The biggest winners and losers of last night's SmackDown (September 18)

Last night's SmackDown was a great program that followed up a well-done blue brand effort at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. The build to Super Show-Down began, everyone did what they should have, and interest was successfully created for the Australian event, in contrast to Raw's characteristically poor showing this week.

While there were some repetitive aspects to the show, like the Miz vs. Bryan feud which has unfortunately degenerated in quality, most of the other programs were on point.

Who took away the most and least from last night's show?

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Winners: The Bar

Cesaro's singles win over Kofi Kingston wasn't anything spectacular, but it did a good job in setting the stage for Super Showdown. The Bar and New Day always deliver when in the ring together and the two teams have a lot of history. It was The Bar that ended the New Day's record-breaking tag team title run two years ago.

The Bar's odds of winning the titles in Melbourne are slim, but this rivalry could reinvigorate a tag team division that needs the booster shot, and it was about time that Cesaro and Sheamus got more time on TV.

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Losers: Rusev Day

First, I'll give credit to the way this was done. This was an excellent match and segment, but in the long term, it spells peril for both Rusev and Aiden English. The duo were far more popular together than they were apart, and breaking up Rusev Day will probably give them nothing to do after the angle ends.

On the other hand, this looked like it was Rusev's official babyface turn, which fans have been wanting for a long time and which should help him. It's a shame that it didn't happen when he was at his hottest point heading into WrestleMania, though.

Winner: Andrade "Cien" Almas

Yes, Almas lost, but it was against another big name in a match which took an established Superstar to the limit. He opened a lot more eyes after last night, which was one of the best matches on WWE TV all year.

Vince McMahon is supposedly high on the former NXT Champion. This was a reminder of how good that title reign was. If AJ Styles won't drop his title to Samoa Joe, Andrade "Cien" Almas stands as an excellent candidate.

Loser: Asuka

Yes, the rebuilding needed to start somewhere, and her partnership with Naomi looks like another indication that women's tag team titles are on the way, but seeing Asuka sell so much for Billie Kay was ridiculous.

It would be worse for Asuka if she was still left off TV, but this definitely didn't make her feel special in her return. Contrast to the way she flattened Billie Kay on her last SmackDown TV match in July.

Winner: Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch again outperformed Charlotte Flair in the closing segment on SmackDown. The two of them are so miscast in their respective roles and it's glaringly obvious to everyone not named Vince McMahon. Still, Becky Lynch played the heel well.

This was an excellent way to create interest in the rematch at Super Showdown, and presumably, the next one at Evolution.