'%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)
This week's episode of SmackDown Live was the go-home show before Money in the Bank comes around this weekend. It was a solid show as SmackDown always is. It was also an unimportant show, as recent episodes of SmackDown Live have been. Very little of consequence happened during the course of the two hours.
Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news
That said, the show wasn't necessarily bad. The matches were good and at no point, did I feel the energy go down. It was an entertaining show from start to finish.
Here's my best and worst analysis from the show. Leave a comment and let me know what you thought of the show overall.
Also let me know if you're kicked about Money in the Bank, this weekend or not!
#1 Best: Big win for Rusev
In all the hullabaloo that ensued after this match, it was forgotten that Rusev pinned Samoa Joe. Joe has always been one of the more protected superstars in the roster and considering how far down the ladder Rusev has come, this was a big win. Sure, The Miz was involved in the finish so it wasn't clean. However, it shows that the company has faith in Rusev.
However, because of this win, it seems unlikely that Rusev will win at Money in the Bank. WWE rarely allows the man standing tall at the go-home show to pick up the big victory during the pay-per-view. Could Samoa Joe win the contract then?
Can we also talk about just how gifted Samoa Joe is as a performer? He can dive and fly around like a man half his size, and that...coupled with his strikes and incredible promo ability makes him the MVP of SmackDown Live right now.
#1 Worst: Styles meets the King
It is clear that SmackDown Live thinks that old school is cool again. Last week, they did a backstage contract signing segment. This week, they did one of those side stage interviews once again. This time, the guest of honour was the WWE Champion, the 'Phenomenal' AJ Styles.
Somehow, the interview was so short and succinct that it almost felt rather pointless. It was clear that with the match being set in stone, Styles had nothing more to add during this interview. The segment was skippable. Thankfully, I'm certain that the match will be good.
#2 Best: Using a second finisher
Daniel Bryan has a vast array of submission moves at his disposal. I'm glad that he is using more than one finisher right now. This week, when the 'Yes Lock' did not work, he finished his match with the 'Heel Hook'. He did so with the utmost of ease proving why he's the best wrestler of our generation.
Whatever you may say about the quality of content with regard to present-day WWE, the quality of wrestling is now better than ever. How amazing it is that only months ago we weren't sure if Bryan would wrestle again and now he's competing almost on a weekly basis?!
#2 Worst: On the same page
Charlotte Flair, Naomi, Becky Lynch and Lana will be the four women competing at Money in the Bank from SmackDown Live. They started off SmackDown Live by teasing dissension, getting us pumped for the match. By the end of the night, they were working in unison and even victorious in their effort. I felt like this was a missed opportunity by WWE Creative.
Wouldn't it have made more sense for the women to not have coexisted leading to their team suffering defeat? This was only marginally better than showing eight superstars atop eight ladders like they did on RAW.
#3 Best: Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
I thought Jeff Hardy and Nakamura had a pretty solid match. I also liked the fact that there wasn't a conclusive winner because both men needed to look strong. I'm sure that these two men will clash again down the line someday. Maybe over the United States Championship.
Once again, Nakamura counted to ten after taking the low road. By doing so, he built a stronger case for his match with Styles than the Champion did with his blink-and-miss interview.
#3 Worst: Burying the Tag Team division?
Not long ago, The New Day and The Usos were redefining Tag Team wrestling on SmackDown Live. Look at the division now. The Tag Team Championship match has been relegated to the Money in the Bank Kickoff. This is supremely unfortunate news.
The Tag Team Division on RAW isn't faring too much better either. Is this the end of solid Tag Team booking as we know it?
#4 Best/worst: Pancakes in the briefcase
The Miz was the special guest referee in the match between Rusev and Samoa Joe. After the match, he climbed the ladder and retrieved the Money in the Bank contract, bringing it to the announcer's desk. Only, there was no contract inside. Instead, there were pancakes.
I don't know how to feel about New Day and the 'pancake' gimmick, really. I admit I did chuckle. But the air of seriousness that should exist around Money in the Bank is sadly missing currently.
The pancakes hide the fact that all three competitors are world class athletes. The pancakes could be the reason that the Tag Team Division on SmackDown Live was never taken as seriously as it should have been.
Which member of The New Day do you see competing at Money in the Bank?
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
