'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE SmackDown Live might have taken a step back this week. It was decent, but not what one would have expected. I am not being very critical here, but the fact that it just did not live up to expectations is somewhat disappointing.
Each episode feels like it is gearing up for more action in the next one, and I am scared it won't live up to the hype. In case it does, SmackDown promises great storylines heading into Hell in a Cell.
SmackDown Live announced an inside the cage match between Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton in what promises to be a breathtaking affair. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy have made their feud look really personal.
While there is a bit of skepticism behind Jeff Hardy performing to his best considering his injuries, a Swanton Bomb from the cage should be a certainty. Randy Orton, on the other hand, will look to ensure that his matches aren't all about RKO's.
Some other highlights include, Samoa Joe getting really personal with AJ Styles, as he phone called his wife live during the show. Samoa Joe has the ability to make a feud look real, and both superstars have nailed this storyline in the best possible manner.
That being said, let's discuss 3 things that went wrong in the recently concluded episode of SmackDown Live.
#1 The Miz should let wrestlers complete their match
Daniel Bryan faced off against Andrade Cien Almas in a breathtaking match which saw great conviction from both wrestlers. Daniel Bryan looked his best after having returned, and ensured an amazing bout between the two talented wrestlers.
This couldn't go on for too long as The Miz interfered mid-match. I get it, he is a heel and has to do things which takes the audience away from him, but SmackDown already has very few matches in its bucket. A no result match in a list already short of matches is sad.
#2 Throw Rusev back in single's division
While the idea of teaming Rusev and Aiden English back in the Tag-Team Division is great, it takes so much away from the babyface wrestler. The Aiden English arc that was growing for months, and his feud with Andrade Cien Almas was fetching great crowd reaction.
Both are talented wrestlers who could have taken their feud to a PPV. It will be very difficult to bring back Rusev if the duo don't end up winning the Tag-Team Championship (which looks really unlikely).
#3 Too many promos
SmackDown Live is a two-hour show which could only deliver three great matches in its entire run in the last episode. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles, The Miz and Daniel Bryan, Charlotte and Becky Lynch, were all involved in promos leading to their bouts at Hell in a Cell.
While it's understood that all these wrestlers are doing exceedingly well and living up to the hype of their feuds, Hell in a Cell is still far far away. In the coming weeks, one would hope to see these wrestlers do more wrestling than talking on a mic.
