6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (19 June - Results & Review)
3. Babyface Charlotte’s Efforts
Jade Cargill, Michin and B-FAB attacked Charlotte Flair’s knee before her Queen Of The Ring semi vs. Liv Morgan. That set out her stall for the match: Charlotte fought from underneath and through the pain to try and get to the final, but the combo of that knee injury and Liv being too skilled wrecked her chances. The match was slower paced, obviously, but that’s not always a bad thing.
Odd choice to main event the episode, perhaps, but there was something about it yours truly really liked. Charlotte’s selling and facial expressions sold her desperation, and Morgan was in top form as a cocky little bitch who knew it was only a matter of time before Flair physically folded. Her heart was admirable, but Liv wanted to shatter it into pieces en route to a final showing opposite IYO SKY in Saudi Arabia.
Sure, Liv winning QOTR and challenging Rhea feels far too obvious, and becoming a double champ would ring hollow when she hasn’t done anything with the belt she already has, but this was a fine story for now. Besides, the torque on that single leg Boston Crab looked vicious at the end, and credit must go to Alexa Bliss for putting on some puppy dog eyes as her pal was tortured by a maniacal Women's World Champ.
Everyone played their role to the hilt on this occasion. The slower speed let Flair sell, sell, sell like she was Ricky f'n Steamboat working against her dad, and Liv was glorious as a masochistic villainess.