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No, it's not just because of the fact that it's an hour short, guys. There's something about the blue brand where the pace is frenzied and the action is non-stop from start to finish. Everything just feels like there's a sense of purpose to it. That's not the case with RAW, except on select occasions.
And this is why this week's episode of SmackDown Live was clearly the better brand of the two. The WWE roster knew that they had a point to prove after RAW's dismal viewership and prove a point they did! It was a fantastic show in every single respect.
Here is my assessment of this week's episode, which I thought was pretty great. So overall, I'd say there were far more positives than negatives.
But that said, I'd like to hear your thoughts and comments as well.
#1 Best: Bayley impresses again
Bayley has just been one of those overlooked individuals on the roster who's just not been given her due credit. She was great in NXT but ever since she got called up to RAW, it just seemed like she got a little lost in the shuffle, and the WWE Universe turned on her as well, not realizing her potential.
But I have to admit that she has just turned her fortunes around on SmackDown Live and the blue brand seems like it's a much better fit for her. Even though she lost her match on this week's show, she reminded us how good she is again.
And she had done much the same last week as well. I daresay that she is looking much better now even compared to when she was the Women's Tag Team Champion.
Maybe a stint in the blue brand just freshens you up significantly.
#1 Worst: The Hardyz relinquish the tag team championships
When you enter the ring, you know that you're opening yourself up to a whole bunch of injuries. Unfortunately, Jeff Hardy is the latest WWE Superstar to be injured and as a result, the Hardyz relinquished their titles.
It is a real shame that the 'greatest tag team in all space and time' did not get a proper run with the titles that they value so dearly. And if you actually look at it, with The New Day in the singles division and with The Usos on RAW, the SmackDown Tag Team division is finally the weaker one.
The Hardy Boyz could certainly have been the frontrunners of this division and taken tag team wrestling to new heights once again. Unfortunately, such won't be the case.
The B Team lost to one man, even if he is Roman Reigns, further burying the entire division.
#2 Best: Creating an opportunity from a disaster
I loved the fact that WWE attributed Jeff Hardy's injury to Lars Sullivan. Sullivan is being pushed as the Braun Strowman of SmackDown Live and it is clear that he will be working with a veteran like R-Truth. In due time, he could even be working with someone like Matt Hardy.
Sullivan was made to look absolutely bulletproof as he took out both Matt Hardy and R-Truth this week. I was critical of him taking out The Hardy Boyz shortly after they both became Champions. But now that they're no longer in possession of the gold, I thought that this was a good move.
Lars Sullivan is slowly being built up to the upper mid card and possibly even to the top of the card, as someone who just runs through his competition. This was possibly the first chapter in his epic saga.
#2 Worst: Sonya Deville just gives up her spot
Shane McMahon had stipulated that either Mandy Rose or Sonya Deville would go on to the Money In The Bank ladder match. It is clear that Mandy Rose has been pushed heavily in recent months because she is the complete package. But it was just strange how easily WWE made Sonya Deville give up her spot.
I really do hope that this is leading into a storyline. Because if not, I cannot fathom why Deville would just relinquish an opportunity to hold the Money In The Bank briefcase from a character standpoint? Doesn't everyone come into WWE to capture the gold?
I just found it odd that WWE would book such an angle and I'm hoping that there's a payoff for both women from a long term perspective. Even for a company that makes many questionable booking decisions, this was quite puzzling indeed.
#3 Best: Money In The Bank participants announced888888
Look, WWE currently has a roster that is way more stacked than it has ever been. With that in mind, the picks for the Money In The Bank match aren't really that bad.
I mean you could always say that superstars like Aleister Black and Ruby Riott needed to be in the match. But I'm certain that there are bigger plans for the two and the list of contestants that made the cut is actually quite an impressive one.
It would have been fun to do qualifying matches for both the men's and women's ladder matches but then again, in a lot of those cases, the results are quite obvious. So I don't mind the way that we were informed of the Money In The Bank contestants, to be fair.
Right now, let's just hope that both the matches are just as good as well!
#3 Worst: Making the contestants team up
Tom Phillips had a hilarious night manning the booth where he mentioned that at Money In The Bank, it's every man for himself. And during the very same show, two teams were made of the four male competitors who will be competing from the blue brand and a tag team match was booked.
This wasn't the only mistake he made during the course of the night. I believe he said that there are rumors that Jeff Hardy is injured, as he hobbled in on crutches in that very segment.
Let me just say that Finn Balor, Ali, Randy Orton, and Andrade did fine, but the concept of the match was completely off. But well, I've complained about this for years to really no avail.
Also, why have Andrade take the microphone and cut the promo when Zelina Vega is by his side for the very same purpose?
#4 Best/worst: Reigns vs. The B-Team
Everyone still harps on about why Roman Reigns is not a good sports entertainer. If you saw this promo on this week's show, and the back and forth with Shane McMahon, you'd know that he's improved by leaps and bounds. He's much more confident on the microphone and can hold his own against anyone in the current roster.
But I did not like the idea of the B-Team getting squashed on their very first night on SmackDown, especially if you consider how weak the tag team division is. I mean my colleague Soumik wanted to do an article about 5 teams that could become the next tag team champions, and he ran out of names. The division is on life support and needs major help.
Well, you know what they can do. They can visit a Goddess for blessings.
And what do you know...here she is!
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