Best and worst of WWE SmackDown - Major breakup angle teased, Babyfaces act as heels

I will say this with all my heart, ladies, and gentlemen of the WWE Universe who religiously tune in to RAW, NXT, and SmackDown on a weekly basis. SmackDown is quickly becoming my favorite WWE show because of the amazing stories the brand seems to be telling.

There was genuinely a lot to like about this week's show and yes, there were some things that I did not particularly care for either. I shall delve into both in this week's article and I invite you to do the same, writing down your thoughts about SmackDown in the comments below.

In any case, let me take a few minutes of your precious time and help you delve into what happened on SmackDown this week, separating the good from the bad, in the process.

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#1 Best: A big breakup angle is teased on SmackDown

So, you think that just because Sasha Banks and Bayley won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships on SmackDown, they are back to normal again and that all their issues will be put aside, once and for all? No, sir or ma'am, you are mistaken if you think so because the real drama is bound to begin now on SmackDown, on a weekly basis.

You may read all my thoughts on why Sasha Banks and Bayley became the WWE Women's Champions right here. But it's very telling that there was a point in the match, where Sasha Banks had the match won but Bayley would step in to make things very complicated indeed. SmackDown is telling a fantastic story about these two women slowly unraveling at the seams, and I am willing to go along for the ride.

Will you guys miss Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross as Champions, going forward?

#1 Worst: Are SmackDown stars Mandy Rose and Otis babyfaces or heels?

Not long ago, I had a chance to catch up with SmackDown star Otis on a teleconference and I have to say that I am very pleased with how it eventually turned out. I implore you to check it out in the link that I have shared before I continue with my SmackDown review.

I just think that Otis and Mandy Rose did not behave as babyfaces generally would and I don't know if it will necessarily endear the two of them to the SmackDown crowd overall. You had them stealing King Corbin's crown, who is a full-fledged heel, and then you had Mandy Rose show up on the big screen during a SmackDown match between Lacey Evans and Sonya Deville to cost her former best friend the win.

A grown man upset about losing his crown is such a childish angle, even by sports entertainment and SmackDown standards.

Maybe not as much as the Broken 'Matt Hardy' and Vanguard 1 stuff but yes, still pretty weird nevertheless.

#2 Best: Pushing the SmackDown mid-card in the best manner

To say that the current SmackDown roster is the most talented ever is not an understatement, ladies and gentlemen. If you scan the current SmackDown roster, you will see that it is filled with talent like never before. But for the men and women of SmackDown to shine as their predecessors have, they need to be given opportunities to showcase their wares in the spotlight.

Drew Gulak's win over AJ Styles is the biggest one of his career and it does not hurt AJ Styles who is closer to the end of his run than the beginning anyway. Shorty G teaming up with The New Day is a truly huge deal as well, but the real winner this week was Mojo Rawley, even if he came up short in his match, in my opinion. Rawley has always been relegated to the sidelines and this was his first big moment to shine bright.

Let's hope that all three men get a chance to shine bright on SmackDown in the days that follow.

#2 Worst: SmackDown doesn't go the extra mile with the DUI angle

I do realize that SmackDown could still swerve us with the red hair and red beard and it could turn out to be someone like Sami Zayn when all is said and done. But judging from how the whole Roman Reigns vs. Rowan angle played out on SmackDown not very long ago, I doubt SmackDown is going to be far too experimental. Also, why would Sami Zayn target Jeff Hardy of all people in such a secretive manner and ignore all of the other contestants in the said tournament?

No, WWE had a chance to tell a fantastic story on SmackDown and even involve the hacker in a grand way, in my personal opinion at least. But from the looks of it to me at least, it seems like the angle has already come to a close with Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus being confirmed for Backlash.

I'm bored of the feud already and I genuinely think that Sheamus would have been the right candidate to become the Intercontinental Champion. AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan don't really need the title, honestly.

#3 Best/Worst: Everything with the Universal Championship build on SmackDown

I would be lying to you if I said that I wasn't entertained by the whole Braun Strowman vs. Miz and Morrison build on SmackDown but I have to say that it's very childish, in a lot of ways. I mean everyone in the world could predict that Braun Strowman would overturn the van on SmackDown except for Miz and Morrison who have never seen footage of the man before, from what it seems.

And while I do realize that the SmackDown audience these days consists of families and not necessarily the same folks who were around back in the Attitude Era, I do believe that showing green slime falling on Kayla Braxton may be a little too silly even for these current standards. In any case, the window smashing angle with Miz and Morrison was good, I guess.

I do wish that SmackDown would be a little edgier because unless you're a hardcore fan, such angles may just drive older viewers away. If it wasn't my job, I would have switched the channel.