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SmackDown Live came to us from the Century Link Center in Omaha. There was enough good on this show to ensure that there are as many 'bests' as 'worsts', this week. Sadly, the show seemed like a completely miss-able affair. We could have just fast forwarded to the next week and it wouldn't have mattered.
That said, I will separate the good from the bad in this list, like always. And as always, I invite your comments. Did you think SmackDown Live was an improvement after the three lackluster hours of RAW last night?
What was your highlight of the night? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This is what I thought about this week's show!
#1 Best: Return of the champion
Rusev was crowned the number 1 contender some time ago. However, the program between him and WWE Champion AJ Styles did not kick off until recently, because Styles was away for media duties. I was glad to see him return to the show and kickstart the WWE Championship program off. I was thrilled at the dual 'AJ Styles- Rusev Day' chants as well!
This week, Styles took on Rusev's trusted aide and companion, Aiden English. It was not really the most important match in the world and the result was obvious to anyone who's been watching WWE for any length of time. That said, the beatdown from Rusev on AJ Styles established that he was the powerhouse in the WWE Championship program.
Rusev vs. AJ Styles seems like a fresh program and also, a rather intriguing one as the men have really never had a full-fledged program before this. While Styles will probably retain his championship at Extreme Rules, this is still a welcome feud!
#1 Worst: Inter-gender match
There have been many fantastic inter gender matches in the independent circuit. You will not get a match of that calibre in WWE. This is because a match between men and women is frowned upon in today's day and age. At best, an inter-gender match will only end the way it did this week.
There will be a rematch between Asuka and Ellsworth on next week's show. I do hope that match has a little more meat to it. I personally preferred the Becky Lynch vs. Ellsworth match to this week's affair.
#2 Best: Team Hell No's dynamic
At the top of the show, Daniel Bryan outlined all his problems with Kane. This was a great touch because it brought everything home...just how far these two men have come. Wasn't there a point where we thought we'd never see either man wrestle again- one owing to injuries and the other because of his political career?
Kane and Daniel Bryan strike a chord with me because they personify sports entertainment. They're not a well-oiled machine like The Usos are. Somehow, their chemistry is very different and yet, works!
I can't wait to see Team Hell No square off against the Bludgeon Brothers. That should be a match to remember and cherish quite fondly!
#2 Worst: Setting The Bar low
SmackDown Live is often considered to be the land of opportunity. And yet, Cesaro and Sheamus haven't been seen on TV in a while, haven't they? If anything, they were far better off on RAW. How do you have two talents of their calibre and not have a storyline for them both?
The same can be said for Samoa Joe and Andrade 'Cien' Almas as well! As difficult as the third hour on RAW is to sit through, we now know why it is important. At least everyone gets on the show!
#3 Best: Becky Lynch's winning streak
Becky Lynch has gained a lot of momentum, of late. She's been winning a lot more than she's been losing recently. This week, she picked up a big win against Peyton Royce. It's clear that she's being set up for a big push in coming weeks.
Maybe SummerSlam will be the stage where she holds the women's championship aloft again!
#3 Worst: Paige's botch
One assumes that the General Manager of the brand would know the name of the brand she leads with utmost pride. Except when Paige came to cut a promo at the top of the show, she called SmackDown Live by the wrong name. She said 'SmackDeem Tag Team Champions' instead. This was a hilarious botch indeed.
Some may say that I'm being a tad too harsh with the botch, but as a General Manager this is the one mistake you cannot afford to make!
#4 Best/worst: A brand new feud
I am enthralled at the possibility of a New Day vs. SAnitY feud. I'm just not kicked about the way it was set up, at all. A pancake eating contest? This was one of the most cringy moments on TV recently.
SAnitY suffered a loss in their debut match. They may need to win this feud to stay relevant on SmackDown Live. Momentum is key in WWE, as we've continuously learned.
And so another week of WWE main roster programming gets done. Let me know what you thought of the show overall.
Let me end the article on an absolute feel good note:
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