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The biggest winner of SmackDown last night, and the superstar shakeup was SmackDown itself. It's actually amazing just how far ahead SmackDown came of Raw this time around. While Raw mostly got mid-card acts that didn't have much momentum, the blue brand is now loaded with star power. The question remains whether it can use its new acquisitions right.
How did it do at the start of this WWE New Year? Let's find out.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
The newly-crowned United States Champion took his title back with him to SmackDown as he defeated Shelton Benjamin in his debut. While it's puzzling that he won't be "Brother Nero" with Matt Hardy, there's no doubt that his presence is a welcome addition, one which promises to "shake up" a beyond stale SmackDown mid-card.
With Bobby Roode, Baron Corbin, and Jinder Mahal gone, Jeff Hardy has a slew of fresh feuds awaiting him, with Randy Orton potentially being one of them.
Loser: The Miz
The Miz was heeling it up, as usual, cutting one of his characteristically good promos and setting up the rivalry with Daniel Bryan that fans have waited to see for two years.
Unfortunately, he brought his infant daughter into the promo with him. If you're trying to get heel heat, showing that you love babies isn't the best thing to do. The whole thing felt incongruent.
It's a minor slight and not damaging in the slightest to The Miz, but ultimately the oversight meant that the promo didn't serve its purpose.
Winner: Samoa Joe
To the surprise of all, Samoa Joe was brought in to SmackDown. This is a fantastic development. His talent was wasted on Raw, butting up against Roman Reigns but never breaking through the ceiling. Now, Joe can have more leeway to develop himself and have fresh feuds.
Many enticing matches await, and Joe didn't waste any time, calling out Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles in an excellent promo.
Business just picked up.
Loser: Carmella and The IIconics
The "Mellabration" segment was well-choreographed. The problem was that Carmella met with very little response, despite her best efforts. If history tells us anything, that response will dwindle further in the coming weeks.
The match following it, between Charlotte Flair and Billie Kay, served as a reminder of the latter's weakness in the ring, and Charlotte's own flaws, namely, that her performance depends very much on who she shares the squared circle with.
Promising as it was, the segment looked like a dud until a certain someone made her return.
Winner: Asuka
Looking none the worse for wear after her historic WrestleMania loss, Asuka returned to television for the first time since then to a tremendous response, revealed as the blue brand's latest acquisition.
Going back to her NXT roots and laying a beatdown on the IIconics, SmackDown's women's division suddenly looks very promising, and a long, slow-burn rivalry to a rematch with Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam would be just what the doctor ordered to fix the mistakes made on the blue brand in the past year. In fact, the match would have the potential to be the first women's singles contest to main event a "Big Four" WWE pay-per-view.
Winner: Big Cass
Unfortunately, the least enticing of SmackDown's latest acquisitions was one of the most impactful. Big Cass looked to start a rivalry with Daniel Bryan all the while Shinsuke Nakamura continues his with AJ Styles.
This is concerning. Big Cass is no Braun Strowman. His rivalry with Enzo and the Big Show was undoubtedly one of 2017's worst and all of his talents are very limited. It would be a waste of Daniel Bryan and harmful to the quality of what could potentially be a great show to keep the leader of the Yes Movement occupied with Cass for too long.
The best use of the big man would be as The Miz's muscle. Many have suggested that arrangement. I hope that's what happens.
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