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While RAW may not have any further stops before WrestleMania 34, we all know that SmackDown Live does. Fastlane is fast approaching, and a multi-man main event is in store for the WWE Universe.
Well, SmackDown Live was a middling mess before the arrival of John Cena. He claimed that he would show up on SmackDown Live, and as a direct consequence of the same, the show suddenly feels much bigger than before. It wasn't necessarily the main event match, but the fact that things just picked up, upon his arrival.
As always, we will segregate the good from the bad in this particular countdown. We invite you to leave your comments, even if they differ from ours.
Overall, we felt that this show was one of the better ones in recent memory.
#1 Best: Chapter 4 of an iconic feud
We did have one reservation about the main event match. There were far too many kick outs for our liking. That said, if you put John Cena and AJ Styles in the same ring, you know they will deliver. And deliver they did, like the megastars they are.
Both men had the crowd on the edge of their seats. It was not easy to call the match, because the question remained whether Cena would make it to the multi-man match by pinning the WWE Champion. Styles is generally a protected individual and does not often get pinned.
So, there were high impact moves, broken tables and much, much more, during the main event match. Cena picked up the win and will be going to Fastlane.
The real reason this happened is possibly to sell tickets with John Cena's time-tested drawing power.
#1 Worst: Huge botch
When John Cena made his way to the ring, half the crowd in the arena cheered while the other half booed. However, those watching at home were amused. This is because of the graphic we've shared here. Cena's caption read 'The Bludgeon Brothers'.
Pro Wrestling Sheet put up this hilarious meme, some time during the show. We wouldn't have bothered with this botch, except for the fact that Cena's reappearance on SmackDown Live ideally should have been perfect. This moment just took away the seriousness of the situation.
#2 Best: Kevin Owens on commentary
There are few matches made in heaven as perfectly as Kevin Owens and color commentary. His interactions with Byron Saxton were awesome, as he generally put the SmackDown Live announcer down with his scathing comments. He also made fun of Baron Corbin and his hairline. We were totally in splits.
Owens should have a job at the commentary desk, long after his in-ring career is over and done. He may even be better than the actual announcers. But then again, he does have far more freedom as a part-timer.
#2 Worst: Goofy skit
Josh Duhamel was part of a backstage skit featuring The New Day and Breezango. They tried to make it interesting. Unfortunately, the skit came across as hokey and uninspired. Maybe limit the show to show-specific storylines?
Having celebrities on the show makes sense, when they are written into storylines like Mike Tyson was in the 90s or American Top Team has been, on Impact Wrestling. These one-off cameos don't do anyone any favours at all. Couldn't he have been replaced by a worthy superstar such as Tye Dillinger, who doesn't get TV time anymore?
#3 Best: Serious New Day
For most of the time that they were on TV this week, The New Day seemed like clowns. It was only after The Usos cut a scathing promo on them, that the New Day snapped. We know that despite their goofiness, The New Day can go in the ring. The guys brought it, this week!
Kudos to The Usos as well, who're just incredible performers. We can't wait for them to take on The New Day, when Fastlane comes around. We're certain that the match will indeed deliver.
#3 Worst: Backing away from a fight
The New Day and The Usos exchanged a war of words this week. Both teams seemed pumped and ready to go. And then, the Bludgeon Brothers showed up, for no reason. And these two teams backed away from the erstwhile Wyatt Family.
If anything, this little bit destroyed any kind of credibility that had been built up thanks to their verbal duel. Even if it was a losing effort, The Usos and The New Day should have let fists galore fly.
#4 Best/worst: The strange Rusev Day situation
Rusev Day chants are not just a 'SmackDown Live' phenomenon. People are chanting 'Rusev Day' on RAW as well, interrupting the proceedings. Rusev and Aiden English are the two most over performers in the whole company. And yet, they're still heels.
Why does Aiden English need to run down the town SmackDown Live is in that week? Not only is it the same thing that Elias does (far better, mind you), these towns are firmly in support of him. Rusev Day should have turned long back.
While we scratch our heads, we promise to see you again for '5 Points to Note' from NXT. Hope you join us again, in twenty-four hours.
Until then, please liv well, ladies and gentlemen.
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