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From Rey Mysterio and Andrade displaying their excellent in-ring chemistry, to Randy Orton standing tall at the end of the show, this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Live (22 January 2019) featured a lot of contrasting moments indeed.
Just like this week's RAW, SmackDown Live felt less grand than previous episodes in recent memory. The plot points were covered for feuds that mattered the most, and even if it wasn't a bad episode as a whole, one would expect the show to be more newsworthy, given the fact that the Royal Rumble takes place this Sunday.
With that said, lets take a look at some interesting observations you may have missed during this week's edition of SmackDown Live.
#3 What happened to the US title feud?
One would expect things to kick into full-gear since the Royal Rumble Pay Per View is taking place this Sunday.
Unfortunately, the United States Championship scenario seems to be at the bottom of the list of WWE's priorities. Neither men, Shinsuke Nakamura or Rusev, were featured on the show last night.
What makes things even worse is that later on WWE announced that Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura would battle it out for the title on the kickoff show at the Royal Rumble. The title's relevancy is not what it used to be.
This also shows that handing the championship to a popular superstar does not yield magical results if the writers don't put effort when it comes to US title feuds in general.
What do you think about Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura being snubbed off a main card match-up at the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View, let alone a go-home segment before the big event itself?
#2 The Miz has mastered the art of portraying a 'babyface' and a 'heel' at the same time
The Miz has had an interesting character arc lately. From being one of the most pompous and self-centered superstars of all time, 'The A-Lister' has now become a fan favorite by teaming up with Shane McMahon after the former supposedly turned over a new leaf.
Some might even say that The Miz has perfected the art of being successful as a heel and as a babyface on separate occasions.
But what if he is playing both at the same time?
At first glance, this situation depicts The Miz as a babyface. But when we delve deeper into his character's intentions, things start to make more sense.
The Miz is great at putting on an act. Now that Maryse, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas are not by his side, The A-Lister had to lean towards a new plan. The relationship between Shane and Miz wasn't always cheerful.
So if someone were to compile highlights covering The Miz's journey from important plot points such as Crown Jewel and Survivor Series right to the current scenario, it becomes obvious that The Miz is using Shane McMahon to his benefit.
But somehow, people love him for it. Either The Miz is too good at putting on acts, or everyone involved with this arc has done a good job in making the fans buy into this storyline.
Even better yet, maybe some people haven't even realized his character's double intentions at this point in time.
Things will be revealed in due time, but until then, The Miz may continue to grace us with his 'Awesomeness'.
#1 Daniel Bryan is the most complex SmackDown Live Superstar currently
"Vince, of course, you don't wanna listen to this, because you and the entire Baby Boomer generation are the great parasites of this world..." - Daniel Bryan
What sets Daniel Bryan apart from the rest of the current SmackDown Live roster is that Bryan has used his character's intentions as a babyface, harnessing them to mould his image as a sombre WWE Champion.
Daniel Bryan is vegan in real-life, and while that seemed like a genuine character trait when he was a babyface, nobody would have thought that Bryan would use the same idea to portray a much darker image of consumerism and the ill-effects of humanity's abuse towards planet Earth.
As Bryan said, he is not the "People's Champion". The former leader of the 'YES' Movement represents the Earth, and therefore, as stated by the WWE Champion last night, he is the "Planet's Champion".
While that may sound absurd on paper, Bryan's presentation on live television, as well as the context surrounding the entire segment makes it work. So whenever Daniel Bryan gets booed while expressing his character's views, it is important to reflect back on his words later on, because it is then a fan realizes there is a broader truth to what the NEW Daniel Bryan stands for.
Thanks for reading this article, please share it to spread the word. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more.
