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We are now officially just one week away from the Survivor Series pay-per-view. After a decent episode of RAW, the WWE Improved their narrative in this week's episode of Smackdown LIVE.
While RAW had a lot of other programs excluding the Brand War like the Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose feud, and Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman "The Authority program", Smackdown Live show remained concerned only about the Traditional Survivor Series match. The only segment that didn't involve the 5-on-5 classic match was the much-awaited debut of Nikki Cross who answered the open challenge of Becky Lynch.
While the blue-brand did emphasize more on advancing the storylines, the in-ring stuff was no slouch. All the matches that took place in this episode of the show were top-class.
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With the Survivor Series fast approaching, the company did tease many things during some of these matches, and the segments.
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Here are 5 things that WWE conveyed to the WWE Universe through this episode of Smackdown Live.
#1 The name McMahon can get things done in WWE
The name McMahon can get you things that even the most talented wrestlers cannot. In the case of Shane McMahon, it can get you the World Cup despite competing only in the finals, a "Best in the World" tag, and a spot in the Men's survivor series team over other active wrestlers like Rusev, Randy Orton, Eric Young, and Andrade Cien Almas.
The World Cup that Shane won had no progress in his character as he acted like a complete babyface and dedicated his win to the people in the back. This win did not even serve a purpose in the Brand Wars feud as well.
While a spot in the men's team could have been the place to try out some new breakout superstars like Almas and Young against the best of RAW, WWE instead gave the spot to the Smackdown Live commissioner. Shane could have been their team manager instead of taking part in the match. The Shane McMahon's spot feels like a wasted opportunity much like his World Cup win.
#2 New Day and The Usos are still the best tag teams in WWE
Tag teams usually get stale after a year or two, and the charismatic member of the team gets pushed into singles competition, and other members in the team struggle in the mid-card or lower mid-card. This has happened even to the best of Tag Teams like Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian, and even the Dudley Boys.
But this has not been the case with New Day, and the Usos. This is because of their unique characters, the matches they put on, and the merchandise that they sell.
The Usos and The New Day went up against each other for the zillionth time, and the WWE Universe enjoyed like it was a fresh match. The Usos defeated the New Day to earn the role of captain and in a show of respect, New Day was their first pick.
#3 WWE still doesn't think Andrade Cien Almas is ready
Andrade Cien Almas is one of the best and the brightest star to have emerged from NXT. Like many in the past, Almas has ruled the NXT but does not get the same push or recognition in the main roster.
It is a shame that WWE cannot recognize the talent possessed by this young man who just turned 29. He was not even in the qualification match of the Survivor Series spot for the Men's team and he is also not involved in any program as of now.
His match last night against Rey Mysterio, and the other previous match ups against the likes of AJ Styles, Rusev is a testimonial to the in-ring quality that he possesses. WWE needs to push this young star, instead of the part-timers or the legends of the industry. Maybe the return of Zelina Vega can push him.
#4 The Miz and Daniel Bryan feud is far from done
Samoa Joe attacked Daniel Bryan last week, and The Miz was replaced by the commissioner Shane McMahon in the finals of the World Cup which made the WWE Universe think that the Miz and Daniel Bryan program was over, and they will move onto new things.
But WWE seems to have long time plans for this duo as they were named as the co-captains of the Smackdown Live Men's team for the classic 5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination tag team match.
Their drama was the heart of this entire show, as they had a task of picking the other members of the team. It was good to see the tension between the team members as Daniel Bryan attacked Samoa Joe for the assault from last weeks, and even attacking the other members Shane McMahon and The Miz who tried to separate them.
#5 Smackdown Live can still do well without their champions unlike RAW
Except for Becky Lynch, none of the other champions in the Smackdown Live featured in any meaningful segments, or matches. Both AJ and Nakamura cut short promos from backstage while the Bar was seen watching the New Day vs Usos match.
This is unlike RAW who have struggled to put up a good episode in the absence of their part-time Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Seth Rollins holding the Intercontinental Championship is the only thing that is bringing relevancy back to RAW in the unavailability of their former Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
The 3-hour long episode can be the reason for this happening, but at times even the 2-hour Smackdown Live has its own drawback as it cannot include a chunk of talents like Tye Dillinger, The Club. It is up to WWE to figure the solution for this problem.
