[7.0] "probably better than any match black had outside of wwe on his vacation. it had flow, told a story and knew it was the main event of the show while playing into that. crowd was willing to love this because it was a smackdown main event with people that have nothing to do with the bigger, cooler show. ending was dumb. this is wwe though."
[4.0] "There were some nice spots here and there, but all in all this just felt like a heatless, gritless excuse for a "grudge" match. Whatever conflict was supposed to be between these guys to require a match like this, certainly none of it came through on an emotional level, rather it just felt like walking by rote to the next spot. Case in point, the inexplicable stopped count that others have mentioned. On paper I do like the idea of the fireball spot but I was pretty iffy on the way it was presented, didn't feel like it landed right. Not the worst but I was not hyped over this one."
[8.0] "I still love Black's entrance. I have to say his tattoos are cool too. Weapon-wise, we had the commentators' table and the kendo stairs. The crowd was counting down. This kind of match allows for a bit of variety. The ending is a joy because the two are better together. I don't like Vega as a wrestler, but she's always been a good wrestler for Black."
[8.0] "Really great match, It had good pacing, good offence and the ending with Zelina Vega intervening and Aleister using a Fireball to win the match was great, This is probably the best main event that SmackDown had like in a whole year."
[6.0] "After his defeat against Sami Zayn, another loss would set Aleister Black back considerably, which is prevented to a reasonable extent. Priest attempts to send him through the commentary table three times, but Black narrowly escapes defeat each of those times. Otherwise, the action is mostly decent. Nevertheless, I remain not a fan of the LMS stipulation, and the finish also seems really contrived. Six points rather than seven."
[7.0] "This was a banger, I wasn't really invested into the match before it started I was only curious on how they were going to book Aleister. I thought the inclusion of Zelina so he could put the fire in his face was perfect"
[8.0] "This Last Man Standing bout between Aleister Black and Damian Priest delivered more than your average TV match. The brutality was real: Priest landed multiple Razor's Edge slams, they traded chairs, and the fight spilled into the stands. Black seemed on the brink of defeat more than once. In the end, Zelina Vega's interference gave Black the opening to throw fire in Priest's face and follow up with a Black Mass kick, leaving Priest unable to answer the ten count. The match felt desperate and violent, not just a slugfest for the sake of it. The storytelling, Black surviving, Priest dominating, Vega's timing, worked. The finish added intrigue. The ending leans on interference/distraction and the fireball element is gimmicky (though dramatic). A cleaner resolution would've made the impact stronger."
"The ending scene with those planted "fans" with their stupid overacted reactions on their faces killed the spot for me unfortunately. It seems like they never learn from their mistakes. But I will say this Aleister Black certainly got a lot more interesting now."
[8.0] "Glad that this match was a main event. For a Last Man Standing it was pretty normal match, even not great I can say, but the ending, where Zelina comes to save Black and he throws a freakin fireball to Priest, was very awesome moment."
[5.0] "[**3/4] A decent TV main event, somewhat pedestrian for the gimmick and with the usual drawbacks you see for this match type in WWE such as having to listen to long 9 counts for things as basic as a person being thrown into a barricade. They did work hard though and was unfortunately undermined by another ridiculous finish where the referee simply stopped counting a down opponent to accommodate some interference. Bad and bizarre."
[10.0] "One of the best last man standing matches in recent memory, I didn't like the first, soft minutes but everything after the apron chocksleam was awesome and pretty stiff for WWE standards. ****3/4"
[9.0] "What a match! Both Priest and Black did commendable work in giving the fans a nice Last Man Standing match. Letting Black win with a fireball before the classic Black Mass was a very nice thing, and the alliance with Zelina Vega can bring benefits in the future to both Aleister and Zelina."
[4.0] "A decent last man standing match where they hit each other with stuff for 15 minutes, but the finish was fking terrible. Aleister Black was down for like 25 seconds but the referee stopped counting at 7 for no reason at all, Priest should have won the match, that's stupid"
[7.0] "This was two hard hitting people beating the daylights out of each other and that worked well for a main event. I like Black and Vega being paired together as Vega going after the United States Title was beyond played out. This could be the trick that Black needs (it certainly worked for Andrade back in the day) so hopefully everyone can move on."
[6.0] "This was just a bit too boring and slow to warrant me scoring higher than a 6... perhaps 6 is even too generous. I have not enjoyed this feud from the offset and hopefully this match signals the end of it."
[8.0] "This was built around some excellent striking and creative use of plunder. Priest's dominance tipped you the nod that he was losing and of course they had to go the cringy soap opera route to get there, but at least the finish itself was convincing ***3/4"
[6.0] "Another overrated WWE last man standing match of the modern era. This had its moments but last man standing matches just don't have that same thrill anymore. I don't know what it is about the modern era but these gimmick grudge matches very rarely sell me on the animosity. For starters these two started out really hot and had a great flurry of strikes but this felt like a match that should've started before the bell rang. They then have a solid walk and brawl with a kendo stick and then we get the first of many brutal table spots. I did love these brutal no breaking announce tables but then I'm reminded why a last man standing match on WWE television is fundamentally broken, we don't get see the 10 count after a big spot like that because of the ad breaks. Not really a fault of the performers but match is severely kneecapped by having the main dramatic aspect of the stipulation removed. The two continued to have good chemistry and more sick table spots until we walk to the finishing spot which I have very mixed feelings about. We get a run in from Zelina Vega and time stands still, it's like no one knew what else they were supposed to do while Aleister Black gets his flash paper ready. It was more like the idea of storytelling rather than them actually doing it. Then the highlight of the match Black throws the fireball into Damian Priest's face which might be the first time I've seen that spot actually look good and Black hits the Black Mass for the 10 count. It had its moments but with the ad breaks, the ok back and forth and the awkward story telling, I just don't see the hype in this but I'm happy with the outcome I guess and it was cool to see a good flash paper spot for once"
[10.0] "This is a great match between Damian and Aleister. They prove that they can give banger if giving enough minutes and it should be a PLE match. It can be more violent but it's still a great WWE stipulation match."
[8.0] "This was the most intense match of the show. Both men delivered a brutal contest, with a staging that perfectly combined the dark storytelling. Aleister looked like an unstoppable force, returning to his trademark ruthless style, while Priest fulfilled his role as a tough, arrogant rival. Zelina Vega's intervention was the touch that added drama and surprise, while also opening up new stories. If there's one criticism, it's that the pace slowed down a bit in some sections due to overexposed spots outside the ring, and the ending, while spectacular, bordered on the exaggerated. Even so, it was a great match: violent, intense, and consistent with the story the two had been building. 8/10."
[5.0] "The match itself was good... if the build was there. We're supposed to buy into these two hating each other so much that they put each other through this pain but I have seen nothing to warrant this kind of animosity. Why do they not like each other? Why would I care about either one of them in the first place?"
[8.0] "Very good match. Enjoyed this a lot more than expected considering that the previous two matches between Black and Priest weren't anything special. They made good use of the stipulation and beat each other up. Black hit Priest with double knees on the steps, cool spot. Priest hit a Razor's Edge on the announce desk for a close call where Black just barely managed to get on his feet in time. Priest dragged Black over to a production area to continue the fight, but Zelina Vega got involved by distracting Priest. Black then uses a fireball in Priest's eyes, hits a Black Mass and Priest goes flying off through some tables. Loved the finish, really creative and it was perfectly executed. Zelina helping out her husband makes so much sense, too. 8/10"
[6.0] "I don't know, the whole match felt like a parody to me. I heard good things about it, but actually watching it surprised me. It was slow, didn"t look violent or intense at all. Priest is a good stipulation wrestler, some spots worked fine thanks to him, especially the Razor's edge on the table. I really dislike the ending aswell, I like the fact that Zelina is here but the whole fire thing with Priest preparing his finisher in slow motion, it was foolish."
[8.0] "This was a strong, brutal encounter that delivered for fans of hardcore-style matches. From the start, Priest attacked Black with aggressive strikes and immediately took the fight outside, using steel steps and the barricade to keep control. Both men traded vicious bumps over and around the ringside area, including Black hitting Priest with a double knee Meteora onto the steps and Priest returning fire with a Chokeslam and Razor's Edge onto the commentary table. There were multiple near-count-outs, with each wrestler showing toughness and resilience, surviving counts of seven on several occasions. The match escalated with creative spots, including a Broken Arrow slam onto a staging box and intense weapon usage. The finish came when Black used a fireball provided by Zelina Vega to blind Priest, allowing him to hit a Black Mass that sent Priest through a table on the floor. Black stood as the winner while hugging Vega, adding a heelish twist to the outcome. This was an excellent Last Man Standing Match that told a compelling story of brutality, resilience, and clever cheating. Black's victory with outside assistance fits his character and furthers the storyline, while both men delivered impressive physical performances. Fans were invested throughout, and although the anticipated table-break didn't happen, the match was intense and memorable. A standout showing in this feud. ***3/4"
[5.0] "I can't stand when WWE does their neutered version of "hardcore" wrestling. All of the weapon use is too prop-like and without authentic impact. Outside of the double knee-stomp onto the steps I thought any of the weapon use fell into the lamer side. Black is good but this isn't the type of match he needs to be having. WWE Kendo sticks might be the dumbest weapon in wrestling. The Razors Edges would have been more effective in the ring as opposed to the 3 ft drop to the table. The most ridiculous part of the match were the row of fake planted fans when they were out on the table. All with their fake dumb over-exagerated reactions. It was comical and distracting. In all, this was a last man standing match with high-school theatre level violence. Hard-pass."
[8.0] "That Priest entrance had him looking like a million bucks and he left it just as much. Great work from both of them, honestly especially to Priest as he was truly locked in this match. Love that guy, definitely shows that these two could have shown out well on a PLE but I am happy with this nonetheless"
[8.0] "A good last man standing match, and one of the best SmackDown main events in recent memory. I'd give it a 7, but I'm giving an extra point for Zelina's interference. I really think her and Aleister's team-up could work really well. Black is fantastic in the ring, she's quite good and underrated on the mic, and I'll assume they have good chemistry. Finally, a good SmackDown!"
[9.0] "Seit dem Tommy wieder in der WWE ist, ist das hier sein beste Match seit seinem Comeback. Sogar Aleister Ehefrau baut man am Ende mit ein.. Ich gebe hier (****) das ist auch klar mein Match of the Night."
[7.0] "I'm not a fan of the stipulation, I find it a bit boring but it's a very good match and the ending with Zelina who allies herself with Aleister Black (her husband) is a little gem"
[8.0] "This was really really good. Ok, some of the standard WWE street fight complaints were present and the incessant ad breaks to kill the flow. BUT this match was really really solid. Good pacing, good offence and well structured. The finish was also great and it came off PERFECTLY. Who doesn't love a fireball to the face? ! Putting Zelina and Black together could be gold and I'm looking forward to what happens next. Probably the best finish on this show in months."
[10.0] "Absolutely amazing match with lot of beautiful moves and lots of fun they really did a great job right there 4.5 star match for main event of SmackDown and really cool and creative finish with return of zelina vega i always waiting for team of zelina aleister and finally it's happening"
[9.0] "This was a fantastic Last Man Standing Match, Aleister Black who has been targeting Damian Priest finally can do his worst to him in which he did. I liked how they got the Main Event Slot, but I felt like this match should've taken place at WWE Crown Jewel. It was a very chaotic Last Man Standing Match. I liked how Aleister Black has been looking as of late. He has been wrestling some of his best matches as of late, and in AEW, I didn't see this much of Aleister Black, more so of him not even trying at his fullest. The Razor Edge onto the table was s sick spot. Them are going into the crowd, and Damian Priest also, Zelina Vega is aligned with her real-life husband Aleister Black, and Aleister Black hit a fireball to Damian Priest's eye then a Black Mass, which prompted Damian Prioest to fall onto a bunch of tables, which gave Aleister Black the win and is 2-0 over Damian Priest and fuilly established himself back in WWE. Great Match, and a great show from Australia."
[9.0] "Black's entrance was excellent, as was the match. It was violent with big spots and very well executed counters.Despite the stipulation that often makes the in-ring action less important, Priest and Black still delivered their usual in-ring performance. The ending was great (despite the referee stopping the count while Black was still on the ground). Zelina's return was unexpected. The blindness combo with fire/Black Mass was perfect and crazy. It makes sense to let him win, so we give him a big victory over an established wrestler. It's a huge shame we didn't have a good feud. We'll see what the Vega/Black duo comes up with.""
[9.0] "I honestly had really low expectations for this match, but it ended up exceeding them by a wide margin. I thought this was great, and I honestly didn't feel the length at all. Crowd was into it too. This certainly felt like a PPV worthy match if WWE could ever increase the pace of the PLE's to include more action. Both guys did a good showing their dislike for each other in their body language, and Aleister's unique offense made the walk and brawl surprisingly fun to watch. There were some surprisingly gnarly spots later on in the match, and some count out "near falls" that popped me. I thought the finish to the match was very well done, as Selina used her babyface status to feugn symbathy and distract Priest a bit, only for Aleister to use a FIREBALL on him. I will always pop huge for a fireball, and they sold the damage it did perfectly. I'm very intrigued to see what they do with the Aleister & Zelina partnership going forward, this will hopefully give him some much needed direction."
