He’s here.For the second straight week in a row, Smackdown- the show always considered second to Raw- was better than Raw. It had all three former members of the Shield booked in prominent roles. It had Bray Wyatt booked in a prominent role. There were some things that did not work as well.But for a two hour show, Smackdown was pretty solid. Also, Jimmy Uso was on commentary which provided another instance where a superstar is found to be quite entertaining at ringside in that particular role.The tag team scene looks promising as well. Here are the five points to note from this weeks Smackdown-
#1 The Roman Reigns Project
No other wrestler has shown as much of a monumental improvement as Roman Reigns this past year. After the spotlight fell firm on him after his infamous Royal Rumble victory, he’s refused to succumb under the pressure of boos and distraction and delivered memorable performances in the ring. There is no doubt beyond doubts that he’s got some tremendous on- screen presence.
He’s also someone with who Bray Wyatt is having a better feud compared to the ones he’s had this year.
This feud is showing Reigns at his most intense and scariest and it’s all working really, really well.
#2 The Wyatt Project
There is no other character as great in all its fictional elements as Bray Wyatt right now in the WWE. But that character more oft than not has found himself at a mediocre level when memorable feuds are concerned. When Ambrose- Wyatt had so much potential, WWE decided to deprive it of a proper storyline and just let these two guys have matches after matches with various stipulations.
This week on Smackdown these two faced again and they worked immensely well together to earn quite an ovation from the crowd.
Wyatt came out the winner and for the first time in a long time, a win over Ambrose mattered because quite frankly, Wyatt needed a strong win against a strong opponent.
#3 The Tag Team Champions
The Prime Time Players are arguably and expectedly turning out to be one of the most entertaining tag teams this year and maybe of all time, if given the opportunity.
The tag team scene has more or less been about matches and more matches. Matches to find a winner, matches to let the winner become the number one contender and then matches where the titles are on the line.
This division hasn’t seen a proper storyline since the Rhodes Brothers won the tag title from The Shield.
But Titus O’ Neil and Darren Young can change all of that. They have the presence and capability to pull something great off.
#4 Worse than Worse
There hasn’t been a monumental detour than the Rusev and Lana storyline. These two were great as an alliance. Now, when separated, they are plain awful. Lana, has been reduced to the usual ridiculity that divas have to put up with. And what do we think of Summer Rae after she is paired with Rusev who has been projected as someone dominating and cruel and abusive and creepy in the past many weeks?
Ziggler and Lana have no chemistry either. They don’t even have much of a purpose or reason as to why they are together.
If this angle abruptly ends, then we should all thank our stars.
#5 Business partners
Seth Rollins gifted his comrades cars, watches and vacations and whatnot.
But when it came to facing Reigns and Ambrose and a Kendo stick, Rollins ran for his life. It is expected and it wasn’t truly shocking but all this has to lead somewhere, right?
The unity is all a farce. They’re ‘business partners’. In the end, it’s every man for himself. Rollins and The Authority, it’s becoming clearer every week, won’t last that long. And with Wyatt and Sheamus in close proximity with the heel stable, it looks like it’s time for Rollins to turn face.
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