Best and worst of WWE SmackDown Live (Superstar Shake-Up)- Team splits, NXT star debuts

I have to say that this edition of the Superstar Shake-Up was a torrent of both ups and downs. And I mean that about both brands (assessment here). There are certainly a lot of positive signs for the immediate future. But there were also a few disappointments that I will mention here.

Welcome to the 'Best and worst' of SmackDown Live. As always, I invite you to share your thoughts on the article and the show. Mind you, this is not a results piece, and if you want a complete run-down of what happened during the show, check out this completely different section.

But without further ado, let me launch into this week's edition of 'Best and Worst'. Thank you for reading this week and on other weeks, dearest reader.

How would you honestly rate this edition of the Superstar Shake-Up?

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#1 Best: Roman Reigns on SmackDown Live

I know that you guys are already booing me but I'm going to go and call this a best. This is because this is a fresh departure for the Big Dog and because it is clear that he's not in the title picture at least for right now. Do you really want to see Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns feud over the Universal Championship? Or would you rather have him on brand blue?

I also liked the fact that Vince McMahon allowed himself to be taken out by Roman Reigns. Say whatever you want to about the man, about how he's senile and no longer in touch with the pulse of the WWE Universe, but McMahon is willing to do things in the ring that others would not.

And the move worked. Roman Reigns actually got cheered for knocking his boss out!

#1 Worst: Vince McMahon's big surprise

All through the course of the last twenty-four hours, the WWE Universe had been buzzing about SmackDown Live's latest acquisition. Vince McMahon had hyped up the fact that the newest acquisition would be the biggest.

When Elias came out through the curtains, you could feel the energy fizzle and drain out of the room almost at once, because of the massive hype that had been generated. It was clear as day that Vince McMahon wanted the crowd to boo him to set up the Superman Punch, but the damage had been done.

WWE has even claimed in recent times that it doesn't listen to fans, so for the company to swerve the WWE Universe in this manner leaves fans with a sour taste in their mouth. Who knows how many people watched the show wanting to see a legend return?

McMahon's surprise was a bust.

#2 Best: Kairi Sane debuts and Paige returns

Last week, Paige had promised us that she would be bringing her very own team from NXT soon. And that turned out to be a unit comprising of Asuka and Kairi Sane. This is a very positive development and I will tell you why such is the case right here.

Asuka is perhaps the best in-ring worker that WWE has, at the moment. She is such an exemplary performer that NXT had bestowed an undefeated streak upon her that she carried to the main roster. But under the bright lights of RAW and SmackDown Live, her inability to communicate in English was exposed.

Paige had to call it quits from the wrestling business owing to the injuries that she has sustained during her career and I'm glad to see her return. She's a great promo and can be a great mouthpiece for Asuka and Kairi Sane, the incredibly talented NXT call up.

#2 Worst: Still no title feud for Kofi Kingston

I mean it's one thing to realize your destiny and capture the WWE Championship after eleven whole years in the business. It's another to be booked strongly as a Champion after you are coronated as one. We remember a strong champion only because of the challengers he vanquishes during his title reign, don't we?

I thought that the main event match with Kevin Owens was a fun little segment for sure, but I'd like to see more people step up to take Kofi Kingston on. Only that would make it seem like the WWE Championship is really worthwhile. Rusev, Nakamura and Cesaro are all worthy heels who should have stepped up to the plate.

The same can be said for the Universal Championship as well, but at least Seth Rollins is not a comedy character. And that's the difference between the two reigning champions.

#3 Best: Big O

There's literally nobody in WWE who does comedy better than Kevin Owens does, in my opinion. Sure, R-Truth does come close, but Kevin Owens has me howling, more often than not.

Remember when he had applied a headlock on Roman Reigns, and Reigns could not help break character and crack a smile during a live event, as Owens ranted? If you do not, then I suggest you google it, because it is just an example of how inherently funny Owens can be.

The stuff that he did with New Day was gold, as Kevin Owens shook his hips and wolfed down a whole bunch of pancakes for one night, as the temporary replacement for the injured Big E Langston. Owens was left out from the proceedings at WrestleMania this year, but I'm sure that he's earned his place back and then some, in the roster.

Welcome back, Big O!

#3 Worst: No more Boss n' Hug Connection anymore

I haven't really commented on the Sasha Banks situation in any of my articles yet, because of the lack of details surrounding her status. But it is clear as day that Bayley and Sasha Banks will not be a unit for the foreseeable future, and that is quite sad.

I mean these were the two women who pushed for the Women's Tag Team Championships to become a thing backstage and I just think that it's criminal that they're not going to be part of the title's legacy anymore, honestly. Let's hope that Bayley can recreate the success that she had in NXT as a singles competitor because her main roster run did not pan out as well.

Maybe team Bayley up with Carmella? The two of them are real-life best friends and currently on the same brand too.

I would be into that!

#4 Best: Finn Balor and Ember Moon on team blue

Usually, I reserve the last page of this article for the best/worst section. I'm going to end on a positive note for a change and say that I like the idea of Ember Moon and Finn Balor arriving on the blue brand. Both are known more for their in-ring skills than their prowess in sports entertainment skits and should do better on SmackDown.

Balor, in particular, should have been on SmackDown Live from the very start, I feel. If he does lose the Intercontinental Championship down the line, I can potentially envision him becoming the WWE Champion someday. There may even be potential for him for turn heel.

As for Ember Moon, she is a definite contender to be Women's Champion down the line someday. Imagine the quality of matches she could potentially have with one Becky Lynch.

But then, here's The Goddess!