Twenty-four hours after a ring-shattering episode of Raw, SmackDown Live was broadcast from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Heading into this episode of SmackDown, we were told that there would be a Six-Pack Challenge to determine the Number 1 contender who will go on to face the WWE Champion at Backlash.
The outcome of the match would set the tone for the rest of the night as there were more surprises than we can count on our fingertips. As is customary here at Sportskeeda Wrestling, we bring you the best and worst countdown, immediately following the show. Read on.
#1 Best: WWE is taking chances
We were the first to report that Jinder Mahal would pick up a victory in the Six-Pack Challenge and go on to face the WWE Champion. Somewhere deep down, we did not believe it until it actually did transpire. Yes, Jinder Mahal is your number 1 contender and will be competing for the top prize in the blue brand at Backlash.
While the decision makes you wonder if WWE creative had been partying and consuming illegal substances through the night, it is great to see WWE taking chances once again. Professional wrestling has been becoming predictable though the years.
The Superstar Shake-Up promised to shake things up, and we are glad to note that it signified more than switching WWE superstars between both the brands. It continued through the night, with an unlikely stable forming in the women's division, as well as The Shining Stars defeating American Alpha in their SmackDown Live debut.
WWE is taking chances, and we love it, Maggle.
#1 Worst: Irreparable damage to American Alpha
Maybe we're being paranoid, but we believe that WWE does not see former tag team champions American Alpha in the same league that their NXT fans do. Jordan and Gable have been losing several matches in succession, and this week they lost to a team that was seen as nothing more than a joke on Raw- The Colóns (formerly known as the Shining Stars).
While both Primo and Epico look far more menacing on SmackDown Live than they ever did on the red brand, one wonders if making American Alpha lose to them so soon after losing to The Usos was actually such a good idea. The crowd was dead still for the match, signalling more gloom and doom for American Alpha.
#2 Best: The New Face of America is awesome!
Kevin Owens started a ‘New Face of America Open Challenge’, where he faced a jobber who got a cheap pop for mentioning his hometown and proceeded to dismantle him and garner genuine heel heat.
He was just as good on commentary, silencing Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton and stealing the show, even when AJ Styles and Baron Corbin were tearing it up inside the ring. With all due respect to Zayn, Charlotte and The New Day, Owens was the best acquisition for the blue brand and has never seemed this menacing, even when he was Universal Champion.
If he keeps this persona up, it may even eclipse his JeriKO run.
#2 Worst: Disclosing the results beforehand?
All the announcers mentioned throughout the 6-Pack Challenge match was that the winner goes on to face Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at Backlash. Fair enough, guys. However, what if Randy Orton is no longer the WWE Champion when Backlash comes around?
After all, he is slated to face Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors match at Payback. The announcers mentioning Randy Orton repeatedly is either a huge botch or a spoiler that is being given away before the pay-per-view.
#3 Best: The Queen has arrived
Charlotte’s presence is causing massive ripples in the women’s division. It has forced an alliance between Carmella, Tamina, and Natalya. The fact that Charlotte could become Women's Champion in her third week on SmackDown has woken up the entire division.
Beyond the world of kayfabe, Charlotte will also make the women of SmackDown Live step up their game in the ring. What we liked best about her opening promo was how short it was, unlike the long-winded promos on Raw.
With Charlotte in the division, the women of SmackDown don't feel like a sideshow anymore.
#3 Worst: Never ending barrage of advertisements
Every time we got invested in a match on SmackDown Live, the show goes into a commercial right then. The long breaks during the six-pack challenge, specifically, almost took us out of the show.
We had our notes to refer to, but we wonder how much worse it is for those watching at home. Let us know in the comments section below if these commercials bother you as much as they annoy us all.
In conclusion, Lana is coming to SmackDown Live and she looks F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.
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