As per the earlier announcement, Smackdown hosted the dream match between Finn Balor vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. It was a shame that WWE could not offer proper buildups for the first-time ever bout where these two technicians squared off against each other. But they have delivered a solid outing, nonetheless. Furthermore, the outcome ensures that it was not the only time we have seen this match on Smackdown.
Final WWE Extreme Rules 2019 Match Card After Smackdown Live
WWE Smackdown Live Full Results: 9th July, 2019
Aleister Black Receives Solo Debut Match At Extreme Rules
Kevin Owens Helps Roman Reigns On Smackdown Main Event
Finn Balor rolled in the early part of the matchup before going for a Slingblade. Shinsuke Nakamura countered that with a German Suplex as they fight continued outside the ring. The King of Strong Styles hit Balor with the barricade before landing the Kinshasa on him. The IC champion managed to enter the ring at referee’s 9-count only to eat another Kinshasa from Nakamura. This earned him a huge win over the mid-card champion which must give him an IC title shot in the near future.
It was good to see Finn Balor coming back on TV on this week’s episode of Smackdown. The last time we saw him was at Super ShowDown PPV event in a match against Andrade. He unleashed the demon inside him on the Mexican star while retaining the Intercontinental Championship. Thereafter, a hiatus started on WWE TV for him downing the prestige of this old championship.
Did @ShinsukeN just PIN the #ICChampion @FinnBalor?
Yes. Yes, he did. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/l3AP5FSfre
— WWE (@WWE) July 10, 2019
Thankfully, WWE hinted a feud for Finn Balor two weeks ago and decided to culminate it on Smackdown Live of this week. Shinsuke Nakamura was the concerned name who confronted the champ expressing his wish to pick up the IC title, someday. So WWE did not back down to confirm the dream match on Smackdown,
“Shinsuke Nakamura eyed-up Intercontinental Champion Finn Bálor and, seemingly, his title two weeks ago on SmackDown LIVE. Nakamura will now get up-close-and-personal with Bálor when the two face-off tonight. Can The King of Strong Style topple The Extraordinary Man and cause a major ripple effect on the Intercontinental Championship picture?”
In the end, it was Shinsuke Nakamura who stood tall by winning the match that should soon hand him a title opportunity.
