'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The go-home show before Survivor Series certainly had some good. It was put together in such a manner that the only highlighted portions showcased the matches in the pay-per-view, instead of being crammed with filler material as SmackDown often is.
But somehow, there were a lot of parts that were quite underwhelming as well. I just think that we've seen so many invasions and so many brawls over the past few weeks from WWE SmackDown, NXT, and RAW that the basic concept has lost all its appeal.
That said, I want to invite you guys to weigh in as well as I separate the best from the worst this week. Also, because your opinions matter, I want to invite you guys to rate all the matches from SmackDown this week at this particular link.
I'm waiting to hear your take and your opinions, ladies, and gentlemen!
#1 Best: The Fiend stops the 'Yes!' movement from even getting underway during Miz vs. Bryan
Even though the crowd was especially cold this week when The Fiend showed up, I thought that the timing was brilliant, in the overall contest of the storyline. The lights went out at one point earlier, but The Fiend never showed up until the tail-end of the Miz vs. Daniel Bryan match this week.
Daniel Bryan was on the verge of bringing the 'Yes!' movement back and it was exactly at that point that The Fiend showed up exactly where The Miz had been a few moments ago. It could have been a scene out of a movie, with the way that it was choreographed, and I have to commend WWE for the way that they have been booking their Universal Champion. They're doing things differently and honestly speaking, I dig it!
#1 Worst: The appearance by The OC
I just didn't think that it made sense to have three superstars like AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows in the building and have them just cut a promo for no real reason. Of course, the crowd let their resentment be known and started chanting for one CM Punk.
AJ Styles went on to say that he would mop the floor with CM Punk. As exciting as the match sounds on paper, we know it won't happen because Punk is a FOX employee, so there's that, I guess.
I would have much rather had The OC jump The New Day or Heavy Machinery or even The Undisputed ERA to prove their dominance. Cutting the promo was just underwhelming and did nothing with regard to me wanting to watch the pay-per-view.
Sometimes it just feels like WWE has such a talented roster but doesn't know what to do with them.
#2 Best: Dream match with a very innovative pinfall
If you're a WWE fan, the fact of the matter is that there's so much content to watch you can probably see something coming from a mile away. Even if it's a dream match between Charlotte Flair from RAW, Rhea Ripley from NXT and Team Captain of SmackDown herself, The Boss, Sasha Banks!
I loved how the women made the finish different, with Rhea Ripley picking up a win in a very innovative manner. This was the women proving that they are always thinking on their feet and they go the extra mile to make their stuff seem different and unique!
Also, in many ways, this was a cooler match than the triple threat we get at the pay-per-view between Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Shayna Baszler, at least to me. I couldn't believe that a match so good happened on free television!
#2 Worst: No Becky Lynch
I just found it odd that Becky Lynch wasn't there in the go-home show before Survivor Series to promote her match against Shayna Baszler and Bayley. I mean this is one of the featured matches from the card and honestly, Becky Lynch is the only out-and-out star in the contest of the three.
Bayley's been splendid since her recent change in attitude but honestly speaking, she is still probably the least 'over' of the Four Horsewomen at this particular point in time. Shayna Baszler, likewise, is amazing, but she still has a while to go before she is a household name like Becky Lynch is right now.
In any case, this was also probably the least exciting aspect of the whole show, truth be told. The fact that Bayley said that Shayna Baszler attacks her from behind and ended up attacking her from behind will not make people rush to the WWE Network to renew their subscriptions!
#3 Best: Dream feud teased
Growing up, I often wondered what it would be like to have Superstars from WWE square off against Superstars of WCW. I would have loved to see The Undertaker or Stone Cold take on Sting or Goldberg respectively, back during the height of the Monday Night Wars.
In 2019, WWE is the clear industry leader and its sub-brands exist to create competition within the company. In any case, the point I'm trying to make here is that when Braun Strowman and Keith Lee squared off, I knew instantly that it was a match that I wanted to see.
Braun Strowman is someone who's deceptively agile for a man of his size. And Keith Lee is even more agile even if he's not necessarily as big as the Monster Among Men.
I'm guessing that this is a clash we'll get to see at Survivor Series and I'm certainly it'll be one worth waiting for!
#3 Best/Worst: The brawl at the end
Let's be honest here for a minute. Even though the brawl at the end was amazing, especially with the DX style invasion that happened, how many of us did not predict the show going off the air with all three brands clashing?
It was a predictable segment that had a few high spots, especially with Keith Lee from NXT squaring off with Braun Strowman from SmackDown, as has been mentioned. Moreover, when Seth Rollins from RAW threw the first punch on Roman Reigns from SmackDown, it was cool to see!
It was especially cool to see Road Dogg, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H arriving at SmackDown like they attacked WCW in the 90s. It was a very cool throwback moment and I personally loved how WWE tried to make a predictable segment 'different'.
Did it succeed, ladies and gentlemen? Did it make you more excited for Survivor Series than you once were?
#4 Best/Worst: The new Intercontinental Championship
Have you heard the old saying about fixing what is not broken, dear reader? I didn't think that the old Intercontinental Championship was bad at all, but I suppose the new one is still an improvement over the old design. I'd like you to weigh in and tell me what you guys think about it. Also, what did you think of Sami Zayn calling himself a 'stud'?
I like the fact that Sami Zayn gets so much TV time now, but I would have much preferred to see him in the ring than doing the goofy things that he's been doing. I guess WWE wants him to portray an 'annoying' character but I don't necessarily know if that translates to good television.
In any case, I'm okay with the new design. Now the only thing we need is the return of The Goddess, Alexa Bliss.
Do you agree, reader?
Did you enjoy tonight's SmackDown? Rate the matches right here!
