From silly soap opera drama to high octane matches being contested, this broadcast accomplished more narrative feats in one episode than Raw often does in a month. So, let us go through what made this episode really stand out, as WWE really deserve some credit for actaully making changes to their product, even if all those changes are relegated to the blue brand.
#1 Daniel Bryan unleashed
Daniel Bryan is currently one of the best characters in the WWE, and while you may be thinking to yourself, a wrestler posing as a crazy environmentalist is nothing too special in today’s landscape of cooler gimmicks, this gimmick works due to the man behind the character.
Most people have forgotten what a phenomenal character-driven wrestler Bryan really is, as this extreme eco-friendly gimmick is just an exaggeration of his real-life persona.
Therefore, what we see on screen is a man believing in every word he is saying, and that is why WWE was smart to place Bryan in an environment that would feed his motivations. This week on Smackdown Live, Bryan was at the concession stand in the arena and preached about the consumption of the WWE fans.
He went as far as snatching a man’s hotdog and another person’s soda and throwing it in their faces, then Bryan would then conclude his speech by saying the fans need AJ Styles to fill the void in their ‘pathetic’ lives.
First of all, this was one of the best heel moves WWE has booked in a long time, and while those ‘fans’ in the line of fire were probably actors, this was a really excellent promo and really strong way to start Smackdown Live. Bryan is truly a great heel and probably the best in WWE right now, as he believes in his role.
#2 R Truth displays his serious nature
R Truth may be a simple midcarder to many fans out there in the WWE Universe, but this is a man that is truly underrated in terms of in-ring and character work, as this week on Smackdown Live, Truth got a chance to show some of that when he took on Daniel Bryan in a one on one match.
The fact that Smackdown Live writers wrote a character arc for Truth in a matter of two weeks is truly commendable, as it shows that no matter how big or small a wrestler is regarding relevance, they get a chance on the blue brand.
And here Truth really showed a different side of himself when he wanted to knock some sense into Daniel Bryan after the WWE Champion insulted him on Smackdown Live.
Bryan basically mocked Truth’s entire career in a matter of one promo, and Truth showed his aggression, as he has self-respect as a man that willing to entertain but not willing to be insulted. While Truth lost this match, it showed a different side to him that we haven’t seen in a very long time.
#3 Rusev and Nakamura makes things personal
The United States Championship is one of the most underrated titles in WWE, as gone are the days when John Cena brought the title back to relevance via his open challenges. As this once prestigious title has seen some truly terrible booking over the last few years, from being thrown around to multiple wrestlers to not even being on the match card, the US Title is in desperate need of a resurgence, and it seems like that is not far from actually happening.
After Rusev captured the US Title from Shinsuke Nakamura in a fantastic match on Smackdown Live a few weeks ago, fans knew that Rusev was going to bring credibility back to the title that made him a star, and they were right.
WWE went right into building Nakamura and Rusev’s fued as these two men brawled last week during Rusev’s celebration, and Lana was the unfortunate victim that was caught in the crossfire. And this week on Smackdown Live, Rusev came down to the ring not as a champion or a wrestler, but as a husband that felt terrible about what happened to his wife.
Nakamura soon gave Rusev the answers he was looking for, as he presented Rusev with evidence that it was, in fact, Rusev that caused Lana’s accident and not him. This prompted Rusev to go backstage to find Nakamura but instead got destroyed by the former NXT Champion. This was a cleverly written segment that only further built on Rusev’s humanity and showed how ruthless Nakamura could be.
#4 AJ Styles is relentless
AJ Styles has not been himself ever since Vince McMahon questioned his identity on Smackdown Live a few weeks ago, as it prompted AJ to lose his cool and punch the boss, and many feel that was a great decision on WWE’s part to bring out the intensity in Styles once again.
Style is an incredible wrestler but he had gone soft over the last few years ever since he turned into a babyface, but it seems like he has abandoned his babyface persona and has gone full on aggressive. This new version of Styles conquered four elite superstars last week on Smackdown Live and this week he decided to put Daniel Bryan in his place by beating the living daylights out of the champ after his match with R Truth.
This rematch between the two superstars looks to be the best bout they could have, as Bryan’s intensity is turned up and Styles is a dangerous man on the loose.
#5 Mustafa Ali is on a hot streak
Mustafa Ali literally came out of nowhere and stole the show for the past few weeks on Smackdown Live, and it is totally not surprising that Ali has put on some of the best matches the brand has seen in a few months, as he is a really talented wrestler that paid his dues to get to the point he is in.
And after beating Daniel Bryan clean in a tag team match and pinning Andrade “Cien” Almas last week on Smackdown Live, Ali was looking to continue his hot streak this week, but that wasn’t the case.
Even though Ali and Rey Mysterio lost their tag team match to Samoa Joe and Almas, Ali gave an excellent performance in this match. Also, the man who was pinned in this match was not Ali but the legendary luchador himself Rey Mysterio. Ali saved his credibility, and it seems WWE believes in the man.
#6 Almas and Joe are finally being handled correctly
The previous point explained how WWE managed to let Ali continue his hot streak on the blue brand without losing credibility, and the creative team did the same with Andrade “Cien” Almas and Samoa Joe.
First of all this match was an absolutely awesome, as these four men were allowed to showcase the best of their ability, as everything from 450 splashes to Canadian destroyers on display here. Yeah, you heard that right - we actually saw a Canadian destroyer in the WWE, and it was awesome.
Almas and Joe looked like a well-oiled machine in this match, and their teamwork helped them to a hard-fought victory. Also, it seems as if Almas’ victory over Mysterio could put the two men in a programme together, and that will be a joy to watch.
#7 The tag team division is exciting
This week on Smackdown Live, one of the marquee matches was the Smackdown Live Tag Team Titles match between The Usos and The Bar, while these two teams have faced off against each other more times than you would actually care to remember, their chemistry in the ring never gets old, as these are four talented wrestlers who know how to put on a show.
This back and forth showdown was hard-hitting, but an eventual distraction by Mandy Rose cost The Usos the title match. Even though the match didn’t have a proper conclusion, the angle with Mandy Rose and the post-match confrontation by the Miz challenging The Bar for their titles made the tag team division stand out this week, and that is a good thing considering Raw’s tag team division is in shambles right now.
#8 A catfight like no other
Mandy Rose is a superstar that will never have the wrestling skills of Charlotte Flair or the character-driven talent of Becky Lynch, but she does fit into the stereotypical ‘diva’ role WWE loved promoting in the 90s and early 2000s. While that is not a good thing, as every superstar should be developed into the best they could be, this feels like Mandy’s best shot at making her mark on the main roster.
And for the most part it is working, as her love angle with Jimmy Uso has produced some of the most entertaining television in a long time, as this week on Smackdown Live, Mandy cost Jimmy his title match with The Bar by claiming she left her wrestling attire in his hotel room.
This caused Naomi to lose her cool and ‘snatch’ Mandy backstage in a hilarious brawl that saw Mandy and Sonya Deville get destroyed by an enraged Naomi. This angle is hilarious, and while it’s not going to break any records for best narrative ever, it is certainly fun.
#9 A classic main event
The women’s division on the blue brand has so much depth it puts Raw’s entire roster to shame, as WWE really took time to develop each character in this women’s division and give them personalities which made them unique. And this week the biggest question in the women’s division was going to be answered - who will face Asuka at the Royal Rumble?
The answer to that question was a long hard fought match, which saw Becky Lynch trap Carmela in an armbar to pick up the win. One can not understate the chemistry between Lynch and Flair, as their feud has been one of the best in the entire company so far, and this match showed that if Carmella has a couple of world-class athletes to work with she can perform as well.
From leg drops that cracked a few ribs to counters that will have you wondering, this was a well though the out main event that truly elevated everyone involved.
#10 Asuka gets her biggest challenge to date
Asuka has been mishandled during most of her time on the main roster, as weak fueds, terrible booking and a lack of competition have ruined her career, but ever since she regained her lost momentum by capturing the Smackdown Women’s Championship, it seems like WWE gave Asuka her mojo back.
The cocky but dangerous striker seems more like her NXT self more than ever right now, and her match with Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble will help continue her hot streak.
Many fans are certain that Asuka will retain her title at the Royal Rumble due to Becky’s rumored plans with Ronda Rousey on Raw. Could we see Rousey interfere in this match or even Charlotte Flair? Well, we have to wait and find out, but at least we have this heated clash on the cards.
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