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A lot was riding on the final episode of SmackDown before the Survivor Series PPV. Go-home shows are always important as the final touches are applied to all the top angles. Considered to be one of the 'Big 4', Survivor Series might have lost some sheen in recent years, but it's still a PPV that has lineage and a history that needs to be respected and built upon.
WWE offered the last episode of SmackDown before Survivor Series 2020 to increase the hype heading into the PPV this Sunday. The first hour failed to achieve that goal as the booking decisions were downright puzzling and illogical on many different levels. Business thankfully picked up with Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns' contract segment.
WWE provided several hints about what to expect at Survivor Series and after the PPV regarding SmackDown's Superstars and storylines.
We unpack all the subtle hints that the company dropped on the latest episode of SmackDown.
#1 Did WWE tease a Survivor Series segment featuring The Undertaker and Sami Zayn on SmackDown?
All the focus is on The Undertaker's final farewell at Survivor Series. It will undoubtedly be a star-studded affair with many legendary personalities scheduled to grace the special occasion with their presence.
However, WWE would surely have a big segment planned for The Undertaker in which he can deliver one final Tombstone, or maybe more. It just needs to happen to cap off what is expected to be an emotional and nostalgic night for the Deadman and his fans.
Sami Zayn could very well be the guy to do the job.
The reigning Intercontinental Champion addressed the incident when the Undertaker attacked him on the SmackDown episode at the MSG in September last year. Zayn remembers, and he made it a point to send a message to The Undertaker.
There is also an alarming pattern with Sami Zayn's booking. The IC Champion took the pin in tonight's 8-man tag team match, and he is also the favorite to get squashed as the hands of Bobby Lashley at Survivor Series. Zayn is on a downward spiral of losses and pins, and he might be the scapegoat at Survivor Series.
Sami Zayn's obnoxious character is made for segments in which he gets a sound beating. You might be going - hasn't WWE already booked an Undertaker-Zayn segment before? They have, but it can be different this time, with the inclusion of other legendary names who have been close to The Undertaker throughout his career.
#2 Does WWE actually value the Intercontinental Championship and its holder on SmackDown?
We continue in the same vein as the last point. Sami Zayn being booked to take the pin in a match that also had Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode on the latest SmackDown episode is a troubling sign. Zayn is the Intercontinental Champion, and he has not had a credible moment since winning the title in a typically underhanded manner. Bobby Lashley will destroy him at Survivor Series, and that's more of a spoiler than a prediction at this point.
WWE has also not put in any effort to make the Intercontinental Champion seem like he has a shot at taking down Bobby Lashley. Of course, Zayn would have a few tricks up his sleeve, but The Hurt Business members will have Lashley's back.
It all comes down to WWE's perception of the Intercontinental title. Chris Jericho had revealed not too long ago that Vince McMahon legitimately feels that no one cares about the Intercontinental Championship.
The one positive takeaway from SmackDown was the teaser of a future storyline between Sami Zayn and Daniel Bryan, which should ideally be for the title on SmackDown.
Sami Zayn currently has a great character, and the Champion has mastered the art of being an annoying heel. However, wins and losses and the general creative presentation of a Superstar also plays a significant role. Thus far, the booking is hurting Sami Zayn and the IC title.
#3 WWE planted the seeds for the Bayley-Bianca Belair dream feud on SmackDown
Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks is inarguably the biggest dream feud from the current crop of talent on SmackDown, but for many fans, a storyline with Bayley can also be clubbed in the same bracket.
Bayley was announced as a member of the SmackDown Women's team, and The Role Model was at the commentary table during Natalya and Tamina's qualifying match. Bianca Belair was on the other end with the headset on, and it was pretty much the beginning of an angle between the two.
Belair and Bayley are the two biggest stars on Team SmackDown, and their egos will clash during the match, potentially leading to a post-Survivor Series angle.
Belair is destined to cross paths with Sasha Banks someday, but that can't and shouldn't happen until she gets through The Boss' former best friend.
Sasha Banks will have her hands full with Carmella after Survivor Series, and Bayley, in the meantime, can help raise Bianca Belair's stock as a top-tier performer on SmackDown.
Bianca Belair is the future of the SmackDown Women's division, and a storyline with Bayley should cement her position on the brand as he approach WrestleMania season.
#4 WWE made it clear that Roman Reigns is the more prominent World Champion on SmackDown
The contract signing was the best segment on an otherwise lackluster go-home episode of SmackDown.
Drew McIntyre showed up on the Blue brand fresh off his WWE title win, and he looked focussed on the task at hand, and that was to one-up Roman Reigns.
The Tribal Chief, however, was at his A-game. Roman Reigns took his own sweet time as he slowly marched towards the ring in a commanding fashion. Adam Pearce got up to give his seat to the Universal Champion, and Roman Reigns' authoritative demeanor made him look like a Superstar of a different caliber.
The segment was inherently designed to make Drew McIntyre look like the weaker champion between the two heading into Survivor Series. The Scottish Psychopath looked like a million bucks with the Claymore sword, Kilt, grand entrance on RAW, but he was clearly booked to be the underdog here on SmackDown.
Roman Reigns' measured, cold and egotistical promo delivery was matched by McIntyre's unwavering willpower to be known as one of the best and on the same level as his SmackDown counterpart.
There were times during the segment in which Roman Reigns outshined Drew McIntyre, and that's where the problem lies. Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre is probably the only match worth watching from the Survivor Series card, and both Champions look great when standing toe to toe. However, Roman Reigns is just on a different level right now, and it showed on SmackDown.
WWE should find a way to protect both Champions at Survivor Series, and I'm sure many fans wouldn't mind seeing McIntyre and Reigns meet again in time for WrestleMania in a proper high-stakes match.
#5 WWE has still not given up on Otis on SmackDown; possible reason why Big E was not picked
One of the biggest rumors heading into this week's SmackDown was about the plan for Big E to be the fifth member of Team SmackDown.
However, as reported first by Fightful Select, the plan was changed this afternoon, and WWE instead went ahead and handed the spot to Otis.
Yes, the same Otis who lost to Seth Rollins a couple of weeks ago. A win against Dolph Ziggler last week helped restore some credibility, but it's the Showoff we're talking about here.
Otis' WWE push seemed dead in the water when he lost the MITB briefcase to The Miz. His alliances with Tucker and Mandy Rose were also nixed, and Otis was in a creative limbo. The WWE Management, though, still does have faith in Otis as a performer as the company has paired him with the uberly talented Chad Gable.
The Men's SmackDown Survivor Series team looks pale compared to the RAW lineup, and the men in blue are most likely set to take the loss at the PPV. Otis' inclusion in the match is an interesting one as WWE could have picked Big E and booked the former New Day member to put on a star-making performance.
The fact that WWE went ahead with Otis hints towards a possible plan for the former MITB holder.
The other possible reason why WWE might have chosen to go with Otis would be to protect Big E. The long-term plan is for Big E to be the top singles star on SmackDown, and the WWE is playing it safe and slow with his singles push. Being on the losing end of Team SmackDown might do him no good, and at this point, the fans would have to be patient about WWE's direction for Big E.
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