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Both RAW and SmackDown after SummerSlam were quite impressive in their own right. While the Red brand wasn't filled with any surprises or returns, it was simply a solid episode with good matches that stayed entertaining for the duration of three hours.
SmackDown had a much longer leash to work with. The biggest matches and moments on SummerSlam were from the Blue brand, proving WWE's increasing need to prioritize it.
This wasn't a night filled with surprises or returns either, but a lot happened regardless. Here were the best and worst parts of SmackDown:
#3. Best: Finn Balor and The Profits on SmackDown
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Finn Balor is finally set to get his Universal Championship match after it was taken away from him. Balor was set to sign a contract on SmackDown guaranteeing him a Universal title shot at SummerSlam, but disaster struck involving Baron Corbin before John Cena signed the contract and secured the match.
Now that Roman Reigns is done with the Cenation leader, the first person to step up to his title challenge was none other than Finn Balor. But the first-ever Universal Champion didn't want to wait.
He challenged Reigns to a match on SmackDown next week. Almost seconds later, he attacked Roman Reigns, only to get ambushed by The Usos.
However, this set up a run-in by The Street Profits, who saved Balor and seemingly started a feud with The Usos. That's three superstars getting a title push in one segment. The Universal title match for next week was later confirmed by WWE.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out on the Blue brand next week. Finn Balor isn't the only superstar interested in a Universal title shot. After defeating Seth Rollins at SummerSlam, Edge revealed that he intends to pursue the Universal Championship again.
Rollins is also intent on building his way back up. The Universal Championship picture is going to get crowded again in no time. However, this essentially confirms that Brock Lesnar won't be returning for a while.
#3. Worst: The SmackDown Women's title fallout
WWE pushed themselves into a corner with how they handled the SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam. While Becky Lynch's return undoubtedly got a great reaction from the live crowd, the handling of the brand's Women's title match was controversial for fair reasons.
Bianca Belair, who carried SmackDown's women's division for all of 2020 was done away with in 27 seconds. Although the crowd loved Lynch and her return, they booed when she mentioned the way she won the title.
However, she justified it by saying that she has been in WWE long enough to know that timing is everything. It was met with a bad reaction but Belair came out to a huge pop, which was a good sign. Becky Lynch promptly walked away when Zelina Vega, Carmella, and Liv Morgan made their presence known on the show.
Bianca Belair had to go through three other women in an elimination match to become the No. 1 contender to the SmackDown Women's title. It looks like Lynch vs. Belair is the direction we're getting at Extreme Rules.
The Becky Lynch heel turn failed on the first attempt. There was a lot that went wrong with the segment and matches, especially with the fact that Bianca Belair didn't get an immediate rematch. The only positive takeaway is that Liv Morgan had a good showing on this week's episode.
#2. Best: Happy Corbin on SmackDown
Baron Corbin returned to SmackDown as a rich man, but more importantly, a happy man. Kayla Braxton was trying to catch Roman Reigns as he entered the arena but was surprised like all of us when she saw Corbin pull up in a Bentley.
Not only this but he was dressed in an expensive suit as well. The days of poor Corbin might be over and he got a haircut, a shave, and just looked clean overall. He obviously has no intention of paying Kevin Owens a $100 back from last month as he ignored him on the commentary table.
Either way, Baron Corbin or Happy Corbin, as he is now known, has a new theme song. He called out Big E and began the negotiation process to get his Money in the Bank briefcase. The offer started at $20,000, went to $50,000, and peaked at a whopping $100,000.
While Big E was admittedly taken aback by that figure, he said that the Money in the Bank briefcase wasn't for sale. Everything that Corbin has touched on SmackDown recently has turned to gold. We're continuing to enjoy the progress of Happy Corbin on the Blue brand.
#2. Worst: Cesaro's downfall on SmackDown
Cesaro has gone from beating Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins on SmackDown to being in a meaningless feud with Alpha Academy. Not only is he facing the likes of Chad Gable and Otis, but he isn't even getting proper wins in the process.
It's unfortunate to see Cesaro in this position because up until Hell in a Cell 2021, he was getting consistently pushed. It looks like Edge's choice of facing Seth Rollins at SummerSlam meant that The Swiss Cyborg had to be put in the backseat again.
It's sad to see where he is now after the incredible 2021 he had on SmackDown.
#1. Best: Rick Boogz and King Nakamura
The Nakamura-Boogz pairing has been a big success so far. It's helped both men in their popularity overall and even Boogz has a great deal of momentum on SmackDown.
On this week's episode, Nakamura and Rick Boogz teamed up to take on former tag team champions Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. They won the match, with Boogz getting the pinfall.
The alliance has been a success so far and Apollo Crews is waiting in line for another Intercontinental title shot.
#1. Worst: Dominik Mysterio losing over and over on SmackDown
Dominik Mysterio was given a talk by his father Rey Mysterio on SmackDown, who told him that their tag team success can wait. For now, he wants Dominik to branch out on his own as a singles star.
He didn't even know who he was going to face. Ultimately, it was Sami Zayn who was his mystery opponent. They had a good match but it quickly went off the rails for Dominik Mysterio as his inexperience saw him take a Helluva Kick to the face.
It was another day and another loss for the young Mysterio. While Rey Mysterio assured him that losses and such happen in wrestling, Dominik wasn't hearing any of it.
It's a good story in the sense that it truly highlights Dominik's overall inexperience in the ring. However, having him lose match after match on SmackDown and pay-per-view could affect him in the long run.
WWE needs to be careful with their handling of Dominik Mysterio on the Blue brand.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
