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SmackDown Live came to us this week, from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California, and it was an evening of both ups and downs.
In essence, there is one central storyline on SmackDown Live, with a lot of developments around it, which are seemingly of very little consequence.
While this wasn't a bad show overall, it seemed like a forgettable show, especially considering how good SmackDown Live has been in weeks past. What did you think of the episode?
Let us know in the comments below. We will begin our countdown with a best. This week, we begin at the very end.
#1 Best: Very dramatic main event
If you put two competitors like Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in the ring, the outcome is most likely going to be quite splendid. The two men had a great match this week, but what stole the show in our opinion was the added drama that came from Kevin Owens being handcuffed on the ring ropes.
Bolt cutters emerged, as Zayn tried to pry Owens free. Zayn and Orton had great chemistry with one another, and the two men put on a great showcase. Randy Orton can be an outstanding wrestler when he wants to be, and that showed again, this week.
While we had to wait over one and half hours to get to this match, it was well worth our patience. Special mention of the RKO out of nowhere delivered at the top of the show, as well.
Of course, except for this match, there was very little to write home about, really.
#1 Worst: Tamina Snuka
Charlotte Flair may be the best female in-ring competitor of our generation. The disparity between her skills and that of Tamina was very apparent, when the two women battled each other, on this week's show.
Try hard as she might, Flair could not eclipse the shortcomings of Tamina Snuka. Snuka has the pedigree, she has a tough girl look and she has the presence to be a star. Unfortunately, she is lacking in the ring, and on the microphone.
She's one woman who can really benefit from a run in NXT. Some of the girls down there seem more polished than she is, at this time.
It's best to erase the Charlotte Flair vs. Tamina Snuka match from memory.
#2 Best: Bludgeoning on
Harper and Rowan obliterated two local competitors so quickly that we could not even learn their names. They've been heavily protected, and showcase their dominance in the tag team division thus far.
We were apprehensive about the Bludgeon Brothers at first, but we believe that they're doing the right thing, by keeping them out of the mix until they're seen as a genuine threat to the tag team champions. The fact that the Bludgeon Brothers do not refrain from bludgeoning each other, like cavemen, is also a pretty cool sight.
The only thing we don't like about them is their ring gear. Maroon does not strike fear into anyone's heart, Creative!
#2 Worst: Lesser Absolution?
Absolution has Paige at the helm, and that makes them seem like a pretty interesting trio. Not to take away from the three talented women who comprise the Riott Squad, but comparisons are inevitable when you have similar gimmicks, and they do pale in comparison.
These three women seemed absolutely unstoppable, last week on SmackDown Live. One week later, their aura seems to have diminished. This could be because they had a chance to speak, on this week's show.
None of them are exemplary promos, and Sarah Logan is a particularly bad talker. It could be the lines they were given, but the delivery was not good either.
#3 Best: Dolph Ziggler on commentary
Dolph Ziggler made most of the full time announcers on commentary seem like amateurs, this week. He put over Bobby Roode as a legitimate contender in the SmackDown Live roster, publicized his own match, and never broke a swear.
Sometimes, we tend to overlook just how multifaceted Ziggler is, as a performer. Only last year, he was in an outstanding feud with The Miz, for the Intercontinental Championship. It's unfortunate that WWE hardly ever has anything interesting for him.
#3 Worst: No AJ Styles
What makes AJ Styles such a great representative for the SmackDown Live brand is the fact that he shows up every week, unlike the Champion of the other brand. This week, he didn't.
It's a little unfortunate that such was the case, considering that his match against Jinder Mahal is only mere weeks away. There has been very little build for the match, honestly speaking.
We would have loved to see Jinder Mahal too. Maybe get his take on why he attacked The Singh Brothers, last week.
Instead, we got nothing at all, really.
#4 Best/worst: Predictable partner?
A great hook at the top of the show was the unpredictability with regard to Randy Orton's partner. It could always be Nakamura, but he was too obvious a choice, as his would be the first name that would come to one's mind.
Well, it was Shinsuke Nakamura. Everyone loves Nakamura to bits, but wasn't he far too obvious a choice, really? After all, he's the only other top babyface in the brand, not booked in a match.
In any case, we'll join you again in twenty four hours, for some NXT coverage. We'll also bring you live updates from WWE Live India 2017, as we are the official media partners for the said event.
Until the next time, Happy Rusev Day!
