5 things WWE got right on Smackdown Live this week

This week's episode of Smackdown Live was great, and that should come as no surprise to you as the blue brand's creative team manages to keep fans engaged for the entire runtime of the show. This week the entire blue brand felt important, as major revelations regarding the 2018 Summerslam match card were revealed, and boy those revelations made Smackdown's contribution to WWE's biggest show of the summer feel more significant than's Raw's effort on Monday night.

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So the question is, did Smackdown's episode this week contain flaws? That's entirely up to you and how you enjoyed the broadcast, but from a narrative standpoint, the creative team did make a few flaws here and there, but nothing truly terrible happened. Which now leaves the many things the blue brand's writing team got so right, and this resulted in an episode of wrestling where every wrestler was looking to impress.

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#1 Randy Orton's justifications

This is the stuff heels should be saying to justify their actions.

Randy Orton's promo last night on Smackdown Live could be summed up in one word- exceptional. The 12-time World Champion cut one of his best promos in almost ten years, as every single word that came out of Orton's mouth felt genuinely true.

Moreover, kudos to the creative team for putting Orton's promo at the start of the show, as the promo felt more impactful as it was the first words Orton spoke after a long-awaited heel turn, and it needed that attention from a fresh audience to truly resonate.

And when you listen to each thing Orton said in his promo, it felt like he was speaking the truth, as he started off his promo by right away addressing his crazy beatdown of Jeff Hardy, and going through the 'speculation' concerning his actions. Decade-old heat with Jeff Hardy, being ninth on the Smackdown top ten list were being struck off the list by Orton, as his real reason for trying to rip off Hardy's ear was the lack of respect the WWE Universe affords him. Now while that may sound like a typical heel thing to say, it had meaning, as Orton went on to say he has busted his ass for 16 years for the fans but they don't respect him.

Randy further went on to question why fans don't respect him, and this was the part of his fantastic promo that really cemented him as the top heel in the entire WWE. From throwing shade at managements top stars such as John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker to insulting the independent scene in such a way, only Orton could've believably pulled it off.

Orton concluded his speech by revealing a revelation, that discovery saw Randy proclaim he started off his career as "the legend killer" but now he is a legend, and the real; legend killers are the fans.

That analogy is quite true as fans over the years have halted certain legends careers to be honest, as one such example is Batista, who was rejected by the fans, which resulted in his comeback being a flop.

Orton says he won't let the fans do that to him, as will now destroy all of their favourites, and people if this promo did not at least make you appreciate the complexity of Orton's heel character, why are you even watching wrestling? As so many superstars turn heel for absurd reasons these days, but Orton's turn came with a solid explanation, perfect writing booking and perfect execution by Orton.

#2 Andrade "Cien" Almas and Rusev progress

A segment that worked from all angles.

While the match between Rusev and Andrade "Cien" Almas might have felt like a less than an enthralling idea to many, WWE took this match and maximized its potential. As there were so many clashing narratives and solid in-ring action at display in this amazing encounter between Almas and Rusev.

From Aiden English and Lana's clash with Zelina Vega to Almas picking up a much-needed win, WWE solved many puzzles at one go, by making smart booking decisions. As the decision to keep Almas' momentum rolling one week after losing to AJ Styles was necessary, raising the heat on Rusev's strained friendship with Aiden English was important and having Lana and Zelina Vega kick the crap out of each other was just plain fun.

This win sets up Almas as a legitimate force to be reckoned with in WWE, and as many have already predicted Almas will be WWE Champion one day, so its important WWE protects him.

While Rusev picking up another loss via English's distraction is stale at this point, it heightens the tension between these two partners. Moreover, this could lead to Rusev Day coming back stronger or Rusev going solo to find more success; it's a win-win people.

#3 James Ellsworth gets retrenched

You knew it was coming, James.

The firing of James Ellsworth on this week's episode of Smackdown Live might have been the funniest part of the show, as all people involved in this segment made it better than it should have been.

Ellsworth proverbially dug himself in a hole, when he interrupted the WWE Championship contract signing between GM Paige, AJ Styles, and the unnamed challenger. Claiming to be the ideal opponent for Styles at Summerslam due to his impressive track record against Styles over the years, Ellsworth was in full delusional mode, and it was hilarious to watch.

But after insulting the blue brand's GM, Paige decided to fire the chinless wonder from Smackdown Live finally, and she proceeded to kick him out of the building, literally. Now how this 'firing' pans out is a separate topic by itself, but this does let the blue brand's women's division start to build up without the constant insertion of Ellsworth, and it could mean come Summerslam, we could see a new Smackdown Live Women's Champion, and would be best for business.

#4 Becky gets one step closer

While Becky Balboa sounds like a terrible nickname, Lynch is all set to reclaim her Women's Title.

When the Smackdown Live Women's Title was introduced, fans may have criticised its generic design, but they knew that there was one superstar who was going to win that title-Becky Lynch. "The Irish lass-kicker" has been a down and out of luck babyface for her entire main roster career, and is surprising considering her amazing ability between the ropes.

Therefore, it was refreshing to see her pick up a big win on Smackdown Live this week, as she beat Smackdown Women's Champion Carmella clean to earn a shot at her title at Summerslam.

While this could mean Lynch won't win at the pay-per-view, as she has already defeated the champion in advance, WWE could prove us wrong and make the likeable babyface champion. As for now, all that matters is that Lynch is back on the right track, and that road could lead to championship gold.

#5 Samoa Joe is the number one contender

Wait, this isn't TNA?

If you told someone five years ago that AJ Styles and Samoa Joe could 'possibly' main event Summerslam, that person would probably call you crazy, but that was five years ago, and now the landscape of WWE has completely changed.

The two most iconic performers in TNA history will rekindle their rivalry at Summerslam when Samoa Joe takes on AJ Styles for the WWE Title, and WWE could not have got this anymore right.

As Joe is probably the most believable ass kicker in WWE today and Styles is arguably the best wrestler in the world today, and before we get too excited, it's hard to forget how WWE ran the AJ Styles-Shinsuke Nakamura dream match into the ground.

But the only difference between Nakamura and Joe is the latter's exceptional skill on the mic, as Joe's "tick-tock, champ" line after he signed the contract for the match was brilliant.

While WWE could've executed this segment better, Joe was the only viable option for Styles at Summerslam. And Smackdown Live creative team just earned themselves an easy build up to Summerslam with a dream feud like Styles vs Joe headlining their portion of the match card.