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Best and worst of the first WWE SmackDown of 2020- 3 huge returns, 2 massive reunions 

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified Jan 04, 2020 11:11 IST
What a way to end the first SmackDown of 2020
What a way to end the first SmackDown of 2020

This week's episode of WWE SmackDown gave us everything we love about pro wrestling- from drama to good and rock-solid in-ring action. There was very little to complain about in this week's episode, in my opinion, but it was still far from perfect.

So, what did I like and what did I not care for during the episode, you ask? Well, to answer your question, I will present the 'Best and Worst of SmackDown' from this week.

Be sure to let me know if you agree or you disagree with my assessment in the comments section below. Rest assured that your opinion will be respected because even the official Sportskeeda 'Best and Worst' column is just one man's opinion and little more.

Let's dive into the heart of the action on WWE SmackDown and touch upon the good and the bad.

#1 Best: The Usos, John Morrison, and Sheamus return

WWE knew that they had to start the new year and the new decade with a bang and they did just that with three major returns on this week's show. Not only did The Usos come to the aid of Roman Reigns in the main-event segment but you also had Sheamus tease a face turn before he destroyed Shorty G with an amazing Brogue Kick.

Perhaps the biggest headline of the return was the return of John Morrison and it seems like he's back with The Miz, which was the first big reunion of the night. It's also clear that Roman Reigns and The Usos will be a unit going forward, which should be great news for fans of their highly popular act!

This was an absolute banger of a way to start off the new year and fans in the audience certainly got their money's worth, this week.

#1 Worst: The way that John Morrison was brought back

Of course, John Morrison's return is something that the whole world knew about but it would have been far better had his comeback happened with his music hitting with him striding to the ring. The fact that he was only pictured in the backstage area shortly after The Miz's heel turn does not really spell out quality content.

Imagine the kind of pop that would have happened if John Morrison had shown up out of nowhere. Maybe Kofi Kingston and Big E could corner The Miz, and Morrison would have stepped out to make the save. The man is back in the company after many years now and I'm just afraid that the company lost a chance to get that massive pop with the way that they booked his return.

In any case, I'm curious to see what this is leading to.

#2 Best: The Miz turns heel once again

Personally, I thought that the program between The Miz and Bray Wyatt was a very good one, with The Miz playing a loving father. However, one cannot argue that The Miz's best work through the course of his career has been as a despised heel.

There is something about The Miz that just compels the audience in attendance to boo him and this was evident from this week's show. After losing to Kofi Kingston, The Miz just gave in to his dark side and turned heel in a very interesting segment.

The Miz has had many incarnations through the course of his WWE career and I'd really like to see him go after the Intercontinental Championship again, this time as a heel, if Braun Strowman eventually captures the Championship. Maybe him and Morrison could even go after The New Day and the tag team championships next.

#2 Worst: Sasha Banks takes the pin

I don't mean this as a sign of disrespect but Dana Brooke has a long way to go before she's even in the same ballpark as Sasha Banks. And I don't mean this from an in-ring perspective alone, but also from the fact that she really doesn't have a well-etched out gimmick at the moment. Sasha Banks is a much bigger star than Brooke is right now.

And yet, it was Dana Brooke who picked up the win for her team, pinning, of all people, Sasha Banks. I wonder if this means that Banks' push is over, considering she's just been a sidekick to Bayley since she arrived on WWE SmackDown.

WWE has never really given Sasha Banks a chance to shine like they should have and this is a travesty as she may possibly be the best women's wrestler on the planet at this point in time.

#3 Best: Elias is amazing

If you're a fan of Don Rickles, I think it is fair to dub Elias as a modern-day pro-wrestling version of the legend. Elias may not have the same level of freedom that the comedian enjoyed, but strumming his guitar he roasts the whole WWE SmackDown (and sometimes RAW) roster like nobody's business.

What I especially loved about this week is that even though he roasted the entire roster, he received a massive pop because he did it as a babyface. I know that the idea of a confrontation between Elias and The Rock has been discussed in the past but if the showdown does come to pass, what a great moment it will be for the WWE Universe.

Rusev recently said that WWE is about entertainment and not arm drags and powerbombs, as Elias rightfully proved on this week's show with his amazing comedy segment.

#3 Worst: The demise of the tag team division?

I thought it was very interesting to see all the tag team competitors from SmackDown in singles action this week. It is very clear that the SmackDown Tag Team Championships held by The New Day will not be defended at the Royal Rumble.

It's a shame that despite the wealth of talent in the roster and the abundance of tag teams that are a part of the same, the tag team division never gets a chance to shine. As good as the match between Kofi Kingston and The Miz was, wouldn't we rather see a new team challenge them for the tag titles?

Let's hope that the arrival of The Usos breathes brand new life into the division because that is the need of the hour. But again, will WWE go for a babyface vs. babyface feud?

But as long as Alexa Bliss smiles, all is right with the world.