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SmackDown Live has been an infinitely better show than its Monday night counterpart since the last draft post-Wrestlemania and has since managed to create exciting storylines, interesting characters and an overall better product in terms of TV content.
This has recently boiled down to three superstars in particular doing some of the best work of their entire careers, making fans genuinely interested to tune into the show every week.
While RAW has its own strengths, it's safe to say that the following superstars are the most valuable players in the entire WWE roster today (at least in terms of the content being produced).
#3 Randy Orton
The heel turn that accompanied his return to Smackdown Live at the Extreme Rules PPV earlier this year, was something not only the fans were clamouring about for ages, but also something Orton himself had been awaiting all this time.
Self-admittedly, he is infinitely more comfortable playing the bad guy which he has done for the most part of his lengthy WWE career, so it was a no-brainer to turn him back to his dastardly self sooner rather than later.
The turn, as expected, was one that was followed by a series of absolutely must-see segments on Smackdown Live (including his epic beatdown on Jeff Hardy and his subtle involvement in all of Shinsuke Nakamura programs since).
The spectacular Hell in a Cell match that followed was one of the most brutal matches of its kind in recent memory and since then there's an intrigue about what Orton would be doing every week.
He made a statement in the latest edition of Smackdown Live by decimating Tye Dillinger without even in a program with him; again a subtle involvement in something related to Shinsuke Nakamura.
Are we getting a program between the two? Regardless of that, it's quite clear that Orton is adding the 'it' factor on Smackdown Live right now and we can't wait to see what happens next.
#2 Samoa Joe
“Menacing” would be the word to describe Samoa Joe’s brief stint on Smackdown Live since his draft to the house that AJ Styles built. Joe has been doing some of the best work of his WWE career in the main event scene of Smackdown; something he had been missing since his main event program with Brock Lesnar over on RAW during summer last year.
He’s one of the best promos in the company today as he alone can make the fans invest in whatever he’s doing. Nothing can explain that better than his most recent appearance on Smackdown where he appeared to be outside Styles’ house.
What followed was a haunting promo which proved just how sadistic Joe can be, to finally capture the WWE championship. He literally made one of the most beloved babyfaces in the company and the longest reigning WWE champion, beg for mercy. And that too, with a creepy smile across his face. This was easily the best angle WWE has done to build towards Styles vs Joe; and a large part of that credit goes to the spectacular performance by Joe.
While he may not win the WWE championship from Styles right now, Joe will prove to be too good to move down the card and will find himself in the top title hunt soon enough.
#1 Becky Lynch
Arguably the best thing going for WWE today is Becky freakin’ Lynch! Being the first woman to be drafted to Smackdown Live and the first ever Smackdown Live women’s champion, Lynch had never really felt like a big deal since.
Mostly looked upon as the fourth member of the WWE’s version of the four horsewomen throughout her entire main roster career, Lynch finally broke that glass ceiling at Summerslam, and boy did she do it with style!
The Irish Lass-kicker clobbered her way out of Charlotte’s shadow in one of the most satisfying turn of events this year, and didn’t take long after that to become the Smackdown women’s champion again.
WWE has caught lightning in a bottle with Lynch and her growing popularity every passing week points to a Mega star in the making. WWE has to just let it play out as it organically is, without trying to force a narrative down which the fans are not ready for.
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