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There was a sense of urgency in the latest episode of SmackDown Live that's been missing for a while. Often times, the show feels complacent and predictable. This week's show was anything but what one would usually expect from WWE. In my opinion, this was one of the more eventful episodes in recent memory.
I would like to hear your thoughts after what we just witnessed ahead of Survivor Series. What do you think of the new match-ups that will take place? Do you think it will be a good show?
Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. As always, I will share my own in this article, either as a best or a worst.
Let's begin with the one piece of news that's got everyone talking at the moment.
#1 Best: A brand new WWE Champion
You knew something was going to happen, the moment the show began. There was just a sense of urgency and electricity in the air, going into the show. There were also rumours online that one of the big matches from Survivor Series would be changed. And the rumours, for once, actually came to pass.
AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan came to blows in the opening segment. This would lead to yet another match between the two men, that went on to become one of the better matches either man has had in recent times. There was a lot of working of the body parts, and each shot that was delivered actually meant something.
And now Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion and will go on to face Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series in what should be a thrilling contest. I cannot wait.
#1 Worst: No invasion from RAW
No, Paul Heyman's little cameo does not count as an invasion, really. Yes, it did play mind games with the top superstars in SmackDown Live, but does not qualify as a real invasion. The women of SmackDown Live invaded RAW last night. Wouldn't it make sense for RAW to seek retribution?
Doesn't RAW come off looking like the inferior brand, with this move? They look scared and cowed down by what SmackDown Live did to them. In fact, I wonder if one or more of the people in the stands felt disappointed too.
All said and done, it is just an obvious plot point that did not get addressed during the show. Maybe the security team was so competent, they kept RAW away.
Or maybe Constable Corbin decided that his merry men do not work on Tuesday nights.
#2 Best: Daniel Bryan goes heel
I know a lot of you will think I'm crazy. Bryan always gets a nice babyface reaction and the 'yes!' chants are always deafening. Why would I ever want such a man to turn heel?
In my opinion, this heel turn comes at the right time, when some of the sheen around Daniel Bryan was beginning to wear off. In recent times, The Miz has been behaving like a babyface and Bryan has been losing his temper, acting as a heel. As a heel Bryan can face so many new opponents, from Mysterio to Jeff Hardy to even changing the dynamics of his feud with Miz.
If nothing else, it just shakes things up for the future on the blue brand. And I'm always game for some amount of uncertainty in the content that I consume.
#2 Worst: Becky Lynch's injury
Becky Lynch is the hottest thing going in WWE right now. Even bruised and battered, she received a thunderous ovation from the WWE Universe. One can't help but shake one's head in dismay at Nia Jax for hurting Lynch, at this stage of her amazing WWE run (of course, it was an accident and accidents happen, but the timing is just tragic).
Charlotte Flair will be going up against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series. If you remember, this was the match touted to initially main event WrestleMania 35. Somehow, Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey just feels like a much bigger match at this stage of the game.
With the hug to Charlotte Flair, did Becky Lynch turn face too? It certainly did seem so and is a situation worth monitoring in weeks to come. Get well soon!
#3 Best: New Day vs. The Bar + The Big Show
The Bar takes on The AoP in a Champion vs. Champion match come Survivor Series. Ahead of that match, they were in a 6-man tag team match against The New Day. As one would expect, they had a pretty cool match.
This match had a very specific purpose in mind and I thought that was achieved, this week. The big idea was to showcase the fact that The Big Show can be a huge difference maker, even when he is not in a match. I personally thought that The Big Show picking up a big win for his team established this brilliantly.
The announcers made mention of the fact that Drake Maverick was on the outside for the AoP as well, but is he any match for The Big Show, really? I think not.
#3 Worst: Rollins vs. Nakamura
Rollins vs. Nakamura is a big deal and it's not being treated as such by the WWE brass. The two men are two exceptional performers and they will be meeting for the first time ever. Somehow, I expected more for a build for the contest. But they've only cut promos on one another on different shows, thus far.
Rollins has his own problems to deal with, featuring a certain Lunatic. Nakamura has been overlooked ever since he won his title. In a lot of ways, he does not even feel like an actual champion anymore, does he?
In my mind, this is the match that could potentially steal the show and needed to be treated as such. Especially considering the fact that Becky Lynch is off the PPV and she was the biggest draw, heading into the big event.
Poor oversight.
#4 Best/worst: Hardy defeats Andrade 'Cien' Almas
Remember when Andrade 'Cien' Almas was the hottest thing on SmackDown Live? He was putting on great matches and was touted to even win the Royal Rumble at one point. Shockingly that no longer seems to be the case, because Almas has fallen down the ranks. He lost clean to Jeff Hardy this week on SmackDown Live.
I understand why the loss happened. The Miz needed to pick a fifth member for his team and Hardy just seemed like the logical solution. But did Almas have to lose for that to take place?
There is no dearth of talent on the SmackDown Live brand who could have done the job for Jeff Hardy. Someone like R-Truth could have been used in this role, and excelled in it.
Does the Golden Goddess agree with my assessment?
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