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Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. It was an interesting episode. Bayley defeated Ruby Riott thanks to unintentional assistance from Billie Kay, while the SmackDown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode defeated Chad Gable and Otis. Let's start with the most important part about SmackDown:
#5. WWE keeps making the same mistake on SmackDown
Edge has had a busy week. After winning the Royal Rumble match, he had to make a choice of which Champion he wants to face at WrestleMania. His three options are Drew McIntyre from RAW, Finn Balor from NXT, and Roman Reigns from SmackDown.
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Edge even went to NXT and told Finn Balor (and Pete Dunne) that he would decide after their match at NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day. Roman Reigns wasn't as patient as Finn Balor.
He opened SmackDown and demanded that Edge give him his answer before the night ended. Edge was finally spotted backstage, having an interaction with Shinsuke Nakamura as well. He came out for the main event segment of SmackDown, and Roman Reigns interrupted him quickly.
Throughout the episode of SmackDown, you could see Roman Reigns getting anxious over the fact that Edge was taking so long to make his decision. When the two finally did have a confrontation, Roman Reigns demanded that Edge needed to acknowledge him and choose him at WrestleMania.
He went as far as to send his insurance policy Jey Uso away from the ring. And then, out of nowhere, Kevin Owens came and hit a stunner on Roman Reigns. This was a massive mistake on SmackDown. Why repeat the Kevin Owens-Roman Reigns feud to death? They have faced off multiple times and it's clear that Owens won't be dethroning Reigns.
Edge walked away without giving a reply, which made it a bizarre ending for SmackDown. Either way, the repetitions in feuds were a common theme on SmackDown.
#4. Are we seeing a Cesaro push or a Daniel Bryan downfall on SmackDown?
Cesaro has been crossing paths with Daniel Bryan a lot on SmackDown lately, and Daniel Bryan has been losing a lot as well. The same thing happened this week on SmackDown when Cesaro had a short-yet-impactful match against Daniel Bryan.
Shinsuke Nakamura was an interested spectator watching the match from backstage.
Cesaro's head was bleeding, but he made Daniel Bryan tap out to the Sharpshooter - clean. While some would argue that Daniel Bryan is losing too much on SmackDown (and we somewhat agree with the sentiment too), we mustn't forget that he is essentially at the tail end of his career.
Cesaro defeated him and after the match, he gave a fist bump to a fallen Daniel Bryan in respect. The big question is this? Are we seeing Cesaro getting incredible momentum or Daniel Bryan's downfall?
It's hard to see Daniel Bryan being a World Championship contender at WrestleMania this year, and in all probability, he isn't. But his new role seems to be one where he's embracing the idea of putting over other Superstars. Cesaro is getting the most momentum of his singles career since 2015. It's a babyface push for The Swiss Superman after years.
#3. What is happening with Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown?
In the first half of SmackDown, King Corbin attacked Rey Mysterio on the entrance ramp and threw him off - injuring his knee in the process. Corbin was once again scheduled to face Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown.
The commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves seemed to agree on one thing - that while Dominik Mysterio is one of the most respectful Superstars in the SmackDown locker room, he lacks the "killer instinct" required to be a top WWE star.
There's no actual rush for that, especially since Dominik Mysterio is only turning 24 this year. But consistent TV time is something that he desperately needed, especially after he was brushed aside in favor of the Murphy-Aalyah Mysterio romantic angle.
Dominik Mysterio defeated King Corbin thanks to some help from his injured father Rey Mysterio. It was a bit of a tribute to Eddie Guerrero, but it also reaffirms what the commentators said - that Dominik Mysterio lacks a killer instinct. It's not often that we get to see Superstars growing from the start the way we are with Dominik Mysterio.
#2. Big E stands tall on SmackDown - but don't write off Apollo Crews just yet
Big E defended the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown against two solid opponents in Apollo Crews and Sami Zayn. The latter was close to winning the match after a Helluva Kick on the Champion, but Apollo Crews saved the match.
Apollo Crews was by far the most impressive star in the match on SmackDown, and he was unfortunately also the one to take the pinfall. But it was nothing wrong since Big E is the right man to hold the title now.
Apollo Crews got up and was visibly frustrated seeing Big E celebrate, and he left the ring. His effort was acknowledged, and we hope that he will re-enter the title picture soon enough.
Naturally, Sami Zayn has been hogging the attention on SmackDown, but we were surprised to see that he wasn't the primary focus of the match. Either way, there are big things lying ahead for Big E as the Intercontinental Champion.
#1. The SmackDown Women's title picture
We're not sure why Carmella still appears to be in the SmackDown Women's title picture. She tried to steal the spotlight from Bianca Belair, the 2021 Women's Royal Rumble winner.
SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks came out and acknowledged Belair, telling her that she had her attention. It's hard not to, and that could be an exciting direction.
Reginald had to open his mouth once again on SmackDown, and he got his backside whipped by Bianca Belair's long ponytail. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair could very well be the direction we see for WrestleMania 37. It's hard to imagine Asuka retaining the RAW Women's title until then, and we could see a scenario where she loses her title to Charlotte Flair yet again.
Our big question is as to why Carmella is still in the SmackDown Women's title picture. So far, that's three feuds that are on constant repetition mode - Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens, Dominik Mysterio vs. King Corbin, and Sasha Banks vs Carmella.
We hope to see payoffs to all of these soon on SmackDown.
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