6 things WWE SmackDown got right this week: Big E and Finn Balor team up; Becky Lynch lays out hometown star

WWE SmackDown had some good matches this week
WWE SmackDown had some good matches this week

After teasing Paul Heyman with the Money in the Bank briefcase on SmackDown for weeks, Big E won the WWE Championship from Bobby Lashley on RAW instead. But Roman Reigns and Heyman still had Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar to worry about on SmackDown.

Bianca Belair was ready to receive the key to her hometown from the Mayor of Knox County, Kane. Meanwhile, WWE finally booked a women’s match for this week’s SmackDown after overlooking the division for two weeks in a row.

Happy Corbin attacked Kevin Owens before their planned match on the episode. This angle could lead to a preshow bout between both superstars at WWE Extreme Rules. However, things are not looking too good for The Prizefighter.

Friday night had some good matches and great promos, and with that in mind, let's take a look at six things WWE got right on SmackDown this week.


#6. Finn Balor and Big E teamed up to win on WWE SmackDown

Universal Champion Roman Reigns kicked off the show with Paul Heyman and WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos by his side. The commentary team ran down what happened last week before Reigns took the mic.

The Tribal Chief asked Heyman to show the fans how to properly acknowledge him. Heyman exclaimed “Brock Lesnar fears Roman Reigns,” before Big E made his way out to the squared circle.

Fans greeted the new WWE Champion with thunderous applause, and Finn Balor joined him out on the stage soon after. This led to a non-title tag team match between The Usos and the team of Balor and Big E.

Big E started well and gave his old foes a tough time. The Prince also got the better of the twin brothers for the most part. The Usos, however, made a comeback as Jimmy wiped Balor out with a tope suicida. The two tried to isolate the former NXT Champion, but Balor eventually created separation and tagged Big E into the contest.

The WWE Champion went on a roll and executed some good moves. He hit Jimmy with the Big Ending for the victory.

This match kicked off SmackDown on the right foot and gave Big E and Finn Balor a chance to shine.

However, many argue that a regular version of Balor should not have been brought back before his upcoming match against Roman Reigns as The Demon.

#5. & #4. Rick Boogs continued to shine on WWE SmackDown; Apollo Crews entered the title picture again

Rick Boogs came out for another big match on WWE SmackDown. The newcomer was set to face former NXT Champion Robert Roode. Boogs came out with Shinsuke Nakamura, while Roode was accompanied by Dolph Ziggler.

Nakamura's ally used his strength to throw around Roode and dominate him. The heel mounted a comeback but could not stay on top for long. The guitar slinger ended the match with the Boogs Cruise to pick up another impressive win.

After the contest, Nakamura and Boogs celebrated alongside Pat McAfee. However, Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez came out of nowhere to attack the two men. They left the babyfaces in a heap and stomped on Nakamura’s crown.

Crews ended the segment with a promo and it looks like he is back in the Intercontinental Championship picture.

Both men could put on some decent matches in the weeks to come, with this year's Extreme Rules event seeming like an interesting stage for their potential showdown.

#3. Liv Morgan earned herself a match for Extreme Rules on WWE SmackDown

Liv Morgan and Toni Strom finally got themselves a match on WWE SmackDown. The two women took on Zelina Vega and Carmella in a tag team contest.

Things got ugly between Morgan and Carmella early, and The Most Beautiful Woman in All of WWE got knocked off the apron. She screamed in agony, claiming that she broke her nose.

Carmella refused to get back in the ring for the match, leading to a count-out finish. It was a really bad way to end the only women’s match on SmackDown after three weeks. Toni Storm, who is quite new to the blue brand, barely got any action.

After the match, Morgan grabbed a mic and said she was tired of Carmella running away. She then challenged the latter to a match at WWE Extreme Rules.

Later backstage, Carmella accepted the challenge and vowed to punish her rival. This was the only good development that came out of the entire segment.

However, it was good to see that Morgan got a pay-per-view match against a former SmackDown Women’s Champion. A win at Extreme Rules should hopefully lead to a big push for the fan favorite.

#2. Seth Rollins continued to build his character on WWE SmackDown

Seth Rollins defeated Edge at Madison Square Garden on WWE SmackDown last week. Not only did Rollins defeat the WWE Hall of Famer, but he took him out for good. Edge had to be stretchered away from the ring and taken away in an ambulance following a stomp from The Drip King.

This week, Rollins feigned remorse and asked the WWE Universe what they thought would happen. He blamed the fans and said they goaded him into doing what he did.

The former Universal Champion claimed he saw fear in Edge’s eyes and felt sorry for him. As a result, Rollins thought he had to finish off the WWE legend once and for all.

The Architect challenged The Rated-R Superstar to one final match between them to end things for good on SmackDown.

It's no secret that WWE has done well with the rivalry featuring Edge and Rollins.

Would you like to see a final match between both men at a big event like WWE Extreme Rules or Crown Jewel?

#1. Becky Lynch spoiled Bianca Belair's Homecoming on WWE SmackDown

WWE Hall of Famer and Mayor of Knox County, Kane, made his return to WWE SmackDown this week. The Big Red Machine got a great response from the crowd as he came out in a suit.

He welcomed Bianca Belair in front of her hometown crowd. The EST came out and vowed to win back the SmackDown Women’s Championship from Becky Lynch at WWE Extreme Rules.

She started singing a song, only for Lynch to interrupt her midway. The Man mocked the song and got in the ring. After a handshake turned to physicality, Lynch countered the Kiss Of Death to deliver the Manhandle Slam.

She left Bianca Belair in a heap in front of her hometown as the show came to a close. WWE is doing well to build the rivalry between The EST and The Man. Even Becky Lynch has gradually eased into her villainous role since returning at the SummerSlam pay-per-view.

Belair will likely fail to win back the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules. However, both women should get a longer match this time around.

Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE

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