5 takeaways from this week's Smackdown Live

WWE finished yet another decent episode of Smackdown Live, as the build to Survivor Series continues. Smackdown still has over four weeks left, and no PPVs are scheduled in between, so this week's episode felt mostly like a filler segment.

There were no significant storyline advancements, and booking of the superstars in the lead up to the Survivor Series is still unclear. There were no announcements made regarding the traditional survivor series matches. However, the WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal, issued a major challenge to the Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar.

We look at five significant talking points from this week's episode of the blue brand.

---

# 5 Daniel Bryan humiliated

Sami doesn't want to become like Bryan

Sami Zayn turned heel at Hell in a Cell, and since then his character seems to have gone through a refreshing and a welcome change. His brotherhood with Kevin Owens is the main talking point every week and these two eternal rivals turned best friends are tearing it up on Smackdown Live.

Sami and Owens went on a rant against Daniel Bryan in the opening segment of the episode, humiliating the Smackdown Live GM. The sight of Sami Zayn destroying the man, who the "Underdog from the Underground" was touted to replace, was beautiful.

Sami and Owens together look set to establish themselves as a prominent threat in Smackdown Live, and a verbal assault against Daniel Bryan in his hometown was a splendid heel move on their part.

#4 Fifty-Fifty booking

Not a Glorious Faceoff

A significant problem that the fans have with the WWE system is their fifty-fifty booking system. Majority of the feuds have to endure through this nonsensical booking so that feuds get prolonged unnecessarily. Ziggler and Roode are in the midst of a relatively dull rivalry, which is not doing any favours for both of them.

Roode was a top superstar in NXT before moving onto Smackdown Live, and his arrival was met with a thunderous response from the WWE Universe. However, just like Nakamura before, Roode got stuck in a feud with Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler of late hasn't been relevant to the WWE Universe and sticking two main-event talents in the form of Roode and Nakamura alongside "The Showoff" was not a wise decision.

A 1-1 scoreline in this rivalry means the feud will continue for at least another match, and the WWE Universe will not be thrilled to see this feud continue.

#3 No direction determined for top superstars

The Viper has no one to bite

Shinsuke Nakamura lost to Jinder Mahal at WWE Hell in a Cell, his second successive loss in as many PPVs. This was the first time Nakamura lost a match clean on the main roster, and the fans were justifiably unhappy with the decision. Orton defeated Rusev yet again, and this decision also wasn't met with enthusiasm with the fans.

Orton and Nakamura along with Rusev, are currently not involved in any storylines, having one-off matches and random backstage segments. This is not a sensible decision on WWE's part as both Orton and Nakamura are main-event level talents and should be appropriately utilized.

Rusev has become a victim of nonsensical booking yet again in his career, and WWE needs to revitalize the Bulgarian Brute, who has all the tools to become the top superstar on SDL.

#2 Styles back in the main event picture.

The Phenomenal One vs The Modern Day Maharaja could be epic

AJ Styles won the WWE Championship last year, and the following few months of his reign were some of the best moments in WWE programming of 2016. AJ Styles produced fantastic matches consistently and also performed brilliantly in his promos, looking like a legitimate top guy in the company.

Ever since his defeat at Royal Rumble, Styles shifted to the upper mid-card and flourished over there as well. He lost the US championship to Corbin and WWE has made a correct decision to push him back where he belongs, WWE Championship picture.

Mahal vs Styles is going to be a great feud if given proper booking, as Styles is a superstar capable of making anyone look like a million bucks in his matches. Mahal could use some of that to make his faltering championship run worthwhile.

#1 The Beast vs Maharaja

What will the Beast have to say next week?

Jinder Mahal before being interrupted by Styles issued a substantial challenge to the top champion of RAW, Brock Lesnar. A year ago no one would have imagined Brock Lesnar facing a low-level talent like Jinder Mahal, but this could become a reality at Survivor Series.

Brock Lesnar has been absent from WWE television since No Mercy and questions were being asked about the Beast's next opponent. A battle between the two champions could be a big talking point for WWE, and their expansion to India could receive a considerable boost.

Jinder Mahal, if booked dominantly in his matchup against Lesnar, could become an overnight sensation and become a trending topic worldwide.

WWE needs to play its cards correctly with this rivalry. With the Beast returning next week, expect a major announcement soon.