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Best and worst of WWE SmackDown from the Performance Center- Big return, Major absence 

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified Mar 14, 2020 08:34 IST
John Cena and Bray Wyatt squared off on WWE SmackDown
John Cena and Bray Wyatt squared off on WWE SmackDown

Let me begin by asking each one of our readers to please stay safe. Just like the WWE roster depends on the audience to spur them on, we do what we do for you, the reader, and your safety and well-being is of paramount importance to us.

With that said, what an honor it was to call this unique episode of WWE SmackDown from the Performance Center. I've covered the first all-women WrestleMania main-event during my tenure with Sportskeeda and also the historic return of the Hardys, but this ranks as the most unique show that I remember writing about.

WWE did the best that they could with the limited resources that they had, and so the show was far from perfect, in my personal opinion. However, let's give them the benefit of the doubt because they kept going when the chips were down.

And without further ado, I present the 'Best and Worst' of WWE SmackDown from the WWE Performance Center.

#1 Best: Jeff Hardy's return

Matt Hardy may no longer be a part of the company, but Jeff Hardy is back and he made quite an impression tussling with King Corbin. In fact, I wouldn't have been okay with King Corbin suffering another loss, considering that he's probably the biggest heel on SmackDown after The Fiend, but because it was against a returning Jeff Hardy, I know that he had to create the biggest impression possible.

Hardy's arrival was necessary this week, not merely to involve him in the thick of things, but because SmackDown really needs a strong babyface. Elias and Triple H were both entertaining on commentary during the match and I thought that it was good television content all around despite the circumstances under which the match happened.

#1 Worst: No Paige

Perhaps the biggest disappointment this week was that Paige could not make it to the show. We all expected a showdown between Paige and Bayley, to maybe set up a historic match, but this was impossible because of the travel restrictions owing to the horrors currently plaguing the world.

Maybe it was for the best because if Paige was really coming back to the ring, her return should have been announced in front of a packed arena. For her to say that she would be returning at WrestleMania to an empty arena would have just taken the impact out of the arena entirely.

And yes, maybe it is wishful thinking with regard to Paige and her segment may have had nothing to do with an in-ring return at all, but I can't imagine another role for her unless it was in a managerial role for someone on the current roster. And I can't imagine who it will be.

Let's see what the future holds for Paige. And if there indeed is a WrestleMania, who do you think Bayley faces at the 'Show of Shows?'

#2 Best: Asuka attacks Alexa Bliss

Well, one thing that we know is that Asuka and Kairi Sane will be facing Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross for the Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania from the way that the pieces have all lined up. Provided that WrestleMania does happen this year, I suppose.

I love the fact that Asuka showed up out of the blue during the match between Bayley and Sasha Banks against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Can we also have a round of applause for Triple H on commentary who was just on fire for the course of the broadcast with many jokes and quips galore?

It almost seems like Asuka has discovered a comedic well in her that she's reached into and drunk from because she seems like a very different performer these days. It's time for me to commit sacrilege and say that I like this version of Asuka a lot more than the undefeated champion that she was in NXT and when she first came up to RAW because that character has a shelf life but this one does not.

#2 Worst: Replaying an entire match

Very honestly, this was the lowest point of SmackDown. I get why WWE had to do the segment but showcasing an entire match from a pay-per-view that just concluded made things very dull indeed. One assumes that everyone who has tuned in to watch SmackDown is all caught up and has seen this match already, so this felt like a big waste of time.

Also, it helped showcase the disparity that exists when an arena is full and when it is empty and sucked the wind out of the current experience. Impact Wrestling does a lot of these flashbacks during their episodes and while I get the purpose that they serve, they remind us that there used to be a point when things were better and crowds were much hotter.

I'm just dreading the thought of watching multiple recaps during an episode of RAW because the company will have three hours to fill and when their back is against a wall, they may have no choice but to air segments from Elimination Chamber 2020.

#3 Best: The John Cena and Bray Wyatt confrontation

There were so many masters of the microphone on the show today, from Roman Reigns, who cut a passionate and a heartfelt promo in an interview segment to Miz and Morrison who were hilarious and played off the empty arena aspect to cut a really funny promo. Triple H was great on commentary as well, displaying a different side to his personality that we have not seen in some time.

But when John Cena picked up the microphone, we could see why he is considered to be a level above the rest of the roster. He may have pulled the curtain back on the business with the topic of 'burials', but in 2020, I think that it is okay.

And then Bray Wyatt would enter the picture and cut a very unique promo of his own that would of his own as his ominous laughter rang through the empty arena, giving a very dark undertone to the segment that was in progress between two of the greatest ever.

#3 Worst: No audience

Props to the performers for trying to make the best of the situation but there was just something missing through the entire show. Miz and Morrison were hilarious during their promo and John Cena and Bray Wyatt were fantastic as usual, but it just seemed hollow somehow without an audience present.

Imagine how fantastically Daniel Bryan and Cesaro could have worked the crowd had the two masters of the craft actually tussled in front of a packed crowd, right? I do hope that we get that match once more in front of the audience that it deserves.

It's a trying time for the world right now and all we need to do is to be careful and be aware of the threat that is all around us. And maybe the more beautiful things in the world can make it alright again.

In closing can we please thank the men and women of WWE for putting on a show despite the odds? Thank you for everything you did for us this evening, people.

One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE