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After a disappointing RAW, we were treated to a disappointing episode of SmackDown Live this week. While we do not doubt the ability of WWE to put on a great show when it's time, somehow we were a little underwhelmed with this SmackDown Live episode.
So this week at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, fans were subjected to an underwhelming show. We'll try to stay positive and list out the best, and segregate the same from the worst. We do hope you'll let us know what you thought of the show too.
The central problem with SmackDown Live seems to be the lack of legitimate stars. WWE has just let it lag far behind RAW, and the crowd only pops for very select individuals anymore.
Here is the 'Best and Worst' of SmackDown Live.
#1 Best: Huge WrestleMania 34 matches confirmed
A lot of matches were made and amended on SmackDown Live, during the show. We learned that The Bludgeon Brothers, The Usos and The New Day would compete in a triple threat match. We learned that Rusev has entered the fray to become US Champion.
Most importantly, Shane McMahon will team up with Daniel Bryan to take on Owens and Zayn.
This was perhaps the only significant development on the show. It leads us to wonder whether this show was the calm before the storm, and that all hell will break loose in the go-home show before WrestleMania 34. We can only speculate for now.
In case you missed it, Sami Zayn replied to Daniel Bryan's challenge during the show. This is certainly the most exciting match, considering how high stakes it is.
#1 Worst: Ziggler's fall
Dolph Ziggler has been the worst booked SmackDown Live superstar in recent times. He shocked the world by relinquishing his US Title, and came back without any fanfare at all. And now, he's in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
As we have seen several times in the recent past, this is a trophy that means nothing. Look at Mojo Rawley and how far his career fell after winning the Championship at WrestleMania 33. It befuddles us that Ziggler would sign a great contract and come back to this!
#2 Best: Daniel Bryan's promo
Not only is Daniel Bryan perhaps the best in-ring performer of the modern era, he is also a super nice guy. This is a trait that the crowd latched on to. They made Bryan their guy. And now, their guy is back after the ultimate comeback story.
This week, Daniel Bryan came forth to issue a challenge to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for WrestleMania. If the heels win the match, they come back to SmackDown Live. A huge cloud that hangs over this match is the current condition of SmackDown Live Commissioner, Mr. Shane McMahon.
In any case, we saw a glimpse of the wrestler this week, instead of the authority figure. Honestly, it was a welcome sight.
#2 Worst: An underwhelming main event
This is not a knock on Shelton Benjamin. Instead, this is a knock on WWE for booking a strange match only days before WrestleMania comes around. Benjamin and Nakamura had a pretty solid match together.
However, it was just an odd sort of pairing and one that felt like a lopsided WWE Live Event match, at best.
Even though John Cena vs. Kane was an ordinary match, people were glued to catch the possible return of The Undertaker. There was absolutely no reason for fans to watch this particular match that almost had no heat at all.
#3 Best: New Day's hilarious antics
The New Day may not nearly be as popular anymore as they were during their record-breaking reign, but they sure know how to work the crowd.
They pointed at the WrestleMania sign during their promo, and the crowd absolutely lapped it up. This tongue in cheek moment, although small, was a highlight this week. We hope Ronda Rousey was watching.
There's a lot of heat for the Triple Threat Match. With the Bludgeon Brothers, New Day and The Usos all being adept in-ring competitors, this could be the best match of the night.
#3 Worst: The US title build
Randy Orton is an all-time great, but who's way beyond his prime. Bobby Roode is a heel who's been miscast as a babyface. Jinder Mahal's momentum is only a shade of the past, and he feels like a diminished performer. Rusev is perhaps the best thing about this match.
Needless to say, the US title build has been disappointing leading up to WrestleMania 34. We do hope that Rusev stands tall at WrestleMania, so that there is some payoff for the fans in attendance.
#4 Best/worst: Becky Lynch's absolutely meaningless win
The SmackDown Women's Division centered around Charlotte Flair, this past year. So much so, that the rest of the division seems meaningless. Becky Lynch picked up a big win this week. However, this was a meaningless win, in our opinion.
Lynch will be a part of the Women's Battle Royal. This win on TV probably signifies that she won't even win the big match, when it's time. After all, Sasha Banks and Bayley should be the featured feud, during the Battle Royal.
Anyway, with one week to go, we hope WWE manages to knock it out of the park. Join us then, for more 'Best and Worst'.
Until then, do Liv well.
