric springboard into the ring but Murphy hits a knee to the face and then a pumphandle driverfor the three!

Result: Buddy Murphy wins the Cruiserweight Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a really good match. There were some awesome spots and sequences and the crowd were into it too. Buddy Murphy wins the Cruiserweight Championship in his hometown and it’s a special moment for him.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Shield (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose) vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre

Background: On August 21, The Shield were scheduled for a six-man tag team match. The Shield would reunite to prevent Braun Strowman from cashing in his Money in the Bank contract for the WWE Universal Championship on Reigns on the August 20 episode of Raw after Reigns had retained the title against Finn Bálor. This led to a match on the August 27 episode of Raw, in which Reigns and Strowman teamed up to face against Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. During the match, Strowman turned on Reigns and helped Ziggler and McIntyre attack him, turning heel for the second time in his career. Following the assault on Reigns, the trio would also attack Ambrose and Rollins when they tried to aid Reigns. A six-man tag team match between The Shield and Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre was scheduled for Super Show-Down.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time 6 man tag team match between these men.

Match: All six men get into it before the bell. Dean Ambrose takes apart the announce desk and The Shield look for a triple powerbomb on Braun Strowman but Ziggler and McIntyre break it up. The match officially begins with Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins. Ziggler, McIntyre and Strowman make quick tags to keep Rollins away form his partners. Rollins hits a buckle bomb on Ziggler but Braun tags himself in and mows down Rollins. Strowman then heads to the top and looks for a splash but Seth rolls out of the way. Rollins makes the hot tag to Ambrose who picks up the pace and hits a facebuster on Dolph for a two count. Ambrose hits a vertical elbow drop but Dolph rolls through and gets a two count. Both men hit cross bodies and both men go down. Ambrose makes a hot tag to Roman Reigns who lays into McIntyre. Reigns looks for a superman punch on Drew but McIntyre moves and Reigns nails Ambrose! Roman manages to hit a superman punch on McIntyre but he kicks out of the pinfall that follows.

Reigns and Rollins are surrounded and it’s questionable over whose side Dean Ambrose is on but Ambrose goes right after Braun Strowman. The Shield then look for a triple powerbomb on Drew McIntyre but Braun Strowman takes out everyone. Dolph hits a zigzag on Ambrose for a near fall. Braun then looks for a running shoulder charge on Ambrose but Reigns intercepts with a spear, taking him through the barricade! Ambrose hits dirty deeds on Ziggler and pins him for the three!

Result: The Shield win by pinfall.

Review: This was a good match that got more fun the longer it went. There’s some big hints that Ambrose might turn his back on The Shield but time will tell whether that happens. Strowman looked like a monster and the spear through the barricade on him was cool. The Shield win tonight though!

Rating: 6.75/10

Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz – Number one contenders match to the WWE Championship

Background: At SummerSlam, The Miz defeated Daniel Bryan after hitting him with a pair of brass knuckles that his wife Maryse had given him. On the following SmackDown, Miz and Maryse mocked Bryan’s retirement speech from two years earlier. Bryan and his wife Brie Bella came out and confronted them. Bryan called Miz a coward for having to cheat to win and revealed that SmackDown General Manager Paige approved of a mixed tag team match between Bryan and Brie and Miz and Maryse at Hell in a Cell, which Miz and Maryse won. On August 21, a rematch between Bryan and The Miz was also scheduled for Super Show-Down, where the winner would receive a WWE Championship opportunity.

Previous PPV matches: These two men are 1-1 in PPV matches against each other.

Match: The Miz looks to cut a promo before the match but Daniel Bryan cuts it off before Miz can even get started. The bell rings and Miz goes right to work on Daniel Bryan. Miz hits Bryan with one of his own moves in the early going, the running knee, for a near fall. Daniel Bryan then rolls Miz up out of nowhere and gets the 3! Daniel Bryan wins very quickly!

Result: Daniel Bryan wins by pinfall.

Review: Well that was short and sweet. There wasn’t much to the match at all. The highlight was the running knee from Miz. I’d have liked to have seen a longer match but for whatever reason it was a quick one.

Rating: N/A

The Undertaker vs. Triple H – no disqualification match

Background: On June 16, 2018, a match between The Undertaker and Triple H was scheduled. On the August 20, 2018 episode of Raw, Triple H spoke about how he reluctantly accepted the rematch as the last match between the two at WrestleMania XXVIII (a Hell in a Cell match with Shawn Michaels as guest referee) was billed as the “End of an Era”. Triple H added that the tagline of this contest would be “Last Time Ever”.

Previous PPV matches: These two men have had 5 PPV matches before and Undertaker won 4 of them.

Match: Undertaker has Kane in his corner, Triple H has Shawn Michaels in his. Triple H taunts The Undertaker in the early going. Undertaker soon gets into the match though and hits old school. Shawn Michaels soon gets involved and shoves Undertaker into the ring post. Triple H hits a knee to the face and then goes up to the middle rope but Undertaker catches him and throws The Game out of the ring. Undertaker grabs a chair but a distraction from Shawn Michaels allows Triple H to get the chair but Undertaker boots it out of his hands. Undertaker lays Triple H on a table and then boots Shawn Michaels off the apron. This allows Triple H to get to his feet and hit Undertaker with a chair. Triple H then elbow drops Kane through the table. Triple H grabs a chair and comes off the top but Undertaker counters and hits a chokeslam. Undertaker then hits a tombstone and pins Triple H who kicks out at 2! Undertaker lays out the referee!

Undertaker continues to lay into Triple H with a chair but Shawn Michaels gets involved which distracted Undertaker and allows Triple H to hit a spinebuster. Triple H then hits a pedigree and a new referee comes out to count Triple H a near fall. Kane drags the referee out of the ring taking him out too. Triple H then hits Undertaker with a sledgehammer. Shawn Michaels and Kane get involved against and Michaels hits a big low blow on Kane. Triple H and Shawn Michaels double team Undertaker. Triple H uses a sledgehammer, Shawn Michaels hits sweet chin music and Triple H hits a pedigree for the three!

Result: Triple H wins by pinfall.

Rating: 5.75/10