Best and Worst of SmackDown before Extreme Rules 2021: WWE teases singles run for 2-time Champion, Mistake made with popular star? 

It was an incredible episode of SmackDown before Extreme Rules 2021. While there were only a few matches, it was an action-packed episode with a lot of great storyline progression ahead of Extreme Rules 2021.

Next week's episode of SmackDown will be a huge one. It's the first of two nights of the WWE Draft 2021. It begins on the blue brand and continues three days later on RAW.

If the WWE Draft proves to be a big shake-up, then this could be the end of an era on SmackDown. But before that, here were the best and worst parts of an incredible episode of SmackDown before Extreme Rules 2021.

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#3 Best: WWE's use of Montez Ford against Roman Reigns on SmackDown

Many fans have suggested that when The Street Profits break up, Montez Ford will be the breakout star and not Angelo Dawkins. The latter wasn't available for SmackDown this week, meaning there was an opportunity to test Montez Ford as a singles star.

This is exactly what WWE did. Ahead of The Street Profits' SmackDown Tag Team title challenge against The Usos at Extreme Rules, Montez Ford cut a good promo. In that promo, he insulted the Bloodline, infuriating Roman Reigns.

The Tribal Chief told Paul Heyman to arrange a match between him and Montez Ford for SmackDown, seemingly wanting to teach the two-time Tag Team champion a lesson. Although Paul Heyman advised against it, Reigns insisted and got the match booked.

The match itself was good, getting quite nearly a quarter of the show. That's a lot of TV time for Ford, who thrived in the main event against Roman Reigns. The Street Profits member was never going to beat Roman Reigns in the main event of SmackDown, but even after tapping out to the guillotine, he looked good in defeat.

This was WWE's opportunity and they teased Montez Ford as a singles star. They did so with Big Cass in 2016 when Enzo Amore was out with a concussion, but the circumstances are obviously different.

Apart from just this, Demon Balor's appearance to take out The Bloodline was great as well. Perhaps a bit ill-timed, however, as Montez Ford had already been sent through the table.

#2 Worst: The handling of Liv Morgan on SmackDown

Liv Morgan had a match against Zelina Vega on SmackDown ahead of her clash against Carmella at Extreme Rules 2021. The assumption was that the bout was meant to make Liv Morgan look good before the pay-per-view.

That was the opposite of what happened. Carmella made sure to make her presence known for the match on SmackDown and ultimately played a big role in Liv Morgan's downfall.

A distraction from Carmella led to Vega picking up the sneak victory over Liv Morgan on SmackDown. It was a jaw-dropping decision, especially given the level of popularity that Liv Morgan has with the WWE Universe.

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#2 Best: The handling of Naomi on SmackDown

Naomi has long been one of the most underutilized stars on the SmackDown roster. It's been a while since she has been involved in a proper storyline, but that streak seems to have ended.

Naomi's weekly clash with Sonya Deville seems to be no coincidence. This week on SmackDown, Naomi came out for an open challenge, only for the WWE Official to block her again.

Naomi then challenged Sonya Deville to a match, with the latter claiming she would wipe the floor with the former SmackDown Women's Champion.

It seems as though Naomi will be the first woman to welcome Sonya Deville back into the ring after more than 13 months away. It's a fitting storyline, and it does justice to Naomi, who should ideally be one of the main stars of the SmackDown Women's division.

#1 Worst: The Intercontinental title match on SmackDown

Ever since crowds returned, Apollo Crews' use on SmackDown reduced. For some reason, WWE seemed to be bored of his Intercontinental Championship reign and decided to make the change, which favored King Nakamura.

There's no doubt that King Nakamura and Rick Boogs have more momentum, but the Intercontinental title match on SmackDown wasn't a good one. It felt like it ended before it could even get started, and Nakamura swiftly beat Apollo Crews to end their feud.

It was a bit underwhelming. While we understand WWE wanting to make the Intercontinental title SmackDown-exclusive, there isn't much being done to justify that decision.

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#1 Best: The SmackDown Women's title feud

SmackDown kicked off with a great segment between Women's Champion Becky Lynch and challenger Bianca Belair. It was a fun war of words to hype up their SmackDown Women's title match.

Bianca Belair held her own, and despite Becky Lynch getting cheered, she didn't seem rattled by the crowd reaction at all. If anything, it's the sign of a future great. Belair ended the segment standing tall after hitting the KOD, with Lynch later vowing to end The EST Of WWE.

The only thing this match is missing is a good stipulation. Apart from that, the build has been good, and Bianca Belair might end up looking better despite having a high chance of losing on Sunday.