'%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, SmackDown saw Road Dogg take over commentary on behalf of Corey Graves. Additionally, Paul Heyman hyped Solo Sikoa following his Crown Jewel match against John Cena, taunting the WWE legend for not being present to face his failures.
Let's dive into the best and worst from the latest edition of SmackDown:
Best: The Street Profits picking up their pace again, becoming #1 contenders for the tag team titles
Trending
Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford are an impressive tag team, winning each brand's titles for one reign.
Their alliance with Bobby Lashley enabled them to showcase their grim and dark side. The revamp of their personas to suited and booted stars with a toned-down entrance theme worked in their favor. The dominant duo won the RAW and SmackDown Tag Team Championships on separate occasions in 2020.
On the latest edition of SmackDown, they defeated The Brawling Brutes and Pretty Deadly to become the #1 contenders for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles. The current champions, Finn Balor and Damian Priest, have annihilated the division.
Another title run for the Street Profits would cement their legacy and create a platform for them to display their dominance, too.
Worst: Cameron Grimes' booking on SmackDown
Austin Theory and Grayson Waller have been running amuck on SmackDown, mocking whoever comes their way. Their tactics with Kevin Owens got him suspended last week.
Theory was on commentary this week while Grayson Waller faced Cameron Grimes in singles competition. The 30-year-old was drafted to the blue brand this year as part of the WWE Draft. His limited television time and lack of feuds have heavily impacted his connection with wrestling fans. Cameron Grimes upheld a reasonably impressive fanbase on NXT, but the same is yet to be done on the main roster.
When leaving commentary, Austin Theory mocked and called out Road Dogg, who was taking over the role in Corey Graves' absence.
Best: Cody Rhodes possibly finding a new alliance on SmackDown?
Cody Rhodes has kept busy since forging an alliance with Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso for WarGames against The Judgment Day.
With Nick Aldis at the helm of SmackDown's leadership, he is never keen on seeing RAW stars upstage his show. The American Nightmare was spotted in his office this week and proceeded to have a conversation with the WWE Official.
The main event match featured LA Knight against Jimmy Uso for the major upset the latter caused at Crown Jewel. The match was interrupted by Solo Sikoa, but Knight ended up winning anyway. In the aftermath of the bout, The Bloodline members pounced on the 41-year-old, leaving The American Nightmare to even the numbers game.
His team needs a fifth member for Survivor Series: WarGames. The former champion could contact LA Knight to take his spot with Kevin Owens being suspended. It would be apt, given the hype and fan backing the witty talker has in the WWE Universe.
Worst: Lack of build-up in Carlito's match against Santos Escobar at Survivor Series
Carlito officially re-signed with WWE nearly four months ago, but his television time since then has been abysmal. He saved Rey Mysterio from Santos Escobar's outburst last week but failed to confront him with much effort for his actions.
This week on the blue brand, Escobar talked about his betrayal and agreed with Dominik Mysterio's comments about his father. Zelina Vega walked out to talk some sense into him but failed to do so. Escobar mocked former Legado Del Fantasma members Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro's inadequacy to do anything about it.
Carlito ran out for a save, but Escobar escaped the ring by then. While it suits the storyline for the former United States Champion to take over while Rey Mysterio is out due to injury. The lack of a promo and the intensity of a feud between the two disintegrates the hype of a sudden match at a Premium Live Event.
Best: Becky Lynch as the final member of the Women's WarGames match
SmackDown kicked off with Damage CTRL addressing its new alliances and officially adding Asuka and Kairi Sane to their faction. They were interrupted by Shotzi, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair, and a fight broke out.
Later, Nick Aldis gave Flair, Belair, and Shotzi an ultimatum to find a fourth member for a women's WarGames match by the end of the night. The trio seemingly came across a few potential candidates in Mia Yim and Zelina Vega, who got attacked by Damage CTRL.
Charlotte Flair 'made a call to a friend' who was later revealed to be her former friend turned rival, Becky Lynch. Many anticipated it would be Jade Cargill, given the hype surrounding her debut and teasers. The Man and Flair clashed at Survivor Series 2021 in a Champion vs. Champion match, putting their titles on the line and their real-life friendship.
Two years later, Flair and Lynch have joined forces to take down Bayley, Kairi Sane, IYO SKY, and Asuka at the same Premium Live Event. The revelation garnered mixed reactions from the WWE Universe as they look forward to her future following NXT.
Check out the updated Survivor Series match card here.
