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This week's episode of SmackDown Live was the go-home show right before the final stop leading up to WrestleMania. This weekend, the men and women of SmackDown Live will participate in the final brand-exclusive pay-per-view- WWE Fastlane. This week's episode was a mix of ups and downs. To be fair, it was not a show that got us excited for Fastlane.
There were certain aspects that we did enjoy. There were other aspects we did not. One thing we can all agree upon is that SmackDown Live is no longer the amazing show it used to be.
The wrestling is almost as good as ever. It is the creative that has let the show down, week after week.
To what it is worth, here's our take on the events that unfolded in this week's episode of SmackDown Live.
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#1 Best: King of Song Style
English has never been Nakamura's first language. He makes do with his limited vocabulary and incredible charisma, in addition to his in-ring skills. We're always scared of the damage that Nakamura does to his character every time he is put into a promo-cutting environment. This week, Nakamura excelled.
Nakamura was hilarious as he sang the strains of a tune we know so well. Only instead of Rusev Day, this was the tune for Nakamura Day! We must commend Nakamura on his set of pipes, because he sounded awesome.
Nakamura has not been in a program since he won the Royal Rumble. This has been lazy writing on WWE's part, in our opinion (he could have been defending his spot at Fastlane against an opponent), but this segment had social media buzzing.
Rusev and Nakamura are two stars who got over on their own, because they connect so organically with the crowd.
#1 Worst: Cena shows up on the wrong brand
John Cena was on RAW talking about his match at Fastlane this week. While he could have been a part of the blue brand, and actually built the match with the performers involved, he chose to show up on RAW and have a match against Goldust instead.
To us, this decision from Cena made no sense at all. It was as illogical as him believing he does not have a road to WrestleMania. He's John Cena...WWE'll find a match for him!
AJ Styles was forced to address Cena's promo from RAW on SmackDown Live. Couldn't the two men have had a face-to-face instead?
Extremely strange booking!
#2 Best: The advertised main event
It wasn't the best match AJ Styles has had. It wasn't even the best match that Dolph ZIggler has had. However, both men put on a great showcase this week. From amateur wrestling holds to high spots, this match did feel quite interesting.
To our dismay, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would disrupt the match. We hope that the two men get another chance to share the stage in a singles environment. Both bring out the best in one another.
We wonder about Ziggler's character though. Is he a babyface or a heel, at this point?
#2 Worst: Giving away the Fastlane main event
Days before the Fastlane pay-per-view, we already saw the main event. Is there any reason to tune in for the actual match anymore? The only differences are that John Cena will be in the main event of Fastlane and the title will be on the line. Somehow, that still does not cut it for us.
Yes, of course the match was great. The five men involved in the main event of SmackDown Live put it all on the line. Sadly, it was like watching a movie before the theatrical release.
Once again, we must allude to the fact that this match was quite possibly put together because WWE did not have a creative idea to fill time. Why not do something with The New Day and The Usos ahead of their contest?
#3 Best: The Owens-Zayn sub-story
It will be interesting to see if Owens and Zayn remain friends come Fastlane. After all, Zayn did pick up a win after pinning his best friend, this week. This is after he made a promise that he will lay down for Owens. Are the two men set for a feud, down the line?
If there's anything to look forward to, with regard to the Fastlane match, it concerns the next chapter of the Owens-Zayn rivalry. We wonder what's next for the two best friends.
#3 Worst: Making way for the Glorious One
Ruby Riott and Charlotte Flair exchanged strong words at the beginning of SmackDown Live. Riott gave the signal to her girls, and they had the Champion surrounded. And then, the music hit. Bobby Roode made his way down to the ring.
Charlotte Flair stood in the middle of the ring, blushing, as her MMC partner arrived at ringside and the Riott Squad cleared out almost simultaneously. It made no logical sense to us why Bobby Roode's presence would prevent the Riott Squad from taking The Queen out.
#4 Best/worst: The card for Fastlane
Fastlane is a top-heavy pay-per-view, with a weak under card. Two matches were made this week. While it's always great to see talents like Nakamura, Rusev, Becky Lynch, Naomi etc. get on the card, there's been almost no build to their matches. It's difficult to care when there's no back story.
We're hoping for the best, come Fastlane. Let's hope WWE does manage to pull a rabbit out of their hat and deliver on the big stage. Fastlane should have major WrestleMania 34 implications.
That's where we'll see you next. Join us on Sunday Night for more 'Best and Worst'.
We're on the Fastlane to WrestleMania...
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