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WWE SmackDown was a fun, albeit uneventful show this week in the build to TLC. While the two hours flew by at a much faster pace than say, RAW does, there were no real talking points to emerge from WWE SmackDown, per se.
So, there's little that can be grouped into the 'worst' column from WWE SmackDown and even the points that are mentioned in this article should be treated as little more than one person's opinion. At the same time, nothing stood out from the show either, so make of this episode what you will.
#1 Best: Carmella came across as a much bigger star than before on WWE SmackDown this week, with a new associate
This week's episode of WWE SmackDown opened with and closed with Sasha Banks, who carries herself like a star, and Carmella who reached the level of stardom this week that she's always been destined for.
With her new associate and her champagne gimmick, not to mention her grand entrance, it is clear that the WWE SmackDown creative team is heavily invested in Carmella and they see her as a star with a lot of promise and potential.
When the best performers in the women's division are mentioned, names like Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Asuka, etc. are brought up and one tends to forget others like Carmella, who is someone that has excelled in every single role she's been given.
Whether it was her pairing with James Ellsworth or even the short-lived run with R-Truth, Carmella has been extremely entertaining and it is great to see her finally get her due, in her current WWE SmackDown avatar. The fact that she was in the WWE SmackDown main event proves that the company is invested in her, and honestly, this is extremely well-deserved.
#1 Worst: The WWE SmackDown pairing of Billie Kay and Natalya
When Billie Kay was sent to WWE SmackDown, away from Peyton Royce, many assumed that it would be the death knell for her. But thankfully, she has managed to reinvent herself and is one of the more entertaining comedy characters in the brand at this point in time.
Someone who hasn't reinvented herself over the years is Natalya, who is one of the all-time greats and a supremely sound worker, but has been in need of a reboot for years. When it was revealed that Billie Kay would be teaming with Natalya on WWE SmackDown this week, there was a collective groan in the SK Writer chat.
It was also weird to see The Riott Squad pick up the win if the idea and the intention are to highlight Billie Kay as a comedy character because they are an established act.
As good as the top of the card is in the WWE SmackDown women's division, the mid-card does seem a little directionless at this particular point.
#2 Best: Jey Uso jumps Kevin Owens on WWE SmackDown and then Roman Reigns attacks him backstage
Kevin Owens was attacked not once but twice on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown, the first time by Jey Uso and then by Roman Reigns backstage.
Even though it is pretty much a certainty at this point that Kevin Owens will not become the next WWE Universal Champion, based on how Roman Reigns has been booked, the feud has been fantastic thus far. If nothing else, everyone who comes into contact with Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown just seems like a bigger star. Kevin Owens also cut a pretty great promo as he is known to do, and the match, albeit predictable, does sound like an exciting prospect.
There was enough furniture involved in these segments to remind us that the WWE TLC 2020 pay-per-view is coming very soon indeed. With all due respect to Kenny Omega, who is great in his own right, Roman Reigns may be the best Champion in all of wrestling at this point in time.
#2 Worst: Something about Gable and Otis on WWE SmackDown just isn't gelling
Much like Billie Kay and Natalya's makeshift alliance on WWE SmackDown, Otis and Chad Gable aren't necessarily the best team either. Many wrestlers who have left WWE have spoken about how little the company values tag team wrestling. It takes years to develop the right kind of chemistry with your partner, and this WWE SmackDown duo has a long way to go, very honestly.
What all of Twitter has been talking about is how Otis did not break up a pin when he was standing on the apron and should have ideally made the save. Are babyfaces not supposed to interfere in finishes because they do not cheat in their matches? Is it even cheating when you consider that everyone does it these days?
No, Otis and Chad Gable aren't the best tag team in the WWE SmackDown brand, and the explanation that Gable offered after the match for the loss also left a lot to be desired. Can we please have Heavy Machinery back in the WWE SmackDown brand again?
#3 Best/Worst: The current WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship picture
Once you're done with reading this article, do check out what Rick and Denise have to say about WWE SmackDown, by clicking on the link that's been shared above, ladies, and gentlemen.
Montez Ford and Dolph Ziggler had a fun match and there is no doubt that when their teams clash next week, the match is going to be pretty cool as well. However, there just seems to be a lack of heat in the WWE SmackDown Championship picture, meaning that the audience may not necessarily have the incentive to follow the contest. The self-deprecating comment from Dolph Ziggler about his own comedy was pretty funny though.
On a scale of 1-10, how much did this week's WWE SmackDown get you excited for WWE TLC 2020?
Also, did you think that the show was a 'thumbs up' episode or a 'thumbs down' one, based on all of the action that played out this week?
Feel free to disagree with the reviewer and mention your thoughts in the comments section below.
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