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RAW kicked things into high gear, right before SummerSlam 2018 this weekend. Unfortunately, SmackDown Live was only a shadow of the events on RAW, in my opinion. There were a few things that I enjoyed. Overall, it was still an absolute filler show.
At some points, it just seemed like SmackDown Live did not even try. And this is not to take away from the action in the ring, which was great as always. My criticism is with the creative team, who seemed to phone it in all through the show.
Did you guys think the show was just as lacklustre as I did? Please feel free to chime in and let me know what you felt, in the section right below.
Unlike RAW, SmackDown Live did not get me excited at all for SummerSlam, this weekend.
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#1 Best: Samoa Joe and the big finale twist
Remember how Enzo Amore liked to call himself 'the realest guy in the room'? I think that phrase is better suited for Samoa Joe, who brings an intensity and passion into his promos that makes everything he says sound supremely real. Just consider his interaction with Paige in the backstage area. The crowd cheered for him, despite the fact that he was a heel.
As cheesy as the letter from AJ Styles' wife was, in the end, it was the only real 'surprise' on an otherwise lacklustre show. I personally would not have bought it had it not been Samoa Joe delivering the message. Joe came across as a devious and malicious heel, cutting this intense promo.
As for the match on Sunday, we all know it's going to be great. We've all seen these two men mix it up several times in TNA.
I do hope that WWE continues this feud, even after SummerSlam is over and done.
#1 Worst: Ruining a great match
There was a lot of hype about Jeff Hardy's big return to wrestling. Hardy took on Benjamin in a pretty fantastic match. As one would expect, he picked up a win after a pretty hard fought battle. Unfortunately for him, most fans were distracted during the course of this fantastic bout.
The dreaded split screen returned and showcased Ronda Rousey's match for SummerSlam. In my honest opinion, whoever decided to make this decision deserves to be DELETED for good.
#2 Best: A journey through time
WWE needed to drive home the fact that the match between Daniel Bryan and The Miz wasn't an ordinary contest. This was a battle that has been years in the making, stretching back all the way to NXT. This was a battle that intensified because of what happened on Talking Smack.
Told in three parts, this was a rather immersive journey. It did make me more excited for the contest than I was. I daresay this match has the best build among all of SmackDown Live's SummerSlam matches.
Expect the two men to put on a real clinic at SummerSlam. I am certain that this match could steal the show, if both men are given time to shine.
#2 Worst: A pointless squash
The Bludgeon Brothers should be laying waste to The New Day. Instead, The New Day had their own match, while The Bludgeon Brothers took on local talent. As one would expect, the local talent did not stand a real chance.
We get the point already! The Bludgeon Brothers are big, strong and unstoppable. Maybe write some stories for them now?
#3 Best: Renewed for a second season
The Miz will never be considered in the same league as Batista and Cena, who've gone on to attain massive superstardom. At the same time, he's been a loyal solider for the company, bringing many new eyeballs with his forays outside the company. I am glad to know that Miz and Mrs. has now been renewed for a new season. The Miz deserves all the accolades in the world, and more!
And so does his lovely wife, who's been by his side, every step of the way!
#3 Worst: Predictable outcomes
What made RAW exciting last night was the unpredictability, from Heyman macing Reigns in the face with pepper spray, to Dean Ambrose's unexpected return. Every match on SmackDown Live was easy to predict. We all knew that the guys on the SummerSlam card would go over. As a result, it was hard to be invested in these encounters, at all.
Maybe the only real surprise during the show was the letter from AJ Styles' wife.
#4 Best/worst: SAnitY
SAnitY gets a lot of screen time and that's a good thing on a brand where superstars such as The Club, The Bar and Tye Dillinger don't. But at the same time, haven't they been losing far too much, of late? Their aura, their ferocity, has been gravely diminished.
I had expected them to be worthy opponents for The Shield, if they were to be drafted to RAW in the future. Right now, they're only a shadow of my initial expectations. They are little more than lower mid card superstars.
Which is a shame really. Killian Dain in particular, can be a very prolific superstar.
The same holds true for Mandy Rose, who perhaps has the potential to become the next Alexa Bliss.
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One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
