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#4 Triple H gets pinned in the first spot by one of ‘his’ NXT graduates
SPOILER ALERT for anyone that hasn’t yet watched the show: Triple H was one of two survivors in the main event (the other being Braun Strowman). I know it’s a confusing concept to understand, but for some strange reason, Triple H is still main-eventing matches and winning them in 2017, despite his status as a part-timer being fully entrenched.
Meanwhile, both Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode were the first two men eliminated, despite being the most recent additions to the SmackDown roster. While their eliminations sort of made sense given that they were both destroyed by Braun Strowman, it still didn’t make sense for the younger and healthier ‘rookies’ to lose so early compared to the likes of Triple H, Shane, and Angle.
What would’ve made much more sense (and would’ve also been more entertaining) is if either Nakamura or Roode fought Triple H and pinned him cleanly without shenanigans. Not only would that have been a surprise elimination that the audience might not have expected, but it would’ve done wonders for either man’s reputation. Triple H is a part-timer whose status in WWE is legendary at this point, so he can afford to lose once in a while (especially to one of his NXT graduates).
If these elimination matches are meant to act as metaphorical launching pads for the careers of newer stars, then this match clearly missed the mark with both Roode and Nakamura being eliminated without getting the chance to show off their own skills in a big match.
