'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I thought that AEW Double or Nothing that aired last weekend pretty much set the standard with regard to how sports entertainment in the year 2019 should be. To be fair, it's unfair to compare the promotion to WWE because it's a mega-event vs. their weekly programming, so we can come to a more fair assessment in October.
That said, I really did think that the RAW that followed Double or Nothing was a complete dud. There was very little of consequence that actually happened during the show.
Honestly, SmackDown Live was a pretty interesting show in a lot of respects and while it wasn't really groundbreaking, it was actually quite entertaining. It was a pretty basic show and I think the fact that it's not three hours long helped me enjoy the show better.
Here's what I liked and disliked from this week's show...
#1 Best: Elias wins his first title in WWE
This was a long time coming and I'm glad that it did happen at long last for Elias. One of the most consistent performers in the roster, Elias has the crowd eating from the palm of his hand on every given night.
Unfortunately, that's relegated him to the position of a sideshow where his segments get interrupted and he gets beaten up in the process almost every week. A performer of his caliber does not even get an opportunity to compete in matches where he can potentially tell long-term stories.
And because of his role in the company, he's been kept away from the title picture thus far. This changed on SmackDown Live, when, if only for a brief spell, he became the WWE 24/7 Champion.
R-Truth would regain the Championship shortly after the main event took place.
#1 Worst: Not good enough for Roman Reigns?
So, I'm glad that the title is back on R-Truth because his incredible comic timing and partnership with Carmella are integral to the nature of the 24/7 Championship. But what I did not like about him regaining his Championship is that Roman Reigns did not want it for himself at all.
If you notice the closing moments of SmackDown Live, Roman Reigns had a chance to become the 24/7 Champion. But Reigns decided to forgo the opportunity and let R-Truth claim the prize, proving that the new title was beneath him.
The objective of almost everyone in the SmackDown roster should be to hold some gold. When Reigns and even McIntyre earlier during the night indicated that they didn't want the titles, it sent the wrong message across about the prestige of the Championship.
Maybe Lance Anoa'i can pin Truth for the title next!
#2 Best: Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens
So, Kevin Owens and Kofi Kingston renewed their rivalry as they started off SmackDown Live this week with a great match. It wasn't really AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins in terms of match quality but it was a good match and sometimes that's all that matters. I mean last night you had 1.5 minutes of action in the first hour of WWE RAW.
Kofi Kingston obviously picked up the win but it was quite an even affair. I especially liked the fact that Kevin Owens said that he was not the person that attacked Big E. It does seem like we have a mystery on our hands, going forward.
Also, I really do want to see Kevin Owens as the WWE Champion at some point in the future. I want to see how good he can potentially be as Champion, without Chris Jericho by his side to support him.
#2 Worst: The Roman vs. Shane feud
I really don't mean any disrespect to the two gentlemen involved in this feud, but I can't be the only one that feels that this program is not very exciting. And the worst part is that Drew McIntyre, who should have been a star in his own right by now, is just Shane McMahon's stooge because of this unfortunate program.
Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon does sound like a program that's worthy of a big stage like Super ShowDown, but somehow it hasn't panned out well truth be told. And this could be because of the Wild Card Rule, I feel. Because we see this program unfold on both RAW and SmackDown Live, it just does not feel very exciting.
I really think that the screen time allotted to this feud could be used to showcase WWE's hidden gems like Shinsuke Nakamura. Or has he been lost in the shuffle entirely?
#3 Best: Pick a fight!
For a long time now, Aleister Black has been speaking in riddles. Many experts have claimed that they know what he's been talking about but I don't think even WWE Creative knows yet.
So, I loved the departure from the norm this week when Aleister Black invited somebody, anybody, to pick a fight with him. Freddie Mercury may have wanted somebody to love, but Aleister Black wants somebody he can fight with.
Black is far too talented a Superstar and also too gifted a performer to be sitting on the sidelines when, honestly, he should be in the ring competing with the finest talents that SmackDown has to offer on a weekly basis. The longer he is not in the ring, the more momentum he will lose, I feel.
The good news is that he seems ready to take someone on and this should lead to his first main roster singles feud.
#3 Worst: Wasting Sonya Deville?
I'm glad that Mandy Rose is getting a push on TV because she is exactly the kind of Superstar that WWE looks for. But at the same time, I am worried that Sonya Deville may just get slotted as a mid-carder thanks to just being Mandy Rose's sidekick.
Sonya Deville was the woman that carried Mandy Rose on her back up the ladder at WWE Money in the Bank, which was a feat of incredible strength. It is just sad that this aspect of her personality is not being showcased on TV.
One could say the same thing about Xavier Woods, who's not been in a meaningful program ever since SmackDown Live became the Kofi Kingston show. But at least he's popular and over with the crowd which Sonya Deville isn't.
I wouldn't mind her turning on Mandy Rose to kickstart a program between the two women.
#4 Best/worst: The Planet's Tag Team Champions vs. Heavy Machinery
Let me begin this section by saying that as a heavy metal fan, I was thrilled to see Erick Rowan support Sabaton. That aside, I don't know how excited I am about Daniel Bryan and Rowan taking on Heavy Machinery. Doesn't it feel like this is a step down for the duo?
I would have ideally liked to see them take on a team that could go toe-to-toe with them in an in-ring battle. Maybe someone like Big E and Xavier Woods, if the former wasn't injured. Or maybe even Aleister Black, with a brand new partner.
This is definitely good for Heavy Machinery though and I do hope they make use of this opportunity to impress those watching backstage. Thankfully, you cannot have a bad match against Daniel Bryan.
Leave a comment with your thoughts and views, folks! No Goddess tonight, but here's Kayla Braxton for you!
