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I personally thought that the RAW that followed Super Show-Down was solid. SmackDown Live, however, was a different story. There was very little to get invested in, this week. I suppose they're saving all the heavy hitting for SmackDown 1000 next week.
I wouldn't say it was the worst two hours of wrestling I've seen. But these two hours felt unimportant and did not get me excited for the future at all. Yet again, I suppose this was the lull before the storm that is SmackDown 1000.
I know I could be alone in my assessment and so I'm asking you guys to send in your comments right below. What did you think of the show overall?
Here is my personal assessment of the events that transpired:
#1 Best: Setting up the historic Evolution match
Both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair know that they have a chance to create history, much like the Four Horsewomen did in NXT. And so, they are always upping the tempo and dialling up the action whenever they have the chance to mix it up in the ring. I thought that they had a very solid opening contest, this week. I especially liked the fact that the episode began with no frills, but a very solid match.
It was certainly a very good setup for the historic Last Woman Standing match at Evolution. Both women got counted out, leaving the audience asking for more. I genuinely thought that they told a good story heading into the PPV.
And now, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair have a chance to completely change the landscape of the women's division at Evolution. Could they put on an even better match than this week's contest?
I think so.
#1 Worst: Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe told a good story, selling his injury from the Super Show-Down event in Melbourne. But because of the same reason, the match this week felt like a real dampener. It was an odd finish, to see that Samoa Joe could not continue because of damage sustained in his legs. I just expected more.
That being said, Jeff Hardy goes to the next round of the world cup tournament. And that's certainly not where my problems with this tournament end.
#2 Best: Babyface vs. babyface heat
Everybody has wanted to see Daniel Bryan take on AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. However, WWE hardly ever books babyface vs. babyface programs, because there is hardly ever any heat for contests of such a nature. So, enter The Miz.
I thought Miz TV was a great setup this week, to set up a match between two athletes that respect one another. Not every fight needs to be Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov. Sometimes, even two good guys could potentially lock horns.
I wonder if The Miz will get added to this feud in due course of time, however. He certainly seems to be a very integral part of the ongoing storyline.
#2 Worst: The world cup
A world cup generally has various nations competing for a coveted trophy or a similar reward. WWE is planning to host a World Cup in Saudi Arabia, at the Crown Jewel pay-per-view. The only problem with this event is that all four of the entrants are American born. It makes absolutely no sense at all.
Maybe the name of the tournament needs to be changed, to make people care about it at all. There are superstars of every nationality in the roster, so I wonder why WWE is booking an all American tournament in Saudi Arabia.
#3 Best: The return of the Big Show
The Big Show is leaner and meaner than he ever was. The crowd serenaded him with chants of 'You Still Got It', when he got into the ring this week on SmackDown Live. He even had a solid, if not particularly exciting match against Randy Orton. He does still have it.
No, he did not progress beyond the first round of the World Cup. But it was great to see him return from injury and put on a solid effort against Orton.
#3 Worst: Non sadistic Randy Orton
Of course, Randy Orton won the big match with an eye poke. But somehow, I expected worse from The Viper. Having taken out his ire on Dillinger and Hardy in the past, Orton almost seemed well behaved this week. In fact, Brie Bella was more like Randy Orton recently:
Couldn't he have launched an attack on a body part, in line with his brand new gimmick? This lack of consistency from Orton could derail the newfound momentum he has.
#4 Best/worst: One Night in Milwaukee
We all knew that this video was not going to feature raunchiness, owing to the restrictions of modern day WWE programming, which is alright. However, I was stunned at how little of a crowd reaction this segment actually received. The audience seemed dead for this segment.
But then again, I like Aiden English's transition to complete heeldom here. I loved the fact that the only thing he wanted is for Rusev Day to reunite again. And while that may have struck a chord with Rusev, the fact that Aiden came on to his wife, shattered all illusions.
I look forward to their feud. I just wish that the crowd have cared more.
What did you think of this segment overall, ladies and gentlemen?
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