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In all fairness, there was no point during this episode where we felt bored. However, it was far from a perfect show, and there were as many questionable booking decisions as positives all through the night. SmackDown Live clearly suffers from a lack of star power, and the mid card isn't being pushed hard enough to fill the void left by the lack of bigger draws. One can't help but feel a little underwhelmed, especially after watching the star studded roster that is RAW.
What were the aspects of this episode from the Denny Sandford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, we liked and the ones we didn't like as much? Here's a comprehensive analysis of the best and worst of the blue brand's latest episode.
#1 Worst: The re-debut of Dolph Ziggler
This segment was the very definition of trying too hard to tell a story. Ziggler came out first as John Cena, then as The Macho Man and finally as Naomi, donning their attire and indicating to the audience that you can't be a firm fan favourite without a compelling gimmick. Well, Ziggler is right, and unfortunately for him, this is not a very compelling gimmick.
Ziggler's role has always been that of a 'whiner', be it as a babyface who never got the opportunities he was owed or as a heel who believed he was being kept down by top brass. This gimmick takes it to the next level and does him absolutely no favours at all because it is far from entertaining, at least at this point in time.
Let's keep an open mind and hope this goes somewhere by next week. So far, we're really not feeling it.
#1 Best: The Owens-McMahon saga
It has been clear for a while that WWE is leaning towards a Shane McMahon-Kevin Owens feud on SmackDown Live. Lest we forget, 'Hell in a Cell' is around a corner, and that's a match close to Shane's heart. This is a story that started in the first segment of the show and continued through the night.
Both men played their part amazingly and were adequately supported by Daniel Bryan as well. The inclusion of Vince McMahon into the mix should only spice things up and make the show far more interesting. Shane McMahon's offence could do with a little more work, but that's nitpicking.
We congratulate WWE for actually trying to tell a story and holding our attention across the whole night. As for Shane McMahon's suspension, expect it to last only a few weeks at most.
Yes, we think that Shane McMahon will jump off Hell in a Cell once again.
#2 Worst: Where is everyone?
This should have been a case for The Fashion Police. Unfortunately, they were missing as well.
We saw Chad Gable in a promising, new tag team last week. This week, he was missing in action. Last week, we saw a glimpse of the Tamina-Lana relationship finally heading somewhere. This week, they were missing too. No Mike and Maria, no Rusev and only a video package of 'The Glorious' Bobby Roode towards the end of the show.
We understand that everything cannot be crammed into a two-hour show. However, many things that transpired this week seemed 'unimportant' from a larger perspective, really.
However, not all was bleak this week.
#2 Best: A pretty solid main event
The main event of the evening was hyped to the skies. Quite deservedly so. The Viper took on The King of Strong Style with The Maharaja watching from the sky box, with the Singh Brothers for company. What transpired was an entertaining showcase that had the crowd chanting 'This is awesome' quite a few times.
This was the best Randy Orton match in quite a while and must admit that these two men did not wrestle like they had met for the first time ever, as they entertained those in attendance.
The right man went over because we've seen Mahal vs. Orton far too many times already. Let's hope their next encounter is better than their last one.
#3 Worst: Using Sami Zayn as enhancement talent
When he was in NXT, everyone expected Sami Zayn to become the next Daniel Bryan and take over the role of the crowd favourite underdog. This week, we saw him lose to Aiden English in a nothing match. It is clear that WWE does not see Sami Zayn at the same level that the fans do. We have to admit that he was being booked better when he was on RAW.
Let's hope that Aiden English benefits from pinning Zayn, and WWE actually does something with the guy. Someone needs to benefit from this program. It has been rumoured that Aiden English has been in line for a push for a while, so perhaps it's just that.
#3 Best: Sin City episode of SmackDown Live
This week seemed like an appetizer before the main course that will be served next week. With three title matches and the return of Vince McMahon, next week's episode should be absolutely breathtaking indeed. WWE is going all out for the Sin City special, and we are loving it.
We are still baffled that The Usos would choose a street fight as their stipulation, especially when their opponents have an extra member. Yes, we know that Woods is nursing an injury, but he could still have a say on proceeding The gap in logic notwithstanding, we're looking forward to next week's explosive episode.
#4 Unsure: The Carmella-Ellsworth relationship
Carmella got rid of Ellsworth as her man at arms early in the night, only to lock lips with him later during the show and slap him right after that. The relationship between these two superstars is really baffling at this point in time.
Let's just hope that WWE knows where to go from here because things are far too random right now. For this very reason, we've neither called it a best nor a worst.
What's next for Carmella and her boo? Let's hope that next week brings us more answers.
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