A drop in ratings two weeks ago forced both brands to pick up their game, and we’re happy to report that the overall quality of content for both Raw and SmackDown Live has improved significantly since then. Yet again, the blue brand produced a pretty entertaining episode, but one that was not without its faults.
Live from San Diego in California, the audience in the arena was hot, and we wonder if they made the show seem better than it actually was with their infectious enthusiasm. In any case, let’s re-examine the episode and look at what worked and what bombed in this best and worst list.
Trending
#1 Best: The right choice yet again
Carmella won the first ever Money in the Bank ladder match by devious means and besmirched the history of women’s wrestling, according to many of our readers. When we found out there would be a rematch, we were alarmed at first, because we couldn’t see anyone else needing the briefcase as much as her.
Charlotte and Becky Lynch will always be in the mix at the top, Tamina Snuka (with all due respect) is just not championship material at the moment, and we can’t see WWE putting the title on Natalya, as talented as she is.
Carmella has got the look, she has got the momentum thanks to her MITB escapades, and the rumour mills indicate that WWE is very invested in her. Go, Carmella!
Also read: Fans go wild after Jeff Hardy mentions CM Punk in an interview
#1 Worst: A rather disappointing sequel
This is not a knock on the women because they really gave this match their all. This is more a criticism of the match itself because the same women put on a far better showcase in the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
There were some sloppy spots in this match, and a splash from Tamina looked quite bad. Sure, this was a significantly safer match, and safety is of paramount concern for the performers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t help but feel a little underwhelmed by the show overall.
#2 Best: The return of the Punjabi Prison
We reported it first! The Punjabi Prison returns at Battleground and while we know that many of you would list this match as a ‘worst’, let's remember that WWE has probably learned from its previous debacle and will take steps to make sure things go smoothly.
Moreover, like it or not, this match just shakes things up in a big way. As a close personal friend of The Great Khali, it gives the advantage to Jinder Mahal, at least in kayfabe. While Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton have not had the most exciting matches recently, the very nature of the Punjabi Prison should make it an entertaining affair.
#2 Worst: Some avoidable botches
Jinder Mahal creates a massive impact instantly with his imposing physique, his entourage and his catchy music. Where he fails in some regards is his promo delivery. Jinder Mahal showed how ill-equipped he was to be a top guy this early when he fumbled his lines during his English promo.
Like Stone Cold Steve Austin pointed out in his recent podcast with Wade Keller, when Jinder switches to Punjabi, he seems far more at ease. In any case, we’re confident that Jinder is always learning and will be much better quite soon.
Tom Phillips made the other big botch of the evening, as he seemed to forget Tamina Snuka’s name in the middle of the MITB match. He called her Natalya first, and then Naomi, until he finally gathered his senses and got the name right, once and for all.
#3 Best: Fashion Vice & the new mystery
Fandango and Tyler Breeze have finally found their niche. Mystery storylines are always interesting (think Enzo and Cass), but what makes the Fashion Files so interesting is the fact that Tyler Breeze and Fandango have changed the very nature of telling stories.
Their segments are goofy and hokey, but they are always entertaining. There's still the pending storyline with regard to who attacked these two men. WWE has come closer to nailing the ‘Broken Hardy’ segments with these weekly skits than they did with the segment in the Wyatt compound.
#3 Worst: Bad ad placement
At a time when attention spans are slowly dropping, WWE has been alienating their fans by taking ad breaks between matches. This week, we missed a segment because of SmackDown Live's ad break. Aiden English came to the ring, only to be interrupted by The Viper.
We returned from commercial to see no sign of English and had to watch a recap to see what had actually transpired. Can’t the ad breaks be planned a little better? It’s disrespectful to the talent on the roster.
#4 Best: Daniel Bryan’s presence
GM Daniel Bryan’s presence is invaluable to SmackDown Live. Since he’s been back, the crowds have screamed themselves hoarse chanting his catchphrase and made the show feel positive and optimistic.
It's unfortunate that no current Superstar is as ‘over’ as Bryan right now. Do we want him every week? Yes! Yes! Yes! Let's end on a ravishing note and hope next week’s episode is just as good.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
