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SmackDown Live came to us from Evansville, Indiana, this week. I thought it was a far easier show to watch than RAW. There was a lot about this week's proceedings that I really liked. There was much I did not like as well.
As always, it is my duty to segregate the two and list them for your reading pleasure. Chime in the comments and let me know your thoughts about this week's proceedings. Did you think SmackDown Live was a more enjoyable show to sit through than RAW was?
One thing is for sure, at this point in time. We are well and truly on the road to SummerSlam, and in the coming weeks, business is about to pick up.
And now that we're done with the formalities, here is the 'Best and Worst' of SmackDown Live, served piping hot, straight from the oven!
#1 Best: AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
AJ Styles and Samoa Joe were two men that put TNA on the map. Anyone who's watched their matches from their erstwhile place of employment knows that they have incredible chemistry when working against each other. I'm glad to see that AJ Styles' next challenger will be none other than Joe!
Joe has a tendency to make his programs feel real and genuine. AJ Styles, in my opinion, has suffered from a lack of credible contenders during his reign if you consider how the Number 1 Contenders have been booked. Joe can bring in an intensity and ferocity that will bring out the best in AJ Styles.
I love how Joe competed earlier during the night making it seem like he wouldn't be the Number 1 contender for the top prize in sports entertainment today. When the attack came, our attention was focused elsewhere, adding a pretty exciting dynamic to the ongoing action.
#1 Worst: Joe's claim to be top contender
We all know just how talented and gifted Samoa Joe is. However, how can Paige justify making him the Number 1 contender, out of nowhere? What has Joe done to deserve the top spot in the storyline? From what I recall, he has just put Tye Dillinger and R-Truth to rest in recent times, and that hardly qualifies him for the position!
That said I will not look a gift horse in the mouth, and move on with my list!
#2 Best: One step closer to the gold
Look, we knew how the match would play out even before it got underway. Becky Lynch made Carmella tap out and has earned a spot for SummerSlam, where she competes for the title she once held. It was still great to see her realize her destiny and stand tall when all is said and done.
I loved that Ellsworth was fired earlier during the night. It protected the Champion, in a way, even though she tapped out on SmackDown Live. It also established that Ellsworth was the one X Factor perennially helping her win!
Can Becky Lynch go all the way? I have a feeling she will.
#2 Worst: The IIconics and their extremely shrill promos
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are certainly two extremely shrill women. They have a piercing and grating tone that can get annoying. Yes, I understand that it is a part of their gimmick and their shtick, but somehow, it just makes one want to change the channel for good.
Jake Roberts once famously said - "If a man has enough power, he can speak softly and the whole world will listen." I'm not saying that this is applicable in every case, but The IIconics could learn a thing or two from the legend.
#3 Best: Heel Randy Orton's promo
We've all known that Randy Orton always works better as a heel than a babyface. This week, he kicked off proceedings and justified his heinous attack on Jeff Hardy last week. He was measured, calculating and his words really hit home. Especially when Orton turned to the crowd and called them all 'legend killers', a throwback to his old gimmick.
In my opinion, this is the coolest Randy Orton has seemed since he burned the Wyatt Compound down to the ground.
#3 Worst: Another loss for SAnitY
SAnitY are the agents of chaos and for them to seem dominant and scary, they need to be on a winning track. Instead, they suffered yet another loss to The New Day this week. In my opinion, they've not been booked strongly at all, since they were first called up. SmackDown Live's booking has been a disservice to these talented men.
I just hope these men do not slide into jobber territory before long, looking at previous call-ups like Tyler Breeze and also, The Ascension.
#4 Best/worst: The Rusev storyline
Rusev and Andrade 'Cien' Almas had a fantastic match this week. A match that was ruined by Aiden English's interference, leading to further tensions between him, Rusev and Lana. It is obvious that we're headed for a split in the ranks. Isn't it far too soon for that?
The crowd gives both men a natural reaction. And that's hard to achieve in this day and age of wrestling. Does WWE not realize that they have a goldmine?
No, they probably don't!
#4 Best/worst: The main event segment
The segment with The Miz and Maryse and their baby/doll was pretty alright. I don't necessarily know if it was strong enough to close a show with. I understand why it did happen. A new show is in the works and it had to be showcased in all its glory, this week.
But I would not have ended the show with this particular segment. It did further the feud between the two men. But it just felt like it belonged somewhere in the middle of the show.
At this point, I've concluded the review, and will now be rushing to watch 'Miz and Mrs.'. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about the action that unfolded this week!
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