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The second edition of the blue brand for 2018 was a solid show that served to steadily heat up the important players prior to the Royal Rumble. There wasn't anything too exciting, nor was there anything atrocious. There were problems, though. In addition to an uncreative rematch that went nowhere, there was a puzzling decision that conjures up bad memories of WWE's poor creative trends over the past decade.
Good booking: Heating Becky up
After announcing her entry into the women's Royal Rumble match, Becky Lynch returned to singles competition against Ruby Riott. Although the match was formulaic (strong babyface start, heel controlling the middle through boring rest holds, babyface comeback), she won.
The match wasn't anything to brag about, but it at least put some wind in Becky's sails heading into Philadelphia. The Riott Squad is dead anyway and only exists as a zombie now, so it was the right call.
Good booking: bludgeoning runs rampant
In their most impressive showing to date, the Bludgeon Brothers destroyed the Ascension in a little over a minute. It was flawless booking, making the duo look like the undisputed biggest threat in the tag team division.
Though the tag team titles will be contested between other teams for now, the Bludgeon Brothers aren't too far out of contention and as WrestleMania draws closer, the champs better be worried.
Good booking: Mojo destroys the hype again
Sure, it was another rematch, but it did its job in building Mojo Rawley as a serious threat that Bobby Roode will need to overcome en route to his title aspirations. In that sense, the match was fine.
Good booking: "free the titles!"
I was wary of seeing these two coming down to the ring to cut a promo, but it exceeded my expectations. Chad Gable is underrated on the mic and Shelton Benjamin surprised me. Sure, he drew cheap heat, but that's what heels are supposed to do.
This resulted in Daniel Bryan making a two out of three falls match for the titles at the Royal Rumble. There's no way that match will be bad.
Unfortunately, the show would go downhill from here.
Bad booking: Rusev Day stolen
Over and over again we've seen WWE pass up or deliberately kill hot acts that get over organically. As over as Rusev and Aiden English have become by celebrating Rusev Day every day, I've also watched warily as I know this company's history.
Last night we might have seen the beginning of an ugly process, as Rusev and English lost to the lowly Breezango via the company's favourite finisher - the Rollup of Doom.
The crowd was usually dead last night and Rusev was one of the bright spots. There was no reason for this.
Bad booking: The Shane McMahon Show
Now that Jinder Mahal is blissfully no longer champion, the blue brand's biggest problem, by far, is its transformation into the Shane McMahon show. Sure, he at least has matches that are pretty good...every once in a while. His feuds can be pretty good too. Yet, his constant presence has become odious and he's taking more than he's giving.
Case in point, last night. First, he booked what was essentially a rematch (minus Jinder Mahal). Then he simply prevented Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens from getting over as heel threats ahead of their handicap match with AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble with his constant interference.
Unfortunately, another consequence is now to make the title feel like an afterthought in comparison to the doings of Shane McMahon. The feud with Owens and Zayn is still a good one, but this chapter of it hasn't been executed well.
