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Is there a better wrestling show on television than WWE SmackDown at the moment? Even the best episodes of RAW go on for three hours and as good as AEW Dynamite, IMPACT Wrestling, and NXT are weekly, everything that happens on WWE SmackDown just seems like it is a development that happens on a significantly bigger scale overall.
One has to attribute a lot of this change to the amazing storytelling, especially when it comes to Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, as well as the current ongoing Sasha Banks and Bayley situation on WWE SmackDown. Also, all of the horror movie stuff with Alexa Bliss and The Fiend has to be commended because of just how unique it has been thus far.
There wasn't really a worst on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown per se. But there was room for improvement, for sure.
#1 Best: Major change in character for Kevin Owens on WWE SmackDown?
Can we have a standing ovation for Alexa Bliss, who was just extraordinary in terms of acting ability on WWE SmackDown this week? When Kevin Owens asked her, during his big return to WWE SmackDown if the Fiend was in the building and she replied that he is everywhere, it must have sent a shiver down the spine of every single person in the WWE Universe.
Something to note is that everyone that comes into contact with The Fiend undergoes a very major transformation, and one has to wonder if this will be the case with Kevin Owens too. Kevin Owens has been a very good babyface on RAW but we all know that he is a natural heel, meaning that if he does stay on, on WWE SmackDown, we could see him returning to his former persona.
#1 Worst: From Impact Wrestling World Champion to just another guy on WWE SmackDown- the unfortunate John Morrison story
One has to believe that there are other WWE SmackDown Superstars in the back that are not being used, who could potentially do the job for Otis, to get him over. John Morrison was the face of Impact Wrestling not long ago, and he was also a major player in several other promotions such as Lucha Underground, before arriving at WWE SmackDown and just losing one match after another.
The same case could be made for Shorty G as well, but he's a guy who never really picked up any real steam at all in his current run. Yes, Sheamus vs. Shorty G is a match that has happened several times, but ahead of his upcoming match with Big E on WWE SmackDown, Sheamus really needed to win the big one this week. In John Morrison's case, it may be ideal for him, and The Miz to go their separate ways after the Draft takes place.
#2 Best: Solid showing for the Intercontinental Championship on WWE SmackDown
You could put the title on the biggest star in the world but unless it is portrayed as being a big deal on RAW or WWE SmackDown, the said Championship may lose some of its equity. And this is why the decision to have Sami Zayn and Jeff Hardy, two trusted hands and big stars main event this episode of WWE SmackDown was a smart decision. Of course, they had a good match, but in doing so, they elevated the value of the WWE Intercontinental Championship as well.
WWE is finally going all out to have Sami Zayn be portrayed as a big star all on his own, and he could elevate the title with a variety of superstars on WWE SmackDown, from Big E to Jeff Hardy to even someone like Otis, in due course of time.
Yes, Sami Zayn did not win the match in a conventional manner, but he looked strong even with how the match played out on WWE SmackDown and one has to commend the company for their smart booking.
#2 Worst: The drama within the Lucha House Party on WWE SmackDown
Sometimes a story goes on for far too long without a resolution and that seems to be the case with The Lucha House Party on WWE SmackDown. One has to wonder if the group will implode or if they will go their separate ways when the Draft comes around. Unfortunately, Matt Riddle has been saddled into the storyline on WWE SmackDown and one has to assume that it's not a good look for him, at all.
On WWE SmackDown, a man's position is known by the company he keeps and this was a clear indication that he will not be seen as a very big deal, at least as compared to fan expectations of him.
But Kalisto and Gran Metalik need to either implode and/or reunite and end this storyline, which is not even gripping enough to invest in, end once and for all. It is in their interests as performers and also in the interest of the overall product for them to do so.
#3 Best/Worst: The return of Carmella to WWE SmackDown (or is it RAW?) in a new avatar
Carmella is quite clearly going to be a heel when she returns to action, presumably as a member of the WWE SmackDown brand. Yes, she did tease that she could be on either WWE SmackDown or RAW following the Draft, but it makes no sense for the vignettes to be telecast, as they were on WWE SmackDown, for her to end up on RAW.
Who wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect of Carmella returning, and cutting the cool promo that she did on WWE SmackDown this week, but one has to wonder if this glamor gimmick is necessarily the right fit for her? Also, as we have seen in the past, the glamor gimmick has a shelf life, and one has to wonder if it's a step back for someone with the credentials that Carmella has.
Once you're done reading this review, be sure to head on to our YouTube page and catch our experts dissecting WWE SmackDown in an exciting video format.
