'%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)
This week's episode of WWE SmackDown Live is done and dusted, and it was truly one to remember. We saw a truly epic WrestleMania rematch with two of the show's top stars, as well as some very interesting scenes featuring Shane McMahon.
With TLC looming, the men and women of team Blue certainly wanted to make an impression, with the pay per view promising some epic matches from SmackDown Live Superstars, who will no doubt be hoping to overshadow their RAW counterparts.
Now on the road to Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, the pay per view is the last chance for the superstars to dominate on pay per view in 2018, before the Royal Rumble next month, and the road to WrestleMania 35.
Here are three things the WWE got spot on in the latest episode of WWE SmackDown Live, as well as two things which could've been a whole lot better.
#3 Got Right: The Empress is left standing
The WWE Universe are just days away from seeing the first ever Women's TLC match, when three of SmackDown's top Superstars battle for the coveted Women's Championship.
But this week, Charlotte Flair and Asuka competed in a hard-fought match, a rematch of their WrestleMania encounter, which saw Flair end Asuka's undefeated streak.
Learning from her past mistakes, Asuka struck hard and fast, and surely would've won clean, if not due to the interference of Becky Lynch.
It was the Japanese sensation that had the last laugh though, as she unleashed a vicious kendo stick attack on both of her opponents.
She may have been the dark horse in Sunday's TLC match, but after tonight, we may be looking at the next SmackDown Women's Champion.
#2 Got It Wrong: The Bar cringe their way through SmackDown
Comedy is very subjective, and what works for some people, may not be to everyone's taste.
This week, the Bar tried to flex their comedy muscles, performing a rap battle, as Sheamus and Cesaro tried to prove themselves on the mic.
Unfortunately, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions' efforts to be street fell flat, as the segment was very cringeworthy.
That's not to say neither man can be funny, as the WWE Universe has seen both men get genuine laughs from the crowd in the past.
But, it seems 9/10 of WWE's attempts to be intentionally funny, fail, with that 10% of actually funny stuff being few and far between (looking at you Dr. Shelby).
Hopefully, the Europeans won't be entering any rap battles, any time soon.
#2 Got It Right: Rusev makes claims to the United States Championship
As a former two-time United States Champion, 2018 has been an interesting year for Rusev, who is still massively popular with Rusev Day, as well as shots at the US and WWE Championship.
But two weeks ago, things took a turn for the worse for the Bulgarian Brute, who was attacked by US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura before their match.
On SmackDown Live this week though, Rusev got some serious payback, as he pinned Nakamura in tag team action, something that must've angered the founder of Nak-America.
As these two continue to escalate, the WWE Universe should expect the Bulgarian to get a shot at the gold he last held in 2016 very soon.
Could 2019 be a Rusev Year, as we see him become United States Champion for the third time?
#1 Got It Wrong: What's next for Shane and Miz?
Ever since Crown Jewel, SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon and The Miz have been going back and forth, in their slow-burning feud that started when McMahon became 'the best in the world'.
But now, nearly two months after the Riyadh pay per view, the two are yet to come to serious blows, as they continue to team together weekly on team blue.
Whilst I enjoy a slow burning feud as much as the next person, I feel this week that the pair were just going through the motions, as they defeated the Vegas brothers in tag team action.
Hopefully, the pair will be able to develop some more in the coming weeks, perhaps leading to a pay per view match at the upcoming Royal Rumble in January.
#1 Best: 205 Live Superstar makes a big debut
This week, Daniel Bryan continued his villainous ways, chastising the WWE Universe for their way of living.
But instead of seeing his TLC opponent AJ Styles enter the fray, it was instead Mustafa Ali, a one-time admirer of Bryan who confronted the former YES! man.
In an incredible debut for the 205 Live star, Ali held his own with Bryan, who wasn't even intending to have the match at all, no doubt fearing an injury before his huge title match this Sunday.
After being goaded into the match from the former Police officer, Bryan and Ali went back and forth, though in the end it was Bryan with a heel hook, that secured the win.
No doubt feeling sure of himself with this win, expect a very confident Bryan at TLC.
