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The 2-hour show of SmackDown was filled with some amazing moments, especially the opening and closing segments. WWE is known for creating compelling television, and the work done by the superstars helped in making the TV viewing experience better.
As always, a lot of segments had some quality matches, while some promos good, but not all are good at all times. The same has helped me lay down the details of what was good, and what wasn't during the blue brand program.
I would like to hear your comments, so feel free to share your thoughts, on whether you agree to my points, and if you have some other segments that could have been a part of the article:
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#1 Worked: The Opening Segment
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The opening segment of a show defines if the show will be a hit or a miss, and this week's Smackdown did have the moments that kept the fans talking. At first, it was the return of The Phenomenal One to the blue brand, and if that wasn't enough, the return of the Canadian superstar Sami Zayn added more value to the segment.
While the two alone could have been entertaining, adding the WWE Champion created value as the Jamaican superstar took a jibe at the former WWE Champion, stating that he doesn't live on the blue brand anymore.
This wasn't the only statement that took everyone by surprise because Kofi Kingston's comeback to Sami with the statement,' What's that smell?' got the fans laughing. The dumpster segment from last night with Braun Strowman got the fans talking as they enjoyed it and with the champion taking a shot at the 'Generic Luchador', the segment became better.
What did happen as a result of this discussion was a triple threat main event match for the WWE title between the three members in the ring, and that also went well.
#1 Didn't Work: Roman Reigns promo
Roman Reigns is a force to be reckoned with, but you show a promo where you state that he is better than ever, and The Big Dog is nowhere to be found. This is a bad idea, considering the fact that the Shield member had a great segment on Raw, and he was the reason why the wild card rule was established.
This doesn't work well for the former Universal Champion, as his return alongside The Miz and a fight with Elias would have elevated the feud that will pave the way for a match at Money In The Bank.
The company needs to build this feud, and with just one episode of Smackdown and Raw to go before MITB comes to our TV screens, it seems like the company missed out on a major opportunity. Also, the promo showed superstars that are not actively wrestling, and that doesn't add any credibility to the wrestler's work.
#2 Worked: Miz attack
The Miz and Shane McMahon are masters in the work they do, and that is why when the duo attacked each other during Raw, it was a part of my worked well segment. The two kept the storyline going as the A-lister attacked The Prodigal Son and once again got everyone talking.
The most must-see wrestler has made this storyline better as he got the upper hand on Monday Night, while the member of the McMahon clan got an assist from the B-Team on Tuesday. This was a great idea to pull off a storyline that has a lot riding on it. The only thing that can add more value to this, however, could be interference by the respective parents. WWE could be planning to make that a part of the storyline at the show on May 19th.
With just over a week to go before they fight inside a steel cage, it would be nice to see how this pans out, and who gets the last laugh before they fight it out at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
#2 Didn't Work: Lars Sullivan segment
Lars Sullivan is a freak of nature and has been on a path of destruction for a long time. He has taken out a lot of superstars on both the red and blue brand, and while Jeff Hardy is back in the healing process, his brother Matt Hardy was backstage on Smackdown discussing his brother's health.
During the segment, R-Truth joined in, and the two started talking about The Freak before he showed up. The interviewer went away, and Matt made hand gestures as if he was to please someone. A competitor of his stature should require some fierce competition and promo, not some funny segments like the one we had this week.
While one thing is for sure, and that's a match in the pre-show for the three superstars, it doesn't add credibility to the efforts and the skills that the wrestlers have.
#3 Worked: Paige and her segment
Paige is no longer a part of active competition, but that doesn't mean that she can't create compelling television or create a feud that will keep the fans involved. Kairi Sane and Asuka are two wrestlers that she is managing as a team, and her management has been on point.
This week on the blue brand she returned after Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville's match was over and announced that Absolution will take on her team next week on Smackdown Live. The storyline seems to have moved ahead as Mandy Rose took to Twitter to express her feelings about Paige and her management. This is a good way to build up the new tag team and then make them a part of the tag team championship storyline down the line.
A match around or at SummerSlam will be a great idea, and if the wrestlers in this storyline come together, it would be a treat for the fans.
#3 Didn't Work: WWE stands for Where Was Elias?
Elias was a part of this exclusive interview backstage on Tuesday Night, but neither did he or his opponent from Money In The Bank show up on the blue brand. This is bad because not only does it halt the push for the storyline, it also gets the fans disinterested in the feud. If Roman Reigns couldn't make it, it would have been nice to see The Drifter come out and roast The Big Dog with his promos.
In the modern day and time, a segment would hold value especially considering the fact that Money In The Bank is just over a week away and hype now would have been helpful in making this the most talked about segment this week.
While it is a possibility that the two wrestlers in this match will be on TV next week, but not being on screen this week is an opportunity lost, and the company should have avoided that in the first place.
