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WWE is no Cinderella story, and as CM Punk once said during Raw's strike; "this is professional wrestling, this ain't baile." The company tried everything to make sure that this week's anticipated Superstar Shake-up provides enough entertainment for the WWE Universe.
The creative team was quick enough to match the requirements and did stir up the roster, but it seems like the company was still not able to be at par this week. With so much on the line, we list down what WWE did right, and what didn't & what went well for the company and fans as well:
#1 Did Right: The Phenomenal Switch
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AJ Styles is a powerful performer and is the wrestler that built SmackDown Live. With his entry to the flagship show, it wouldn't be too long before he gets into a feud with a performer that can match his skills.
It would be nice to see him fight for the Universal Championship. With Seth and Styles being a master inside the ring, the match will be a treat for fans and also WWE because they can bank on this.
#1 Did Wrong: Gold didn't glitter, Glow did
When you have champions in the ring, you would want them to win, so that they can raise the stakes of the title, but if the champions get pinned, and that too three of them in one show, something isn't right. This is with regards to the Women's Tag Team Champions, Intercontinental Champion, and the Raw Tag Team Champions.
This is not a good way to make champions look good, because as champions, they are above the competition, and should be treated that way.
While it did seem like the new team on SmackDown will be impactful, it is just a guess, and we would have to see how they perform inside the ring as time rolls on.
#2 Did Right: Paige and Team Returns
Paige deserves all the credit for her amazing performance inside the ring, but ever since she was removed from active in-ring competition, the performer has performed well in a managerial role too. With the McMahon clan in charge, she was nowhere to be found, until she announced the surprise tag team this week.
The team of Asuka and Kairi Sane is a good one because they have their respective style, and the quality of their performance can be understood by SmackDown and NXT Fans.
#2 Did Wrong: Pancake Challenge from a WWE Champion
The WWE Universe didn't back Kofi Kingston so that he could issue pancake challenges to Kevin Owens or ask the Canadian to twerk in his own country. The champion should be worth the time in the ring and also get respective challenges, which wasn't the case with Kofi this week.
#3 Did Right: Welcome to The Usos Penitentiary
The Usos have put forth commendable performances against the likes of The New Day and The Hardy Boyz. After the performance over the weeks, and losing the SmackDown Tag Team Titles last week to Jeff and Matt Hardy it looked like the team was headed to Raw.
The company did the right thing by bringing them to the flagship show, as Raw's tag team division saw a dip over the past few months. It would be nice to see them raise the stakes of the title and the division in months to come.
#3 Did Wrong: The Viking Experience
Why the company decide to rename War Raiders to The Viking Experience, is open to anyone's guess, but it wasn't received well by the WWE Universe. The names were not worth the gimmick and the backlash the company received during and after Raw confirms that not everything works well for every character.
#4 Did Right: Lacey Evans wins the championship contender match
Lacey Evans is talented, and critical to say the least. Her character talks about being nasty, and this week Natalya got the first taste in what the classy lady from NXT can do in the ring. Her moonsault was received well by the WWE Universe, and this also proves that if given the opportunity, Lacey can give anyone a hard time between the ropes.
After all, defeating a veteran fair and square in the ring adds more value to the character and the performers skills.
#4 Did Wrong: Braun Strowman destroys EC3
Either EC3 rubbed some senior official the wrong way, or the company doesn't take the talents of EC3 well, because the performer was beaten heavily by the 'Monster Among Men' Braun Strowman. While this sounds bad, it could be the buildup that EC3 needs, but we hope that it doesn't go off hand, and diminishes the charisma of EC3.
#5 Did Right: Roman Reigns on SmackDown Live
Roman Reigns is the blue-eyed boy for the company, and the company is promoting him the same way. In an attempt to make him worthwhile, Vince McMahon took the punch during his first time on Tuesday nights.
It's no secret that Vince can make any character or wrestler because it was his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin that not only made the Texas Rattlesnake a household name but also helped the company take over its competiton.
#5 Did Wrong: Surprise, it's Elias
While this may not sound right to some, Elias is one performer that deserves his own segment, because the wrestler can cut the same promo every week and still be relevant. Him being involved in a storyline involving Vince McMahon and Roman Reigns doesn't seem good. The company had better options and should have addressed this segment in a different manner.
