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The Allstate Arena in Chicago saw an interesting episode of WWE SmackDown Live this week. It wasn't the best episode of the show we've seen, but it wasn't the worst episode. In fact, there were elements of best and worst, throughout the show.
It's time to recap the action that went down. Let us know in the comments below, whether you agree or disagree with our assessment. Your feedback is welcome, as always.
The big story last week was Dolph Ziggler relinquishing his United States Championship. Needless to say, that was the focal point of the entire two-hour long episode.
With that said, this is our analysis of SmackDown Live.
#1 Best: Rusev Day
As much as they tried, the 'Yep' movement never caught on. Neither did 'Ten', although once it seemed like it would be the next 'Yes' movement. Some believe that 'Johnny Wrestling' will be a chant to watch out for, once he makes it to the main roster someday. However, 'Rusev Day' has caught on.
And how! The Allstate Arena was on fire as they cheered for the day after Christmas (which is not Boxing Day). The 'Rusev Day' chants even surprised Daniel Bryan when he came out, judging by how loud they were.
As for Rusev and Aiden English, they have managed to reinvent themselves into a successful comedy duo, and although nobody saw it coming, their shtick is working. Kudos especially to English, who seemed lost and directionless after Simon Gotch left the company.
Also how cool did the double Accolade on Chad Gable and Xavier Woods look during the match, this week?!
#1 Worst: Wrong winners?
Make no mistake about it, Chad Gable is one of the best workers on the entire roster. Benjamin has not lost a step in the time he's been away. However, did they really need to become the Number 1 contenders for the Tag Team Championships, this week?
Rusev and Aiden English are the most over team in the entire division, by far. They could have had a fantastic feud with the Usos. The audience would be split right down the middle, with regards to whom they would be rooting for.
Even The New Day would have been a better bet. Gable and Benjamin seem like they have a lot of character development to accomplish, before they're title match ready.
Sometimes when the moment is right, and you refuse to pull the trigger, the moment doesn't come back!
#2 Best: The glare
AJ Styles and Shane McMahon faced one another at WrestleMania 33. Everyone expected the match to be a dud, considering Shane McMahon isn't a wrestler. To everyone's surprise, it was a very good match indeed. Perhaps the best of Shane's storied career.
Shane McMahon got involved in the main event match between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. As one would expect, it was a great match. What caught our attention, however, is the stare Styles gave Shane McMahon, for costing him this big match.
By interfering during the match (on AJ Styles' side, mind you), Shane McMahon inadvertently allowed Kevin Owens to pin the WWE Champion. Let's hope this builds into a pretty intriguing angle.
#2 Worst: Dropping a pretty interesting angle
After she lost to Charlotte Flair at Clash of Champions, Natalya cut a post-match promo. She spoke about turning her back on her fans. Everyone was intrigued. For the first time in years, Natalya had shown storyline development.
The week after, on SmackDown Live, she never showed up. This week she did, almost as a babyface, to take out the Riott Squad. The previous, compelling storyline was all but forgotten.
It is this lack of continuity that sometimes hampers our experience. We wish that WWE did not leave such loose ends untied.
#3 Best: The US Title tournament
The US Title tournament is not a bad idea at all. We saw Tye Dillinger on TV after a really long time, this week. He had a pretty good match with Jinder Mahal. Roode and Corbin too had a really good match.
Moreover, there's always the tease of what Ziggler is up to. We also can't foresee who'll win the tournament, so there's always the tease of that.
#3 Worst: Ruby Riott's promo
The premise for Ruby Riott's promo was 'Rumble is just another word for Riott'. The sign off was, 'Tonight, that glow has just got to go'. You piece the rest together. It was an awfully scripted promo.
Another thing we had a major problem with was how Ruby Riott dumped Charlotte Flair and Naomi out of the ring, through the middle ropes. Shouldn't they have been thrown out, over the top ropes, considering that we're building to the Royal Rumble? Quite a major oversight!
#4 Best: The Ascension returns
The Ascension is back on WWE programming. We only saw them as part of the Fashion Files, in recent times. From the looks of it, they've become 'best friends' with Breezango. And they're booking The Fashion Police in matches where they are guaranteed to get pulverized.
This is good comedy. And it keeps The Ascension on TV! Everyone wins.
That concludes yet another edition of Best and Worst where the 'Bests' outnumbered the 'Worsts', honestly.
Until the next week, it's 'Boss Time'.
