WWE SmackDown Live: 3 interesting observations from this week's episode (March 5, 2019)

From Samoa Joe becoming the new United States Champion to Becky Lynch retaliating after Charlotte's underhanded attack, this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Live (5th March 2019) featured a lot of contrasting moments indeed.

I have to say it, as a collective two-hour show, last night's SmackDown Live episode was pretty lacklustre. Of course, the best moment that occurred during the show was Samoa Joe winning the United States Championship. But other than that, the rest of the content felt less grand (or quite repetitive), given the fact that this was the go-home episode before WWE Fastlane.

With that being said, here are a few interesting observations you may have missed during this week's edition of SmackDown Live.

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#3 What is Mustafa Ali's role in the WWE Title scenario?

A returning Ali crashed Kevin Owens' bout to even the odds during the show

While Kevin Owens and Daniel Bryan are currently embroiled in a program that will perhaps culminate at WWE Fastlane this Sunday, Mustafa Ali returned last night to SmackDown Live. He helped Kevin Owens to even the odds against Bryan and Rowan.

It will certainly be interesting to see how Mustafa Ali fits in the picture here. There has to be some sort of a motivation that drew him to the WWE Title picture last night.

One can attribute his actions towards the fact that Ali's short absence from SmackDown Live indirectly resulted in KofiMania. It is believed that Ali was supposed to be the one in Kofi's shoes now, if only the former had been cleared to compete at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

Also, Kofi isn't done yet. Kofi Kingston and Mustafa Ali are two wildcards heading into WrestleMania 35. Let us know in the comments below: Who deserves a WWE Title shot more- Kevin Owens, Kofi Kingston, or Mustafa Ali?

#2 R-Truth was just a transitional United States Champion in the end...

R-Truth wanted to live up to John Cena's status, but failed in the end

I have pointed out several times before how R-Truth's reign as United States Champion was already off to a rough start when he was not scheduled to appear on SmackDown Live episodes initially.

When he did show up, we saw R-Truth adopting a new gimmick, which included him idolising John Cena in order to live up to the latter's expectations.

While the gimmick itself had the potential to succeed if several improvements were made, it looks as if the party is over even before it could start.

R-Truth was just a transitional champion in the end. Whether or not he is booked to reclaim the United States Championship from the new champion, Samoa Joe, lies entirely in the hands of the writers backstage.

Let us know in the comments below: Do you think R-Truth deserves another shot at the United States title?

#1 Samoa Joe has the potential to bring the United States title back to its glory

Samoa Joe became the new United States Champion in this episode

It is interesting to note as to how the United States title and Samoa Joe have a lot in common in recent times. Both the title and the man himself were in a repetitive slump.

Maybe combining the U.S. Title and Samoa Joe together is what's best for business. Joe has proved himself in several high-stakes occasions, and maybe the Championship is all he needs to prove himself this time around.

The WWE Title scene is already getting crowded, as mentioned in the previous slide. Maybe this reign can divert some attention to another interesting and underlooked aspect of the show, and that is, Samoa Joe.

With that being said, who do you think should face Joe for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 35?

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