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It's been a rough ride WWE SmackDown Live. While certain shows deliver and others don't, it is impossible to deny that there's been a drop in quality since the first brand split. This week wasn't the strongest showing for the blue brand. We cannot help but admit that we were disappointed with the show.
The talent is just as good as it ever was. It is the writing that lets us down, more often than not. Very little of consequence happened this week, on the road to the Royal Rumble.
Remember how, in the Royal Rumble events of the past, there were several feuds built up on TV that would come to a head in the ring? None of that seems par for the course, this time around.
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For what it is worth, we do confess that we were let down with this episode of SmackDown Live.
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#1 Best: Several unanswered questions
When Daniel Bryan faced the Authority, we knew that he would have a moment of triumph at WrestleMania. It is clear to see that Jason Jordan will go heel soon, considering the way that he's being booked at the moment.
Therefore we give WWE props for not showing their hand when it comes to the Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan storyline. There are several ways in which it could pan out, and each one of them would forever transform the landscape of SmackDown Live.
The same could be said for Dolph Ziggler, who will feature in the US Title tournament in some manner. Only, we don't know how he will.
SmackDown Live has kept us guessing and we give the blue brand some props.
#1 Worst: A lopsided main event
We understand it from a storyline perspective. However, in the overall context, it did play out strangely on television.
Shane McMahon booked a handicap match at the top of the show, where the babyfaces outnumbered the heels. As one would expect, the faces obliterated the heels. When McMahon made the match 'No DQ', we expected some dastardly shenanigans from Owens and Zayn, but to no real avail!
The booking on SmackDown Live is quite bizarre indeed. It could have been a regular tag team match, and it would have served the same purpose.
Let's give Road Dogg and crew the benefit of the doubt, and hope that this plays into the ongoing story next week.
#2 Best: Still bulletproof
Until a few weeks ago, The Bludgeon Brothers were facing nameless enhancement talents. At present, they've moved on to real opponents like 'The Ascension'.
We're glad to see that the results are much the same. The matches are not competitive. They are all one sided beat downs.
We dare say that The Bludgeon Brothers are the SmackDown Live equivalent of Braun Strowman. That they're being protected is definitely quite admirable.
#2 Worst: A big upset
We are all for surprises. And like we've mentioned in the past, we're all for Breezango. However, we did think that they should not have pinned Rusev Day this week. This is because Rusev and Aiden English are the hottest thing on brand blue right now.
Imagine how much promise we all thought Rusev had, when he first made his debut. Some of us still think that his run may be salvaged. WWE Creative obviously feels quite differently!
#3 Best: A strong return
Booking has not always been kind to Becky Lynch. Yes, she was the first ever SmackDown Live Women's Champion and yes, she's still over with the WWE Universe. It just seems like WWE Creative does not see her at the same level as the other Horsewomen. Thankfully, they protected her this week.
Her match with Ruby Riott could have gone either way. After all, Riott is the new star on SmackDown Live, and one may expect her to win. However, this was Becky Lynch's night, and we sincerely hope that she has a strong showing at the Royal Rumble.
#3 Worst: Breaking character on screen
In the first segment of the show, we saw Sami Zayn being an annoying, despicable heel. During the course of the show, we saw him announce to Becky Lynch, that he would be her partner at the Mixed Match Challenge. The two superstars started hugging. It took the charm out of the first segment.
The same could be said about Natalya teaming up with Shinsuke Nakamura for the tournament. Couldn't the Mixed Match Challenge vignettes have been kept off the show? Must everyone break kayfabe?
#4 Best/Worst: Mojo Rawley
We're glad that WWE has decided to do something with Mojo Rawley, at last. He defeated Zack Ryder to go to the next round in the US Title Tournament. This is significant because he did nothing since winning the 'Andre the Giant' Memorial Battle Royal at all. At least, now he has a semblance of a push.
What we despise however, is his new theme. It is jarring and quite annoying. Did the CFO$ have an off day?
And that concludes this week's SmackDown Live recap. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda Wrestling for more updates from WWE, as they happen, through the week.
We'll be sure to tune in next week, to put it simply, because of the following Tweet.
