'%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 SmackDown Live was the last chance the brand had to build on feuds going into the Backlash PPV this Sunday. WWE did make sure that the heels looked strong going into the PPV with Superstars like Shinsuke Nakamura and Big Cass getting the last laugh over their opponents.
The show had a very strong main event that didn't disappoint with Charlotte proving why she is the Queen of WWE, The Miz held a very entertaining segment of Miz TV with Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton as guests, Big Cass proved that he can hold his own when it comes to mic skills and the best of them all was the RKO out of nowhere on Jeff Hardy.
However, while the show hit the right spots on most occasions, there were a few segments or bookings that could have gone the other way or just shouldn't have happened.
#5 Rusev Day breaking up?
In a backstage segment, while Rusev and English were about to rehearse a song for the Rusev Day theme, Lana interrupted them.
While Aiden English being the gentleman he is, excused himself so that the couple could speak privately, Lana pointed out that though Rusev Day is bigger than ever, Rusev lost his match at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
She told him that something was holding him back and hinted at English being that "something".
Does this mean Rusev Day could be breaking up? The WWE Universe would hope it isn't. the Rusev Day gimmick is working so well for Rusev and English that the duo is over with the crowd with what is supposed to be a heel team.
Breaking them up would not only devoid the fans of its beloved team but also would kill the momentum Rusev is receiving.
The break up would mean that Rusev will most probably turn into a heel by sending English off. Being a part of Rusev Day is probably the most relevant role that Aiden English has had since his debut.
Sending these men in their separate ways would only mean the end of English and probably the end of a fun-loving Rusev.
#4 Sheamus losing
Sheamus had his first match on SmackDown Live since his jump from RAW this week. While backstage, Sheamus and Cesaro were reading their new SmackDown Live contracts and had a run in with The New Day. Sheamus later challenged Xavier Woods to a match.
While Seamus looked strong, he lost to Woods clean and was quite shocked. Sheamus may have underestimated Woods and he paid the price for it.
Woods picking up the win might help him but as of now most of the Superstars who have jumped ship have on been losing on their new brand.
Good examples for this are Jinder Mahal, Bobby Roode and now Sheamus.
Losing in your first appearance in your new workplace doesn't seem like a good start but here's hoping that the "shaken" up Superstars get on winning ways quickly.
#3 Daniel Bryan missing on the show
Daniel Bryan seemed to be missing in action on this week's episode of SmackDown Live and hence we missed out on a confrontation between Cass and Bryan on the go home show before their face off at Backlash.
Cass came out and delivered a pretty good promo but then what ruined the segment was Cass hiring a local talent to make a mockery of Daniel Bryan.
This move really pulled the promo down and nobody really enjoyed Cass' segment after the actor playing Bryan made his way to the ring.
While Bryan didn't interrupt the Cass segment, he wrestled in dark match after 205 Live in which he picked up the win against Nakamura.
Bryan could have caused a distraction while Cass was beating on the hired actor allowing the actor to possibly low blow Cass and escape.
This could have been a better booking heading into Backlash and would have added life to the disinterested crowd.
#2 Absolution is dead
The night after Paige retired on RAW, she showed up as the GM of SmackDown Live the very next night. The week after Paige was made GM, the rest of her team jumped ship and headed to the blue brand.
This week was the first time we saw Absolution together since the Superstar Shake-Up.
During their reunion, while Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were expecting either of them to get a shot at the Women's Title, Paige surprised them by saying that she can't be pulling strings for them and that they had to earn their shot like everyone else on the roster.
Paige even went on to say that Absolution was dead.
Paige could have played the role of a heel GM with ease. it has been really long since we've seen a heel GM running the show and having favourites.
This could have been the best moment to pull the trigger on this idea and also bring much-needed attention to the Women's Division.
#1 Nakamura getting the better of Styles... Again
Ever since his heel turn at WrestleMania, Nakamura has been getting the better of Styles (no pun intended) every week.
Nakamura has always blindsided Styles and low blown him at every opportunity. While the low blow is a move that is used by heels and its use proves that the Superstar has turned heel, Nakamura has been overusing it.
Earlier on in the show, Paige announced that the match between Styles and Nakamura at Backlash would be a no DQ match.
Introducing this stipulation made the odds even for Styles and it could have paid dividends if Nakamura was on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown by Styles. Or Styles could have surprised Nakamura with a low blow just to give him a taste of his own medicine.
