SmackDown Live came to us this week from Des Moines, Iowa. On the heels of a disappointing Raw, we had high expectations from the show overall. Unfortunately, while the segments in this week’s show seemed awesome at a preview level, the actual episode taught us a rather valuable lesson. All that glitters is not gold.
While the episode wasn’t absolutely dreadful, it had more bad moments than good ones. There seems to be an air of complacency around SmackDown Live after some solid episodes immediately following Wrestlemania 33.
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Where did they go wrong this week? What aspects of the show did they deliver upon? Let's mull on them in our ‘Best and Worst’ countdown.
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#1 Worst: Absolutely ruining Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura is not a native English speaker. He hails from the land of the Rising Sun and makes up for his lack of promo ability with his charisma and in-ring skills. As we had speculated in our preview, an interview segment to open the show would expose Nakamura’s only weakness to the world. Sadly, all our fears came to pass this week.
While Dolph Ziggler interrupted Nakamura before he could begin to cut a promo, Ziggler’s own promo comparing Nakamura to Michael Jackson did him no favours. Nor did the new nickname of ‘The Artist’, replacing 'The King of Strong Style’, presumably a tribute to the legendary Prince.
The whole segment came off as hokey and uninspired, and the writing seemed far inferior to the usual standards of creativity that SmackDown is known for. We hope that ‘Creative’ realises that you do not book Nakamura like you book the rest of the roster!
#1 Best: The land of opportunity
SmackDown utilises the talent that its limited roster has far better than Raw for sure. Not only did Jinder Mahal get to launch his push into high gear this week, Breezango are now your surprise Number 1 contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
This is a decision that is bound to excite many Tyler Breeze fans, who believe that he’s not been booked right upon his arrival to the main roster of the company.
Even Erick Rowan's match against the WWE Champion Randy Orton wasn’t an absolute squash, proving that SmackDown is trying to create new stars on a regular basis. Unfortunately, this now brings us to a bigger problem.
#2 Worst: Underwhelming champions
With the exception of Kevin Owens, the rest of the champions in the show seem lukewarm. Naomi is the champion for now, but it’s clear that the company wants to build the SmackDown Women’s Division around Charlotte Flair.
The Usos did not even get a match at Wrestlemania 33 and are now in a program with Breezango. However, the biggest problem, by far; is the WWE Champion ‘The Viper’ Randy Orton.
Orton’s matches are always 'fine’, but they lack the fire and the intensity of a lot of other Superstars in the roster. His segments are never atrocious, but they’re always middling between ‘satisfactory’ and ‘quite decent’.
Orton needs an exciting program to revive his character, or the fans will stop caring about him altogether. They already seem halfhearted in their appreciation, except when he's setting up the RKO.
#2 Best: Guess who's back again?
Rusev has been drafted to SmackDown but is out, nursing a legitimate injury. We saw him in a segment this week, asking for a title opportunity at Money in the Bank (presumably the time he’ll make his return), or he’ll pack his bags and go home to Bulgaria.
In a t-shirt, with a non-heightened accent, it seemed like there had been a revamp of Rusev’s character when compared to the corny European 80s heel gimmick he had been playing. His return is highly awaited.
So is his wife Lana’s return, when she debuts her new gimmick, that of an alluring and seductive glamorous dancer. The coming months should be a treat indeed.
#3 Worst: Predictable interference
We understand not wanting to give away a big Championship match on free TV, but the main event match seemed quite underwhelming indeed. Especially, when we saw the interference happening, from a mile away.
Also, we suppose we’ll have to let go of the expectation that Naomi can have any matches at the same calibre that Sasha Banks had during her long feud with Charlotte Flair on Raw. The sooner the belt is on Charlotte Flair, the better it is for the whole women’s division.
#3 Best: The ‘House of Horrors’ promo
WWE may be lacking on the creative front, but their promos are quite extraordinary. With a great narrative, excellent visual effects and also the right spooky music for the job, the ‘House of Horrors’ promo for the match between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt was really cool. Now, we honestly want to see their match at Payback, this Sunday.
Until next week, folks.
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