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The Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY saw an interesting episode of SmackDown Live. It wasn't as good a show as the episodes we've witnessed over the past few weeks since AJ Styles became the WWE Champion, but several things happened during the show that should have a bearing on the weeks of television programming that follow.
Several things of note happened on this show, which we shall list them as either 'Best' or 'Worst'. Share your own best and worst list in the comments below, because we're always curious to hear your take on the show.
This wasn't a show that we will remember years down the line. Instead, it was a show that set the stage for various events, down the line.
Let's begin with our first 'Best' and move on to a 'Worst' thereafter.
#1 Best: Tension between the authority figures
Last week, SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon gave very specific instructions to his General Manager, Daniel Bryan, to fire Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for betraying team blue at Survivor Series 2017.
Bryan did not relent, and explained that he believed that Zayn and Owens were both valuable top players, on this week's show.
Things are obviously building to a climax on SmackDown Live, and one of the two babyfaces will be forced to go heel, as the story plays out. We wonder if Bryan will get a negative reaction, even if he does go heel, considering just how popular he is with the WWE Universe right now.
We like the tension that has built between the Commissioner and the General Manager, and we dig the fact that WWE is at least attempting to tell a long-term story, with them.
#1 Worst: A loose thread
Last week, The New Day faced Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a lumberjack match. As is the case with every single lumberjack match, all hell broke loose soon afterwards and in the chaos, Kevin Owens escaped.
Zayn was left at the mercy of The New Day by his supposed best friend. This was a great plot point to build upon or at least address this week, in our opinion. Unfortunately, this aspect was completely overlooked by WWE's creative team.
It is okay to say that this is something that heels do. But attention to small details like these can really enhance a product.
WWE is the world's longest-running soap opera, and continuity is almost everyone's best friend.
#2 Best: Going their separate ways
This week on SmackDown Live, we saw Mojo Rawley turn on his tag team partner, Zack Ryder, after weeks and weeks of losses. This is a welcome change for both men, and can lead to a pretty interesting feud in the weeks that follow.
Bear in mind that WWE is invested in Rawley. He even won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. While his career has not exactly panned out the way it should have, maybe a heel turn is exactly what the doctor ordered for him.
Both men could be valuable players in the mid-card, at the US Title level, and if booked right, maybe even higher. Who knows what the future holds for both men?
#2 Worst: Mahal turning on his associates
A large part of Jinder Mahal's appeal came from his association with The Singh Brothers. Sunil and Samir Singh took massive bumps during his matches, which were often the most memorable parts of the said matches.
This week, we saw Jinder Mahal seemingly break up his association with the Singh Brothers. We wonder if this is an indication that Jinder Mahal's ascent up the ladder has come to an end. Without the Singhs by his side, he will feel like a much smaller deal than he has been.
Let's hope that The Singhs get a run in WWE, even without Jinder Mahal by their side. They could bolster the tag team division, if given an opportunity.
#3 Best: A dominating display
We do not understand why the Riott Squad or indeed Ruby Riott have an extra 't' in their name, but it is what it is. What we did like is how dominating they were, as the three NXT call-ups took on a top babyface team in Charlotte Flair, Naomi and the semi-heel Natalya.
Natalya abandoned the match halfway through, which made the Riott Squad seize the upper hand. They played a strategic game, attacking Naomi outside the ring, during the match. Even though Charlotte Flair was pinned, she was protected in defeat, in this very manner.
We wonder what the next chapter of this story will be!
#3 Worst: Not addressing the obvious question
It is far too random to assume that The Riott Squad and Absolution, two trios comprising of a punk/goth chick, a tough girl and a blonde bombshell just happened to show up on WWE's two brands, out of the blue.
We wish there was some kind of explanation given as to why this call-up coincided with Paige's faction on RAW. It could have potentially been a rather interesting tale. Looks like it will just remain a loose thread for the viewers.
#4 Best: A good main event
Long before this match even took place, Kevin Owens and Randy Orton were firing salvos at one another on Twitter. Give them weapons and time to tell a story through a match, and you know they will deliver on the big stage.
This was a great match and a good way to cap off the evening. Let's hope that all the seeds planted in this episode will bloom into long-term feuds.
We leave you with a though- 'what happened to the Ascension?' What happens when you breathe in a significant quantity of poison gas?
Join us next week, as we find out as well.
