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Another week's WWE SmackDown is in the books, and it was a pretty good show throughout the night. With a contract signing, the aftermath of Rusev Day's breakup, and Becky Lynch's shenanigans expected, there was a lot going on for the blue brand.
While there were no multiple major storyline developments, one or two segments set the ball rolling.
Lets take a look at what worked and what didn't as we analyse and grade each segment.
#1 Truth TV segment
R-Truth came out to the ring with his MMC partner Carmella, who has apparently turned face now. He welcomed the audience to Truth-TV. The Miz's music was playing, but Truth was hosting the show.
He called out his guest Daniel Bryan, and asked him about his feud with The Miz. Bryan talked about unfinished business with his former NXT mentor, and The Miz came out inevitably to respond.
After mocking Truth, he went on a long tirade about how he'd do anything for the WWE Championship.
He went back to the Gorilla Position, where he met Paige about Truth stealing his show.
Page set up a match between them to decide the owner of the show.
Grade: B+
While it was a bit formulaic, with an opening promo setting up a match for later, it worked. Truth got some hilarious mic time, while The Miz and Bryan got to reheat their feud which has considerably cooled down after the involvement of their spouses.
#2 The Miz vs R-Truth
R-Truth and The Miz battled for Truth TV/Miz TV. The Miz gained the upper hand early on, and dominated R-Truth. Bryan was on commentary, attacking The Miz while Corey Graves defended him.
Truth was sent to the outside of the ring. Miz almost got the count out victory, but Truth somehow made it into the ring. Using the referee's distraction, Miz poked him in the eye and hit the Skull Crushing Finale. He looked at Bryan, hit the running knee, and pinned Truth for the 3-count.
Grade: A
This match accomplished all the things it set out to. The Miz defeated Truth, who shouldn't have given the multiple time Intercontinental Champion a tough fight anyway, and a lot of heat was added to the feud between Bryan and Miz as The A-Lister resorted to his cheap tactics again.
#3 Becky Lynch ambushes Charlotte Flair
It was a kind of a 'before the show' thing where Charlotte was posing for some photos. Becky Lynch attacked her from behind, and asked the photographers to click her photos.
Grade : B-
WWE is really pushing Becky Lynch as a heel rather than an anti hero, despite the crowd going crazy for every action of hers. The proof of WWE pushing Lynch as a heel is that Byron Saxton, who favours the babyfaces always, was shown with a look of disgust on his face.
Another example of WWE ignoring the WWE Universe.
#4 Big E vs Sheamus
Big E vs Sheamus was announced a week in advance, and Big E had spent the entire week on Twitter highlighting how he didn't like The Irish Bruiser.
After some verbal back and forth, the match began with both superstars motivated. Big E even countered a Brogue Kick attempt into a Powerbomb.
The former Langston picked Sheamus up for the big ending, but was hit with a Brogue Kick outta nowhere. Sheamus pinned Big E for the win.
Grade : B+
It was imperative that Sheamus won here. There is very little chance that The Bar will defeat The New Day, so they need to rack victories in order to maintain their credibility after a loss at WWE SSD.
#5 Aiden English explains his actions
Millions of hearts were broken when Aiden English attacked Rusev and brought the end of Rusev Day. Rusev sought answers.
Aiden English came out to a chorus of boos, stating that he made Rusev relevant. He also incited that Lana was piggybacking on Rusev's popularity.
In the end, while questioning Lanka's loyalty, Aiden asked Lana whether she told Rusev about the one night in Milwaukee, followed by a mic drop.
Grade: A
This is the layered storytelling missing from the WWE. Instead of just having a grudge match on a PPV, this feud is getting a greater significance. Aiden English was brilliant as the manipulative heel.
Lets hope this rivalry elevates both superstars to their deserving places.
#6 Asuka and Naomi vs Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville
The team of Asuka and Naomi took on Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose as a result of a backstage segment.
Deville and Rose dominated Asuka as the IIconics joined the commentary team. A hot tag to Naomi cleared things up and won the match for the heels.
Grade: C-
This segment was a filler segment, which only further diminished what remained of Asuka's aura. The sensational wrestler looked helpless against two ineffective heels. Naomi got the hot tag, which should've been Asuka's place.
Sloppy booking all over the place.
#7 Shinsuke Nakamura vs Tye Dillinger
Tye Dillinger surprised Nakamura with a flurry of offense. The US Champion didn't seem to have an answer for the Perfect 10's fire. Tye hit a Frog Splash but failed to get the victory.
Randy Orton ambushed him and beat him up. Shinsuke added to the woes of the former NXT star by hitting him with a Kinshasa through the LED board.
Grade: A-
This was an interesting development for the former NXT Superstar Dillinger as he became a target for two legendary wrestlers. With Randy Orton taking an interest in him, the feud is surely set to elevate The Perfect 10. This also gave Nakamura some much needed TV time, and a chance to show his mean streak.
#8 Becky Lynch vs Lana
After Lynch belittled her, a frustrated Lana targeted a complacent Becky Lynch. While she got in some offense, Becky showed her who the champion was by hitting The Bexploder into the Disarmher.
Grade: C
This was a typical Lana match, sloppy and disjointed. The Ravishing Russian looks awkward while performing wrestling moves. It showed us that she isn't ready for a singles run, and is better utilised as a valet.
Becky winning was the right outcome as she is experiencing the push of a lifetime. The crowd is behind her, she's got a championship on her shoulder, and her confidence is off the charts. Perfect.
#9 AJ Styles - Samoa Joe contract signing
AJ Styles came out to the ring for the contract signing, but there was no sign of Joe. Instead, he was shown on the titantron. He was recording himself standing in front of AJ's home.
AJ's face reflected real fear for his family, as his worst fears came true. The Champion begged Joe to back off, but The Samoan ignored him and rang the doorbell as the show ended.
Grade: A+
The rivalry has gotten a bit sidetracked in an attempt to give it a more personal edge. Well, this was the final blow by Samoa Joe as he actually did what he was threatening all this time. Samoa Joe is a gem, and it is high time he wins the WWE Championship. AJ Styles was great too, selling the threat of Joe invading his house.
The end of the show was perfect as it left a lot to our scary imagination. Awesome segment to end a great show.
