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RAW was loaded with a whole bunch of top Superstars, but in my opinion, they just failed to deliver. Stone Cold Steve Austin delivering a stunner to Byron Saxton did nothing for me and even though The Undertaker's contract signing had its moments, it was still hardly anything to write home about.
SmackDown in comparison, much like last week's episode, was a much better show than WWE RAW was. It did help that even though there was a recap, it wasn't an entire men's Royal Rumble match, at the very least.
So, what did I like and what did I dislike about this week's show, you ask? I have the answer right here for you, in this very column.
Be sure to leave a message and let me know if you enjoyed this show and how hyped did it get you for WrestleMania. Are you as hyped as Mojo Rawley was?
#1 Best: Sasha vs. Bayley at long last
Under ordinary circumstances, I would have said that Bayley defending her SmackDown Women's Championship in a multi-woman match at WrestleMania is a major step down for her. I mean she has been a fantastic Champion thus far, and the least that she deserved was a chance to defend her title in a singles match.
But the fact that Sasha Banks is in the match, moving on from the role of a sidekick to someone who wants Bayley's title makes it worthwhile. Did anyone catch the sinister smile from Sasha Banks after Paige made the match?
Also, how good a promo is Paige? Even though she merely played a cameo in this week's show, she made the announcement of the big match at WrestleMania seem a lot more significant than it would have otherwise been.
#1 Worst: No Triple H on commentary this week
I have the greatest of respect for Michael Cole, who is a man who's been the voice of WWE for many years now. He has a fantastic voice and through all of the changes that the company has undergone, he's been the anchor who's stood firm.
And because of the same reason, even though he did a commendable job, he was a presenter in the WWE-style, if you know what I mean. Triple H was around last week to liven things up and just make things a lot more interesting, adding flavor and 'color' to the commentary desk.
It just seemed that without Triple H at the commentary desk, this week's episode of WWE SmackDown just seemed flat and very underwhelming. Maybe if Corey Graves was to return from quarantine, things would become more interesting than they currently are.
I wonder what the combination will be at WrestleMania, to be quite honest with you. Will it be just Michael Cole calling the matches on SmackDown or will he have someone else for company?
#2 Best: Dolph Ziggler costs Otis his big opportunity
Okay, can we just start off by saying what a fabulous job Miz and Morrison did at the top of the show when it came to the skit regarding all the teams they could face? Not only did they do a great job parodying The New Day and Heavy Machinery, but they were spot on when it came to The Usos as well. But even that wasn't the best thing about the segment that ensued because we saw a different side of Otis that we haven't seen thus far.
Just when it seemed like Otis and Tucker had a realistic chance of becoming victors in the match that was happening, you had Dolph Ziggler coming out and showing Otis pictures of him and Mandy Rose. And that caused the blue-collar worker to snap and take out his ire and his frustrations on his opponents, costing them a big opportunity.
WWE has the chance to book Otis and Dolph Ziggler now and it will be a match with the audience hoping and praying that Ziggler gets his due for his actions.
#2 Worst: Rob Gronkowski
Maybe I ain't hype. Maybe the fact of the matter is that I've never watched football in my life (the kind you play with your hands and/or your feet) and so I have no appreciation for a legend in the game like Rob Gronkowski. And because of this very reason, I pinged my friend and colleague Greg Bush, who's a big NFL fan, to ask if he disliked the segment at the top of the show as much as I did.
The answer was a resounding yes, and hence, I'm convinced that this certainly wasn't the best way to debut The Gronk. While I do have a passing knowledge of MMA, it's not like I am the resident Ariel Helwani either. And yet, when Ronda Rousey made her WWE debut, it seemed like a big deal because of the way she was presented to the audience.
I daresay that had this segment happened in front of a live crowd, the audience in attendance would not have taken too kindly to the segment, serenading the performers in massive boos.
#3 Best: The contract signing
There's a big and real feel to the whole Roman Reigns and Goldberg feud. The contract signing segment this week did not feel like it was a sports entertainment skit in my personal opinion. It felt like there were two rugged and seasoned fighters meeting in the middle of the ring to settle their score.
I loved the fact that WWE showed us their hand and told us this week on SmackDown that the seeds for this feud had been planted a long time ago, especially if you consider that Roman Reigns sent out a tweet mocking Goldberg in January 2020. Also, Roman Reigns running down the list of legends that he'd dethroned during his career made it seem like he did have a realistic chance of stopping this unstoppable force to some degree.
I loved the fact that the contract signing ended with the two men facing off and the first time that they actually touch gloves will be inside a wrestling ring because it builds a sense of anticipation.
#3 Worst: The recap
Why did I mention this segment and not Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn at WrestleMania on the last page of this countdown? Because I think that it was a given the way that things lined up last week and honestly, if you expected anything else, I doubt you've watched too much wrestling.
But a definite worst was sitting though a match that we've already seen in the past. I know that a limited number of performers may have been present on set, but WWE had the chance to fill up this time with backstage promos and the like, but they chose to show us John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt once again.
In any case, next week's show should be interesting and I really enjoyed how WWE teased much that's going to happen on that show, this week. I am really pumped to see Bliss and Cross against The Kabuki Warriors because the Women's Tag Team Championships deserve all the limelight that they can get.
In any case, please rate the show out of 10 in the comments below.
