'%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's SmackDown proved a disappointing failure to live up to its potential. While all of the main feuds on the blue brand are hot, this episode certainly wasn't. While it was certainly better than Raw, this week's SmackDown demonstrated that the show is now resting on its laurels as it builds to Hell in a Cell, seemingly figuring that the programs are hot enough, so why bother putting in more effort?
Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.
The result was the disappointing episode we got last night.
Who got the most and least from last night's show?
Loser: Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega
This was simply inexcusable.
After doing a good job of protecting Andrade "Cien" Almas last week, one of the brightest rising stars in the company and his manager Zelina Vega were sacrificed not once, but two times, on the altar of a Brie Bella whose return has already overstayed its welcome.
While Bryan's program with the Miz is hot, the involvement of their wives has cooled it off from last month, and the sooner those two are gone from the programming, the better. Sadly, that likely won't be until after Evolution, which is looking more and more like a glorified PR stunt than an actual worthy show to watch.
Almas losing to a top star like Bryan isn't deadly by itself, but coming back afterward at the end of the show just so he and Vega can be used as a plot device to send a message to Miz and Maryse? That was terrible booking.
Almas looked like he was on the upswing in August, but his post-SummerSlam days haven't been so bright. Hopefully, he'll have something better to do soon.
Speaking of...Shinsuke Nakamura wasn't seen last night, despite being United States Champion. Sure, it would be heel vs. heel, but can't something be made of a feud between them?
Winners: Becky Lynch
After two weeks of intense ring segments, this was a nice "calm before the storm" back and forth. It kept the intensity high but still made you want to see more.
Becky Lynch outperformed Charlotte in the segment and the crowd gave her a massive pop. The people are clearly on her side and she should be the one to carry home the gold before this feud is said and done.
Becky has suddenly found herself the hottest act in the company, and it would be criminal not to pull the trigger on her, but this company's history on that front leaves much room for doubt.
Winner: Asuka
Absence seemed to make the heart grow fonder, because when Asuka made her return to television, she got a huge ovation.
Putting her in this angle against the IIconics is certainly beneath her, and hopefully, it won't go on for too long, but the rebuilding needed to start somewhere.
It's at this time of the year where the WrestleMania card is at the beginning of its pregnancy, and the path for SmackDown's women's division as it moves closer to MetLife Stadium should be obvious.
A resurgent confident, and cocky Empress, as we saw in NXT, should take on "Stone Cold" Becky Lynch for the championship.
Hopefully, last night was the beginning of that journey.
Winners: AJ Styles and Samoa Joe
The main roster's best feud of 2018 got another boost with a segment that built fantastically to a crescendo. AJ Styles, for the first time, looked menacing compared to Samoa Joe. Joe, for his part, was brilliant with the bait and switch on the champion from last week, even though Styles anticipated it.
Their upcoming match will now have the layer added to it of whether Joe has forced his opponent to lose control of his emotions. That line was crossed for good last night.
Losers: SAnitY
While Rusev Day picked up a strong win here, SAnitY lost still more. There's no chance that any of these teams defeat the New Day in their first title defense. Instead, the outcome showed that the company isn't even confident enough to let SAnitY get a match against the champions in a filler defense.
One wonders why they were called up from NXT in the first place, though that can be said about most of this year's call-ups in general.
