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It's been a while since an episode of WWE SmackDown paled in comparison to its RAW counterpart in the same week, but here we are.
Almost nothing of significance happened during the course of WWE SmackDown this week, from an advertised Hulk Hogan appearance being little more than a strange promo to Edge and Bianca Belair delaying their Royal Rumble announcements.
Somehow the big episode of WWE SmackDown following the Royal Rumble show that we expected did not happen, and there was nothing to note at all. If you felt differently, please post your argument in the comments section below.
Three hours of RAW breezed by significantly faster than two hours of WWE SmackDown did.
#1 Best: WWE SmackDown star Jey Uso is back by Roman Reigns' side once again
Listen, while we may view the WWE SmackDown product with a critical lens at times, that may border on being a little harsher than it needs to, at times, we know that behind these larger-than-life characters there are real-life men and women and their health and safety are of paramount importance.
Jey Uso missed the 2021 Royal Rumble match, and reports emerged that he was not medically cleared to compete, which raised more than one eyebrow. Even though he did not wrestle on this week's show, it was great to see him return and align with Roman Reigns once more, meaning that we, as his fans, can breathe a sigh of relief.
Maybe when he gets the green light to compete again, Jey Uso can mix it up with Big E, which finally brings us to Big E vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship.
At this point in time, that seems like a bigger match than Edge vs. Roman Reigns, doesn't it?
#1 Worst: Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens continue to feud on WWE SmackDown after three major successive losses
WWE SmackDown would conclude this week with Kevin Owens delivering a Stunner to Roman Reigns, and as cool as this segment would have been two months ago, dragging this feud on just seems tiresome at this point in time.
Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens have torn it up on WWE SmackDown over the last few weeks and to be honest, each one of their clashes has been nothing short of stellar.
But there's only so much you can possibly take of Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens, or going by the theme on WWE SmackDown, even Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant. Every feud has an expiration day, after which it becomes rotten and leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Why spoil a good thing, especially considering how much time and effort Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens have spent in telling a compelling tale over the last few weeks on WWE SmackDown? Let this stretched-out feud just end already, guys!
#2 Best: Cesaro is part of a major WWE SmackDown upset by pinning Daniel Bryan
Okay, Daniel Bryan is putting stars over far too often on WWE SmackDown, which proves that he is the GOAT and is a really nice guy, but then again, he needs to pick up a few big wins to remind the world that he's still a big deal.
That said, we have that the outcome of Daniel Bryan's generosity on WWE SmackDown was Cesaro going over. He is one of those guys that has always had the talent, but honestly, there has been something that has held him back over the years. Finally, Vince McMahon and co. seem to be recognizing how gifted he is, giving him the push he deserves.
Cesaro, who seemingly turned babyface on this week's show could be a fantastic protagonist who takes on the antagonist in Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown, elevating the WWE Universal Championship in a series of fantastic matches. Maybe he and Shinsuke Nakamura team up to take The Dirty Dawgs down.
#2 Worst: How long must we watch arguably the most unexciting WWE SmackDown feud right now, between Dominik Mysterio and King Corbin?
Yes, Dominik Mysterio scored a massive victory on WWE SmackDown this week, against King Corbin and yet, unlike Cesaro's win, it really did not do him any favors at all.
Why did so much time and effort go into building him as a top star, first on RAW and then on WWE SmackDown, if he is using heel tactics to win his match against a heel, who didn't even have The Knights of the Lone Wolf by his side on this occasion?
The only way to salvage Dominik Mysterio right now will be to have him team up with Rey Mysterio and go after the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Dirty Dawgs at WrestleMania. The whole King Corbin vs. Dominik feud has been a dud, and it has probably undone all the good that the Seth Rollins feud did for the young man and the legend just a few months ago.
#3 Best/Worst: Both Edge and Bianca Belair show up on WWE SmackDown but delay their decisions
Both Bianca Belair and Edge appeared on WWE SmackDown this week, and it was teased that both of them could name their challengers. However, neither one did which is fine, but it could become an issue if this storyline gets far too stretched out by WWE.
It does not help that Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks seems to be the likely direction but then both of these women are beloved babyfaces at this point. For either of these women to turn heel on the other would derail their characters completely, especially if you consider that WWE has an issue building babyfaces. Here are two women who've organically gotten over.
Do check out SK Wrestling's interview with Bianca Belair by clicking on the link posted above and stay tuned to our channel because an interview with Damian Priest should drop at some point after WWE SmackDown. Also, air all your grievances with WWE SmackDown in the comments section right below.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
