SmackDown Live has had many ups and downs since Wrestlemania, losing some of the steam that had made it the A-Show last year. However, in recent times, the show has made a comeback and with Money in the Bank approaching, we believe that it will regain its former glory very soon indeed.
Live from Atlanta, Georgia, the city that built AJ Styles (pardon the wordplay), we saw a pretty solid episode in which we had very few complaints. Still, as is customary we shall bring you our best and worst countdown. While the show was near perfect, it certainly wasn't perfect at all. Read on to find out what we liked, and what we didn’t like as much.
#1 Best: It's some new challengers, yes it is!
The Usos have dominated the Tag Team Division on SmackDown for a long time now. There hasn't really been a team that has appeared as legitimate contenders for their titles since the Superstar Shake-Up.
The arrival of The New Day has changed the landscape of the entire tag team division of the brand. Jimmy and Jey Uso were confronted by the New Day, and we’re certain this is a feud that will go on for many months. Interestingly, they’ve feuded before but at that time, The Usos were babyfaces while The New Day were heels.
#1 Worst: The hometown curse
It is the tradition in WWE to have the hometown hero, lose in their beloved hometown. So much so, that the matches often become easy to predict and call even before they actually happen.
Even though Dolph Ziggler beating AJ Styles really makes no sense, considering which Superstar has more long-term potential, WWE gave the big win to Ziggler simply because Styles hails from Atlanta, Georgia. This was a completely fair victory without any foul play.
We do not claim to have magical powers to see into the future, but we can certainly predict results when WWE Superstars actually wrestle at home. As much as we love both Styles and Ziggler as workers, this match also under-delivered in some ways.
#2 Best: The SmackDown women make history
If you are a regular reader of our site, you are aware that there have been rumblings of a Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match. The women of SmackDown Live competed against one another to determine a Number 1 contender for Naomi's championship and all hell broke loose before the bell even rang.
Chaos ensued before the SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon came in and announced that there would be a first-ever Women’s Money-In-The-Bank contest, to the delight of the entire audience in the arena and around the world.
This certainly is the golden age of Women's Wrestling, and we salute WWE for giving them such a huge opportunity. It definitely beats a kendo stick on a pole match, truth be told.
#2 Worst: Mix n’ match booking
This isn't a criticism of the Sami Zayn and Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens match, which we felt was quite solid. We are critiquing the booking that leads up to any multi-man match at a pay-per-view.
As we saw on Raw recently, the lead-up to the Fatal Five Way match had the competitors in various permutations and combinations. Not only did we see the match we just mentioned, as well as the main event with AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler; but we'll get to see Kevin Owens vs. Shinsuke Nakamura next week.
Sure, we know for certain that it's going to be a good match, but it’s hard to be invested in a showcase match that has no consequence in the larger scheme of things.
A more creative way of booking the show could have been picking out the contestants for the MITB Ladder match through singles contests. This would have also established the ‘Land of Opportunity’ moniker that SmackDown Live proudly claims, with probable opportunities for Mojo Rawley and Luke Harper.
#3 Best: Not giving up on Breezango
We thought that Breezango were an entertaining sideshow, that would only last until the New Day arrived. Thankfully, their skits continue much to our delight and amusement. They also put on a fun match against The Colons, with some fun costume changes during the match.
Breezango have found their footing, and both men have found favour with the WWE Universe at long last. Their careers may skyrocket if they are booked effectively, and they may even become tag team champions someday.
#3 Worst: Nakamura’s promos
Shinsuke Nakamura just exudes charisma, but every time he opens his mouth to speak, he gives away the fact that speaking in English isn’t his strongest asset. We know babyfaces don’t usually have managers, but maybe make an exception in Nakamura's case? After all, he has the potential to really be a top level Superstar.
Let’s end with an alternate scenario, a fantasy one if you will. In another dimension, AJ Styles defeated Dolph Ziggler.
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