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WWE SmackDown has been a far more consistent show than RAW. While there was nothing wrong with this episode per se, there was a degree of sameness to it that has permeated the entire WWE product.
There's the Roman Reigns stuff on WWE Smackdown, and then there's the rest of it. Somehow everything that the Tribal Chief does turns to gold, and it just feels like he's at a different level compared to the rest of the current roster.
So here's the best and worst of WWE SmackDown this week. As always, feel free to weigh in and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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#3 Best/Worst: Kevin Owens' WWE SmackDown leave of absence is abnormally short
Can we have a round of applause for the excellent character work that Sami Zayn has been doing on the WWE SmackDown brand? He's someone who's embraced his character, appearing as a crazed, demented, and deluded lunatic who believes that the system is out to get him. It was almost a relief for us as fans to see him in a happy mood at long last now that he's gotten rid of the ghost of Kevin Owens.
Kevin Owens did admit on social media that he would be undertaking a leave of absence. But for him to return to WWE SmackDown so very soon for a Last Man Standing match against Sami Zayn seems a little premature, doesn't it? Moreover, we've seen this match so many times that a gap would have added more mileage to the feud.
That said, this is pretty much guaranteed to be a good match, so there's that as a consolation prize.
Do you think Zayn vs. Owens is overkill, or would you like another match between the two?
#2 Best: Liv Morgan scores a massive victory
For Liv Morgan to win big on WWE SmackDown against Carmella, who's been at the pinnacle of the women's division, is a really big deal. Especially if you consider that her tag team partner Ruby Riott was let go and the Riott Squad was effectively split up for good.
The question is whether her momentum will spur her all the way to the Miss Money in the Bank spot.
#2 Worst: Did the WWE SmackDown Women's Champion need to be pinned?
There are two inherent questions after the mixed tag team match on WWE SmackDown this week. Did the WWE SmackDown Women's Champion need to be pinned, thereby severely diminishing her victory at Hell in a Cell this week?
And secondly, and perhaps more importantly, how many Bayley vs. Bianca Belair matches do we need to see? A feud usually culminates with a Hell in a Cell match, but Bayley's victory means that the program will continue for some time at the very least. Not an ideal scenario!
#1 Best: Roman Reigns and his many prospective opponents
Edge closed out WWE SmackDown in the best possible way by taking the fight to Roman Reigns, the man who defeated him at WrestleMania this year. That said, the Universal Champion has 3 more viable challengers in the WWE SmackDown locker room, and each of them could wrest the title away from him!
Seth Rollins may be a heel but he's made his intentions clear about taking his Shield-mate down. Jimmy Uso was shooed away by Paul Heyman following his victory and well, Jey Uso's not in a good place. They could all be viable challengers for Roman Reigns!
#1 Worst: There is no WWE SmackDown tag team division
Rey and Dominik Mysterio are nursing kayfabe injuries whereas Montez Ford is legitimately undergoing surgery at this time. There is no tag team division on WWE SmackDown and honestly, that's a bit disappointing for fans.
Dolph Ziggler and Jimmy Uso can compete in singles matches all they want, but it's not the same thing! Unfortunately, because of the depleted roster, options are limited.
Meet Randy Orton's lovely wife HERE
