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This episode of SmackDown Live did not get me excited for Hell in a Cell this weekend. If anything, it was an even poorer effort than RAW was, and RAW wasn't a good episode. There was a lot more bad than good this weekend. And it wasn't a lack of effort from the talent, but Creative.
Somehow, WWE seemed liked they phoned it in, with Hell in a Cell approaching. The company had already made sure that plans were in place before this episode got underway. You could have missed this episode and not really missed much.
In this article, I shall detail the good and separate it from the bad. Did you have as poor an opinion of this week's show as I did?
Let me know in the comments...
#1 Best: The ambush
Charlotte Flair took on Sonya Deville in a meaningless exhibition match this week, that she won quite comprehensively. Anyone that has watched WWE for any length of time knew the outcome even before it actually transpired. It was after the match that the big twist happened, setting the crowd on fire! This was the best part of the show.
Charlotte Flair, the essential babyface, shook hands with her fans on the way to the back. And then, suddenly, an audience member would attack. Lo and behold, it was Becky Lynch in a black wig, dressing up as a member of the WWE Universe, stepping out for revenge and retribution.
I had a chance to interact with The Goddess, Alexa Bliss, who said she approved of Becky Lynch's heel turn. I must say that I agree because she has never seemed more interesting than right now.
The only problem is that she's coming off as cooler than Charlotte Flair.
#1 Worst: The main event match
We've seen a lot of fantastic matches on SmackDown Live in the recent past. The main event could be the worst match that has happened on the brand. There was a lot of smoke and mirrors around the two women, and I actually liked that. But even that couldn't hide the fact that this match didn't deserve to be on the show, much less main event an actual show!
That said, it is commendable that Maryse actually got into the ring so soon after giving birth. I would have been okay with this match had it occurred in the middle of this week's show honestly.
#2 Best: The sacrifice
Sheamus and Cesaro took on Rusev Day in a fantastic match this week. What I particularly liked about the match was the finish. Especially how Aiden English took the bullet to save his faction leader, Rusev!
This allowed Rusev to pick up the win. Rusev Day will face New Day at Hell in a Cell. I'm sure that the match will not disappoint.
Could we see brand new tag team champions this weekend? I do believe that if we do, it will certainly freshen the division up significantly.
#2 Worst: Different match, same finish
We've seen this outcome far too often. It was possible to predict how it will go down, even before it actually happened. Randy Orton interfered in Jeff Hardy's match, laying a beatdown on him.
This would not have been a 'worst', had we not seen it week after week. It just seemed like a repeat of what we've seen in the past from Orton. I'm glad that Orton varied his offence, and did not pull on Hardy's ear again.
That said, I'm sure their match at Hell in a Cell will be pretty good. This week certainly was a dud.
#3 Best: Andrade 'Cien' Almas delivers again
Andrade 'Cien' Almas was a standout performer when he was in NXT. I'm compelled to think that he will be one of those performers who's actually going to be a success in the main roster as well. We heard rumours that Vince McMahon was high on the man. It's easy to see why!
I have mixed feelings about the R Truth and Carmella partnership. But Truth sure did hang with Almas in the ring, and then some!
#3 Worst: The Asuka promo
Asuka is not comfortable speaking in English. So what does WWE do then? They give her a lot of spoken segments and odd lines, to mould her into a comedy character. It was hard to see what she has sadly now devolved into.
Hey, it's better than her staying off TV. Remember the golden times though, when she was an unstoppable monster?
#4 Best/worst: The AJ-Joe build
Samoa Joe could read a nursery rhyme and it would be scary. Unfortunately, it isn't a figure of speech, in this particular case. That is exactly what he did on this week's show. It was scary!
I did not care for AJ Styles' empty arena interview too much. Joe's promo was fine, but I've heard better from the guy. I'd have preferred to see them slug it out.
Once again, I know they will deliver at Hell in a Cell. They will both bring their A-Game to the dance.
Mandy Rose, unfortunately, will not be at Hell in a Cell, this weekend!
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