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Remember how we'd mentally fast-forward through RAW immediately following the brand split, and just wait for WWE SmackDown Live to hit our TV screens? Those days are far behind us.
As RAW goes from strength to strength with Braun Strowman at the helm, SmackDown Live seems like a shell of its former self. By that, we do not mean that it lacks talent or superstars. Somehow, the show has become repetitive, drab and generally, quite lacklustre indeed.
Take this week, for instance. There was only one major angle that played out for the entirety of the show, and while it certainly wasn't bad per se, when WWE SmackDown Live was over and done, we felt a tad underwhelmed.
In any case, here's our analysis of what worked this week and what did not...
#1 Best: Brand new United States Champion
Anyone who has followed Bobby Roode during his TNA run knows just how talented the man truly is. Now, he's no spring chicken considering that he's 40 years old. WWE decided to take a chance with him on SmackDown Live. And we're truly glad for the same.
When we look back at this episode, maybe a few years down the line, this will be the only talking point that we will remember. This episode was honestly little more than a build-up to Bobby Roode's moment of fame. It's difficult not to root for the man.
Let's hope that his run is just as good as his crowning moment was. The title does not make the man, as The Miz has proved with the Intercontinental Championship; the man makes the title.
We'll try and remain optimistic for the rest of this article, but this was honestly the only real 'Best' from the whole show.
#1 Worst: Key superstars off the show
If you've been following our website, you may be aware of the fact that Kevin Owens was pulled from a couple of Live Events, owing to a persistent injury. Because he's one of the most important characters on SmackDown Live, his absence just made the show feel a tad unimportant.
The same can be said about Jey Uso. While he did appear in a pre-taped segment, the fact of the matter is that his arrest must have set a lot of plans awry. The timing of both incidents has been extremely unfortunate for WWE.
#2 Best: Great in-ring psychology
Remember Bret Hart in the first ever King of the Ring? He would sell the injuries he sustained during his initial matches, for the rest of the tournament. This would give his opponent a body part to work upon. Roode brought a similar level of psychology.
In the finals of the tournament, Roode would wince from the word go and sell his ribs. Corey Graves latched on to this, and made a note of how Roode's ribs had been injured. Even after he won the match, he celebrated while clutching his ribs.
Mahal focused on the ribs for the entirety of the match that transpired this week. This was honestly little more than wrestling 101, but a rare sight in these days of no-selling.
#2 Worst: Four matches over two hours
We wonder if WWE went into panic mode when they found out that their key superstars would not be showing up this week. This seemed like a rather hastily booked show overall. You had the two semifinal matches, the finals and a 6-woman tag team match, over two hours. The show wasn't exciting.
There was very little storytelling in the non-match segments. Sure, some of the superstars spoke about the Royal Rumble but that was pretty much all there was, really. Except for the finals, the entire show was skippable.
We say WWE panicked because the finals were moved up to this week from next week. Let's hope WWE pulls out all the stops for next week, heading into the Royal Rumble.
#3 Best: Kami
We all knew that AJ Styles was the best wrestler of the current era, but it's impressive to see how much he's grown on the microphone as well. He seems far more confident, and finally, worthy of the mantle of WWE Champion. Now, we come to Kami!
Rusev Day has proved that you don't need to make sense to get over with the audience. Kami could be the next big thing, if WWE decides to make it so, in terms of a crowd chant.
#3 Worst: The Women's Division
We love the SmackDown Live Women's Division. We think the women are beautiful, talented and worthy of all the accolades they have garnered. We also believe that they should be booked better than they have been thus far. They deserve more than meaningless 6-woman tags every week.
All WWE needs to do is write a story for them, like they have with Ziggler or Shane McMahon-Daniel Bryan. It would make the audience far more invested in the action than they are, right now!
#4 Best/worst: The Singh Brothers
Because of how ill-timed it was, we wonder if Samir Singh hobbling up the ramp wasn't the result of a real injury. If so, it is unfortunate based on the number of injuries in the WWE roster right now.
However, we did like the idea of the two brothers rushing in to attack Bobby Roode shortly after he won his match. This made the audience far more invested in the finals. It made us believe that Jinder Mahal cared about winning this mid-card title.
That concludes our SmackDown Live review. Once again, we are quite disappointed.
Here's some Liv Morgan to cheer you all up!
