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So, I know that a lot of people are quite upset by what happened this week on SmackDown Live. Here's what I have to say about the same. I thought it was a pretty good episode of SmackDown Live. In fact, I thought that there was a lot more that I liked about the show than I disliked.
I liked the fact that there was a narrative running through the show, that was addressed by nearly every performer. I liked the fact that there was heat and anticipation coming into the episode as well. I had a chance to interview Kofi Kingston last night, and the amount of excitement across the board from the media calling in was amazing.
It truly is KofiMania season and I can't wait to see how it all plays out. This week's episode of SmackDown Live was a very important step in WWE history.
I'm sure it'll be remembered and recalled for many years.
#1 Best: Kofi Kingston's Iron man performance
They say that the first time is the charm. While the second gauntlet match may not have been as exciting as thrilling as the first one was, it was still a pretty good match all around.
Kudos to Kofi Kingston for wrestling as long as he did. Kingston hung in there with some of the best in the world for nearly an hour and he's no spring chicken currently.
Kofi Kingston has said on multiple occasions that being a WWE Superstar is all he wanted to do. Not only is he living his dream, but he's excelling at it. And the fact that the crowd cares just makes this moment all the more special.
Anyone who's watched WWE for any length of time knows that Kingston is certainly heading to WrestleMania 35.
#1 Worst: Pinning the US Champion
Even if it is just a non-title match, I'm not the biggest fan of Champions getting pinned. I know that Samoa Joe had to be pinned for the story to have been told. But I think this spot could have easily gone to Rusev or Nakamura instead. Both of those men have been at odds with The New Day for a long time now.
I mean think about it, guys. Rey Mysterio and Samoa Joe are set to lock horns at WrestleMania 35 and you have your Champion pinned by a man who's been through multiple opponents before that on SmackDown Live. So how does one circumvent this situation, you ask?
The answer is quite simple if you think about it. Have Samoa Joe enter the match first and lose to a fresh Kofi Kingston.
But maybe WWE does not think Joe getting pinned is an issue.
#2 Best: The Miz turns babyface at last
Not long ago, Shane McMahon shocked the world when he turned on The Miz, also attacking the A-Lister's father who was seated at ringside. Thereafter, he locked in the sloppiest looking armbar that mankind has ever seen. But more importantly, he cut a promo establishing himself firmly as a heel.
The Miz responded with fire and intensity and left no doubt in anyone's mind that he's gone fully babyface now. The WWE Universe has grown to love and respect The Miz for everything he has accomplished in his career and also for his sheer longevity in the business. And this is why the time was rife for The Miz to finally turn babyface at long last.
I thought that the promo he cut on this week's show hit all the right points home. I am quite excited to see where the storyline goes from here on in.
#2 Worst: Where is Asuka?
I find it really funny that the RAW Women's Championship is the center of attention on both RAW and SmackDown Live. Does anyone care about Asuka or her Championship anymore? And this is again, no fault of Asuka's because she's been doing her job to the best of her ability, putting on some great matches with all of her opponents.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair appeared on the Kevin Owens Show this week. I think this spot should have gone to Asuka and Mandy Rose instead because nothing new was said during this segment. It was just a means to kill time until the gauntlet match actually came around in the main event.
WWE does not have superstars anymore and one primary reason is because of the extremely bloated roster and the lack of opportunities. When your champion cannot get on the show, it's a crying shame.
#3 Best: Yet another challenge
So, here is the one controversial point from my list. I thought it was a really good call to have Kofi Kingston lose the gauntlet match and be pinned by Daniel Bryan.
No, I have not lost my marbles, so I just want you to hear me out for a second. Look at the Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair situation for a second, which had a lot of heat as long as Becky's place at WrestleMania was not confirmed in storyline.
But now that it is, all of their interactions and altercations just feel like filler...a means to get to WrestleMania 35 where the next chapter of their story will be written. I like that there's still intrigue and excitement around the WWE Championship picture and to be honest, there wasn't a lot of this when AJ Styles was the champion.
Plus, we all know that Kofi Kingston is definitely going to WrestleMania.
#3 Worst: The wrong theme song gets played
Kofi Kingston was on top of the world albeit a little exhausted. He had just vanquished both members of The Bar in singles action, which just happens to be one of the toughest acts in the sports entertainment industry.
And then Erick Rowan, the former Bludgeon Brother, strode out to vanquish Daniel Bryan, armored in the official merchandise of the German thrash metal band, Kreator. Only, the guy manning the music must have forgotten that Rowan is no longer a Bludgeon Brother, because he played the Bludgeon Brothers theme song by mistake.
While this is not really something to grumble about, I just thought that this was a strange botch considering how thorough and professional WWE is. Maybe Rowan asked for this heavy metal theme song to be made his official entrance music.
Let's hope it was a conscious decision and not a botch.
#4 Best/worst: Sasha and Bayley get pinned
Sasha Banks and Bayley made mention of the fact that they will show up on just about any brand to defend their prized titles. They even showed up on NXT not long ago, to issue a challenge. This week, they took on The IIconics in what was a pretty interesting non-title contest, I thought. Especially so, because they ended up on the losing side.
I don't like the champions getting pinned, usually. But this was probably done to set up a title match, where the audience actually perceives The IIconics as a threat to the reigning champions. And this is why I think I am cool with the idea of Sasha and Bayley losing.
Do I think that Kay and Royce will be tag team champions anytime soon? The honest answer is no.
But I see this glamorous woman capturing the belt very soon enough:
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
