Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar

[8.0] "Excellent match, I was lucky to see this live because I don't watch Smackdown very often, but this was awesome. Treated like a big match and perfectly progressed. A lot of storytelling. Very enjoyable weekly show match. Completely above average for WWE - {***3/4}"

[8.0] "This was the complete version of their previous encounter and it definitely did not disappoint. Very back and forth with some fast paced action and some good storytelling with tension being built between the two that would eventually lead to Santos leaving the LWO."

[8.0] "I really enjoyed this match , they performed well and had some good athletic maneuvers in this match , I enjoyed Zelinas expressions on the ringside , she sold the match well and made it look like she was worried. Rey Mysterio can still move in the ring , like he used to in his prime. Santos also had a good spot when he reversed the frog splash. I liked how they protected Santos, by making him lose by roll up instead of a decisive pinfall loss. Very good match, and they should eventually run it back now that Santos is heel."

[7.0] "This was very similar to what Dom vs Dragon Lee was, but with less action and more storytelling. As the match was going by, I was worried for the many pauses and the fact they didn't went at a higher pace with this one, but they built a match centered on the emotion and the conflict of both friends, "carnales", brothers in arms, mentor and protégé fighting for the Title, having a honorable competition to determine the best out of them, while delivering good In-Ring action. The thing is, I think they could've delivered a lot more than what we got, so I was a bit disappointed by that. At least the Street Profits attack was after the match and they let this match flow and end like it should. (*** 3/4)"

[8.0] "This was actually a very solid and entertaining match, with a proper finish even if both wrestlers are in a feud with Bobby and the Street Profits. Both talents traded moves and showed what they are capable of. I'm especially impressed by what Rey can still pull of so late in his career."

[8.0] "This was better than their last match because Rey doesn't get knocked out here, and they actually get to finish it plus it was great! This wasn't just high flying, as they worked lucha technical wrestling, and submission holds into this match, especially early on. The high-flying/big impact moves when done were really good, and I really enjoyed when down the stretch they went for rapid-fire counters and nearfalls. Also, the way Rey was selling his back down the stretch was beautiful here. The finish worked here for me since both guys were countering everything down the stretch, and Rey just caught Santos off guard with a roll-up. ****"

[8.0] "Really glad to see these two get a proper match after the way things went earlier this year. They put on an entertaining match here and, as much as I love Escobar, I believe Mysterio retaining was the right move here. I think Escobar and the rest of Legado del Fantasma should turn heel as Escobar wins the United States Title from Mysterio. If I were booking it, I would have Mysterio pick Dragon Lee to be the third man for their 6-Man Tag at Fastlane without telling Escobar in order to create some tension. We'll have to see if that's how it plays out, but I'd like an Escobar heel turn and title reign either way."

[8.0] "A really good championship match that built nice and slowly to a good end. Santos looked like a star and Rey Mysterio is a freak of nature to be able to still work at this level in his length of career, Santos's dive was fantastic. and i enjoyed the reversals towards the end."

[7.0] "Good TV match for the U.S. Title. It's tough to pull off a babyface vs babyface title match, but with Santos having a lot of respect for Rey and Rey understanding it's nothing personal, it worked. This got plenty of time and was enjoyable to watch. It could have moved along at a quicker pace. Rey winning with a roll-up made sense even if it was a bit of a letdown. Santos had a good opportunity to win and holding back clearly cost him, which will play into the long term story. 7/10"

[9.0] "This was Rey Mysterio best match of this year he still showing people he still got it. I thought Santos Escobar was gonna win but he was protected with Rey Mysterio winning by a roll up, but man this was a great match back to back weeks of great title defense on SmackDown hopefully this continue because that was fun."

[8.0] "What a great fight between both members of the LWO to show that finally, the king is still Rey, which makes me happy because the moment of Santos Escobar is developing quite well and for sure he will be one of the great talents of Mexico in WWE. Very good wrestling, I liked it a lot and it's very important for them."

[8.0] "The match was not bad, but the speed of the match was very slow and lacked exciting moves, unlike the style of the two wrestlers. Most are looking for a way to protect Rey Mysterio. Santos still has weaknesses when serving and has not been able to solve them The end of the match was very bad because this match needed a spectacular win but with a roll it was all over and the two week hype of this match was destroyed."

[7.0] "Not a bad match at all, but I expected more from a 20 minute match between these two, especially with a quite underwhelming roll-up finish. It seems that these two have still much more to give and that they will be another match further down the line with maybe a turn from Escobar. 7/10."

[7.0] "A match that clearly didn't live up to expectations. No, it was really good in pieces. I enjoyed seeing the story within the match, but technically the guys couldn't find each other at all. And it would seem that there would definitely be chemistry here, but it seems there is none between the performers. And after all, they allocated plenty of time, but this did not help. It was good in some places, but, unfortunately, only in some places."

[8.0] "A very good match, although there were a few inconsistencies, if it were not for those inconsistencies, the match would definitely be better, Rey Mysterio is really a true legend, at this age he can still give an interesting match, I thought we might see Santos Escobar's heel turn, but it didn't happen anyway, But I think that with the heel turn of Santos Escobar, these two will compete again in the future as heel vs. face, and that match will definitely be better in terms of booking, The storytelling of this match was great. 8/10"

[7.0] "A good match between these two as one would expect with two talents as good as these two and given the time that they had. Two commercial breaks so no lack of time given to it. I felt there was a lack of belief in Santos being able to pull off the win with Reys title reign still only just getting started. Some very good striking exchanges and dives. Certainly much better than their recent first match but I feel like they left some in the tank for another one. Perhaps if the time comes for Santos to be more of a heel they can have the match I feel they are really capable of."