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This was the go-home episode of WWE SmackDown before WWE Clash of Champions 2020, and the question that needs to be answered in this review is whether or not it did enough to get us pumped us and excited before the pay-per-view this weekend. This was a show of two halves, with the second half of WWE SmackDown being a lot better than the first.
This week's episode of WWE RAW was the first time in the history of 'Best and worst', that this reviewer could not find a single thing to like about the show. WWE SmackDown was far better in that regard, and there was a considerable amount to like from the show, even though it did have some major low points as well.
So, what was good and what wasn't about this week's episode of WWE SmackDown? Let's find out.
#1 Best: The haunting stare from WWE SmackDown star Alexa Bliss
The storyline with Alexa Bliss and The Fiend is definitely the best thing on WWE SmackDown at the moment, because, right now, none of us knows how this storyline will eventually plan out. We did see a major development on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown, however, when Alexa Bliss stared intently at Roman Reigns. We know that, with the introduction of Wobbly Walrus into the Firefly Funhouse, The Fiend is far from done with Roman Reigns. And when he comes for the Universal Championship, it does seem like Alexa Bliss will be by his side, to help him capture the title.
The match between Lacey Evans and Alexa Bliss was the highlight of WWE SmackDown because of the way it was set up, with laughter echoing at one point during the contest. Something snapped in Alexa Bliss, this week on WWE SmackDown and a force of nature was unleashed like never before.
#1 Worst: The WWE SmackDown creative team makes a big mistake with the mystery woman storyline
There is no denying that the creative unit at the helm of the company did a pretty commendable job on WWE SmackDown with the whole mystery woman creative, but the 'untouchable' tagline just seems like a step in the wrong direction. No, this isn't nearly the same level of bad as 'T-Bar' or 'Slapjack' on RAW, but at the same time, it seems like a play on Tessa Blanchard's 'undeniable' gimmick and doesn't sound nearly as regal.
Moreover, when the answer is so very obvious to one and all about who the mystery woman is, does it make sense for WWE SmackDown to delay the inevitable by airing the same vignettes over and over again? Let's hope that Carmella returns in her repackaged avatar at either Clash of Champions 2020 or maybe on the episode of WWE SmackDown that follows and that this storyline does not devolve into comedy territory just like the Emmalina thing did, completely derailing poor Tenille Dashwood's momentum.
#2 Best: A very passionate interaction to close out WWE SmackDown between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso
Yes, the WWE SmackDown creative team can always script the best storylines and put their hearts and souls into writing angles that they believe will entertain the audience. But then again, there are some things that even they cannot script, like what Jey Uso said on WWE SmackDown, about people asking which Uso he was. There was a degree of realism in everything that went down in the final segment between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso in the same way that the Randy Orton and Ric Flair segment on RAW went down, and it was awesome.
Nobody believes that Jey Uso will become the next WWE Universal Champion but something awesome was achieved by the time that WWE SmackDown went off the air.
Every fan in the Thunderdome is now rooting for Jey Uso to take his cousin down and when the match happens this weekend, they will be firmly in the corner of the underdog as he goes up against The Big Dog of WWE SmackDown.
#2 Worst: Has WWE lost faith in WWE SmackDown star Matt Riddle?
The manner in which Matt Riddle lost to King Corbin on WWE SmackDown this week was very strange. More than one person wondered if he has any sort of backstage heat, in the Sportskeeda Writers chat, because this is not even a match that needed to happen in order to build towards the upcoming pay-per-view. This is not to take anything away from WWE SmackDown star King Corbin, who is absolutely amazing, as Greg Bush has summed up right below.
It is also a little startling for anyone who's watched NXT, to hear Michael Cole talking about Riddle picking up the biggest win of his career on WWE SmackDown, completely ignoring what is the 'third brand' of the company.
Let's hope that Matt Riddle manages to regain some of the firepower that he had when he came to WWE SmackDown all those weeks ago and that he can become an even bigger star in the roster than he was, back during his NXT days.
#3 Best/worst: A WWE SmackDown preview of things to come?
Yes, it may have been wiser to not give away what is likely to be the match of the night at Clash of Champions 2020 on WWE SmackDown considering that this was a more watered-down version of the contest, where ladders were only used aesthetically. But at the same time, is it a problem if three of the best in the world battle it out on WWE SmackDown in what was a very solid match?
To close out this review, as you may be aware, Road Warrior Animal, who reviewed RAW for us on Sportskeeda Wrestling recently left us, and we have a very special episode of Legion of RAW planned for you on Monday Night, with Mr. Chris Featherstone, who will remember his mentor and his friend. Also, because this is a WWE SmackDown review, we are incredibly proud to inform you that the awesome Denise Salcedo has joined the Sportskeeda staff and will be reviewing the show every Friday night with Sportskeeda's Rick.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
