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WWE SmackDown had its ups and downs as the company builds up to SummerSlam in August, but I have to admit that it was mostly good. And yet, one cannot help but think that the show seems like it's lacking in the same kind of excitement that pervaded WWE SmackDown back when fans were in the arena.
That said, there were definitely high points during WWE SmackDown this week, and I will even go so far as to say that it was a pretty solid fallout episode considering that I didn't find myself bored at any point. Bruce Prichard has been doing a great job as the man at the helm of WWE SmackDown and the show seems to fly by quicker than ever, these days.
Here is what I liked about WWE SmackDown this week and by the same token, I thought that some things could have been improved upon.
#1 Best: Miz and Morrison are charisma machines on WWE SmackDown
I keep singing the praises of Sasha Banks and Bayley and how they always steal the show when they are on WWE SmackDown. But I have to admit that John Morrison and The Miz are just as charismatic and may even be more hilarious than The Role models, in a variety of ways.
But perhaps the funniest thing on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown was the reference to the whole Seth Rollins puke meter. I hope that this becomes a regular theme until the time is ripe for The Monday Night Messiah to challenge Miz and Morrison with Murphy by his side.
Also, Naomi is clearly getting a push on WWE SmackDown and I am glad to see her inching ever so close to a title shot against Bayley.
#1 Best/Worst: The Bar Fight in the main event spot of WWE SmackDown
Honestly, the bar fight in the main event of WWE SmackDown was a lot better than I expected it to be, but there were so many things that I could have done without. Such a personal feud should not have begun with what seemed like a very polite and civil conversation between Sheamus and Jeff Hardy, who have had a heated rivalry on WWE SmackDown (where AEW star Matt Hardy was mentioned).
Also, the whole supernatural element where Jeff Hardy turned into Brother Nero or Willow would have been avoided because this was supposed to be a bar brawl and that whole sequence at the end gave it a rather cinematic touch which I wasn't really a fan of, personally. That said, this was a very entertaining contest otherwise and a welcome departure from the ring because there's only so much you can do on WWE SmackDown without fans for two hours. I would welcome more such matches in the future, to be quite honest with you, but maybe with some other performers.
#2 Best: Teasing a split between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross after their match on WWE SmackDown
Alexa Bliss has always been better as a heel than a babyface, whether it is on WWE SmackDown or RAW and it does seem like it will be she who turns on Nikki Cross. Even though the two of them seem hunky-dory after the match that they had on WWE SmackDown this week, one has to be blind to not see that the seeds of dissent have been planted between the two women. And this is a great development especially if the plan is for WWE to put the title around Nikki Cross' waist, in time.
Alexa Bliss has been lost in the shuffle without the kind of spark that she once had, back when she was a heel.
With Naomi stepping up on WWE SmackDown as a babyface, it may finally be time for Alexa Bliss to tap into her dark side again and channel it. It may not be as exciting as turning her into Sister Abigail, but it's the next best thing.
#2 Worst: Metalik becomes the #1 contender on WWE SmackDown for a shot against AJ Styles
Let me rid you of the notion at the very start of this paragraph that I am not a fan of WWE SmackDown star Metalik. I think he's one of the most gifted guys in the entire WWE roster and can do things in the ring that none can. I am just a little disappointed that WWE would push him in such a manner without any character work or emotional investment for fans, who would rather see AJ Styles win, considering that they have followed his story for so long.
Also, does anyone in their right mind think that Metalik has a chance to dethrone Styles, someone who has gone up against Brock Lesnar in a singles contest and come out looking like a million bucks?
However, there was one positive development on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown and I would have to say that the best note to end this article on would be to sing praises of that development.
#3 Best: Big E to finally get a WWE SmackDown singles run?
Big E was always touted to be the breakout superstar before Roman Reigns and one can clearly see why. Not only is he the most underrated star on WWE SmackDown in the ring, but he is also highly entertaining and has a connection with the crowd that few Superstars, past or present, do.
I would love to see him become the next WWE Intercontinental Champion or even the face of WWE SmackDown with the Universal Championship. I am a lot more invested in the Big E story than the whole Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman stretched-out storyline that, to me, seems very dull.
Be sure to check out my colleague Rick Ucchino's conversation with Nikki Cross, who seems poised to be the face of the WWE SmackDown women's division by clicking on the link that has been posted above. Also, between Alexa Bliss and her WWE SmackDown partner Nikki Cross, who in your opinion would make a better and more convincing Sister Abigail?
