Best and Worst of SmackDown Live - 3 April, 2018

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified Apr 04, 2018 08:48 IST
This was the final stop on the road to WrestleMania
This was the final stop on the road to WrestleMania

And there you have it, folks. There are no more stops until WrestleMania 34. The final episode of SmackDown Live before WrestleMania had its moments, both good and bad. We shall separate one from the other, in this 'Best and Worst' piece.

We invite you to leave a comment and let us know your thoughts, heading into WrestleMania, the grandest WWE show. Did you think the show was a success or a complete dud? Did you think this was worthy of being a go-home show?

For what it is worth, here is our analysis of the two hours of action. Read on, and enjoy!

#1 Best: The run in

We loved how realistically this was actually done!
We loved how realistically this angle was actually done!

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn took a page out of Scott Hall's nWo playbook. They did not walk out of the ramp after being fired, but instead came out through the crowd. They cut a passionate promo on the task at hand. They mentioned Daniel Bryan's wife and daughter, like a good heel should.

This was a perfectly executed run in, we felt. Their microphones were cut out at the right time. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon came out for retaliation and the heat felt real.

What made the run-in great was how we didn't expect it to happen. We're supremely excited about the WrestleMania match now.

And this is not just because Daniel Bryan will make his highly anticipated in-ring return but because of the stakes and the heat involved.

#1 Worst: The tag team title build

Considering how much time and effort WWE put in to build up the WWE Championship match and the Women's Championship match, the build for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships just seemed lazy in comparison.

Moreover, it seemed goofy. It did not do justice to the performers involved. In fact, it watered down the match significantly.

Five men backed away from two, when the Bludgeon Brothers appeared, despite the fact that they should have been seeking retribution after what happened at the Fastlane pay-per-view. The backstage skit just seemed hastily put together and rather pointless, as well.

#2 Best: The attempted cash-in

Carmella's threat still looms in the background
Carmella's threat still looms in the background

Even when Asuka and Charlotte Flair squared off for their WrestleMania dream match, we realized that there's a threat looming in the background. The threat is Carmella. She could cash-in at any time.

Carmella tried to cash in during the match between Charlotte Flair and Natalya this week. Flair would kick Carmella's briefcase away, before the cash in could happen. This was still a pretty cool moment overall.

We gasped when we thought that the dream match at WrestleMania 34 was in jeopardy. We can finally breathe easy once more.

#2 Worst: Mid-match split screens

During Survivor Series, we hear about how RAW and SmackDown Live are at odds. Yet, during WrestleMania season, we see RAW matches being advertised during SmackDown. Yes, during the course of a match. This was distracting and downright disrespectful.

At multiple times during the night, whenever we would find ourselves invested in a match, we would see the split screen happen. And this is in addition to several promo packages. They took us out of the show, time and again!

We won't even mention the number of ads that transpired through the night. It was truly unbearable.

#3 Best: The mind games

We weren't too sold on the promos that Styles and Nakamura did in the backstage area, leading up to the main event contest. However, both men proved just how masterful they were during the match.

The 'head pat' was used as a move to show the other man his place. And this is how two babyfaces built incredible passive-aggressive heat, leading into their big match.

Perhaps the finish of the match was the masterstroke. Styles teased a Phenomenal Forearm, and delivered a phenomenal 'head pat' instead.

#3 Worst: 'What' chants during the opening segment

The Nashville Crowd would not even spare the ultimate underdog
The Nashville Crowd would not even spare the ultimate underdog

Daniel Bryan defied the odds and made a huge comeback a few weeks ago. It was a fairytale story that is worthy of being made into a movie. He received a fabulous ovation when he kicked off the show, this week. And then he cut a promo and the 'What?' chants began!

For all that Stone Cold Steve Austin has done for the business, the 'What' chants are possibly the worst thing ever. This week, they stopped us from enjoying what should have been a great segment with major WrestleMania 34 implications.

#4 Best/Worst: Rusev's win

Does the Bulgarian Brute's win mean he'll lose at WrestleMania?
Does the Bulgarian Brute's win mean he'll lose at WrestleMania?

Rusev squared off against Jinder Mahal in singles competition, leading up to their WrestleMania match. He even picked up a big win. We have mixed feelings about this win, however. It probably means that he will lose at WrestleMania.

Usually, whoever gets a win during a go-home show gets pinned on the grandest stage of all. We wonder if this means that Rusev won't have a crowning moment at WrestleMania. A shame really, considering just how over he is.

There are no more stops until WrestleMania. Keep reading this site for updates that may emerge with WrestleMania implications.

And because we did not see her this week, we end with the Irish Lash Kicker.

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