'%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)
This week's episode of SmackDown certainly had both ups and downs in equal measure. Overall, I thought that it was a pretty fun show but maybe not a very eventful show.
Nothing of significance honestly happened during the course of the broadcast and this makes me believe that a lot of Superstars will remain in limbo until the Royal Rumble. Maybe individual storylines for WrestleMania 36 will only kick in once the pay-per-view is over and done.
I suppose that it doesn't make a lot of sense to book individual storylines at the moment, as the concept of the next pay-per-view is an over-the-top-rope contest, where storylines aren't as important as other clashes. With that said, I invite you guys to leave a comment and rate every match from SmackDown at this link here.
Let me know in the comments below if you enjoyed the show or not, this week.
#1 Best: Otis and Mandy
Otis gets a huge reception every week when he comes out to compete and I do strongly believe that WWE missed an opportunity by not having them take on The New Day at TLC. But they have redeemed themselves with a very interesting storyline romance between Otis and Mandy Rose.
This kind of storyline is definitely going to work because, in many ways, Otis represents the typical wrestling fan, a blue-collar man who's fallen for a girl who is way out of his league. And it also gives Mandy Rose something to do on television, in addition to allowing for a crossover male-female storyline to take place.
I especially loved the part when Mandy Rose hugged Otis after his match and instantly regretted it because she got sweat all over her dress. It may take Otis some time to woo Mandy Rose yet.
#1 Worst: No Roman or Fiend, hardly any Bliss
I thought that WWE missed a trick or two by not having Alexa Bliss show up this week after the amazing promo she cut on WWE Backstage. I mean she did show up in a backstage segment but it would have been amazing to have her cut a promo in front of a live crowd, this week.
But not having Roman Reigns on the show seemed like a very big dampener to me, personally because it would have been interesting to see what was next for The Big Dog, personally. While The Fiend's music played to end the show, he wasn't seen either!
Honestly speaking, the lack of top stars affected the show adversely in my opinion. While Daniel Bryan and King Corbin were around, I don't think The Miz and Dolph Ziggler are quite in the main event league anymore, and it showed!
#2 Best: Braun Strowman in the Intercontinental Championship picture
Braun Strowman vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is honestly a feud that I can get behind. Especially if it is for the Intercontinental Championship because it's been relegated to the sidelines for far too long. It's also a fresh feud and something a little different from what we're used to usually seeing.
Braun Strowman needs some singles gold and honestly, it's more the man than the title, to be fair. If Braun Strowman holds the gold, he will, in turn, elevate the Intercontinental Championship to the next level. Even if Strowman were to lose to Nakamura, it would make Nakamura a much bigger star than he is right now.
The seeds for the program were sown this week and I can honestly see this match take place at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Maybe Strowman faces Sami Zayn and Cesaro until then!
#2 Worst: Sheamus or Emmalina?
Sheamus is in the best shape of his life at the moment. I also like the way that his return is being hyped up and the promos look sleek and awesome, in true WWE fashion. I'm just a little concerned that WWE is taking far too long to book Sheamus' big comeback.
The fact that his return did not come out of the blue has already ruined the surprise element of his comeback. Had he made his comeback sooner, at least, there would be an element of excitement when the fans finally got to see him, in his former avatar once again. Unfortunately, because of the vignettes, that aspect has been ruined already.
And now, the longer Sheamus takes to make a comeback, the less excited fans are, honestly. Let's just hope that he does not become the next Emmalina where his comeback becomes a joke.
#3 Best/Worst: Carmella wins but Sonya loses
Remember how I said that I was glad Mandy Rose was getting more TV time and a brand new role? I wonder if that automatically means that her tag team partner Sonya Deville will suffer, as a result.
For obvious reasons, Mandy Rose was always going to be the breakout star of the group and even though Sonya Deville had a unique look with the whole WWE shtick, she could not compare to legitimate MMA stars like Ronda Rousey. And I wonder if this means that she will be used as enhancement talent only.
However, I'm glad that Carmella is getting TV time and also picked up a win on this week's show because she is immensely gifted as we saw during her 24/7 Championship stint recently. Maybe this is the beginning for a new push for her, to take on someone like Bayley for her Championship.
#3 Best/Worst: The New Day's current situation
The SmackDown Tag Team Division is a little weird right now if you consider the lack of competition for The New Day and their Championships. Heavy Machinery are clearly the best challengers possible at this time, but the issue with them is that they are beloved babyfaces just like The New Day are.
I like the fact that they are showcased on every show, but there's just been a lack of excitement in the tag team division for a while now. I thought the match between The New Day and The Revival at TLC was the contest of the night by far, but that's all that they have been doing- putting on good matches.
I suppose that turning them heel is not really a solution because the crowd loves them so very much. So, they're stuck in a limbo of sorts, at this time.
In a way, so is The Goddess, who doesn't have an active feud right now.
For more details about storylines, matchcards of WrestleMania 36 visit: Wrestlemania 36
