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The end of RAW last week set social media on fire, with everyone wondering what was next in the battle of WWE's two brands. We're certain it made a lot more people tune in than usual, but did the eventual product deliver?
We bring you our analysis of the show that just concluded at the BMO Harris Bank Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In many ways, we were disappointed with what was served to us. Overall, this show scores a thumbs down in our books.
However, opinions are subjective and therefore you are welcome to chime in with your valuable comments, in the section below. What did you think of the show?
Without further ado, here is the 'Best and Worst' of SmackDown Live, WWE's 'B-Show'.
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#1 Worst: No retribution
Only a few hours ago, we saw the invasion of the red brand and were curious to see how the aftermath plays out on the blue brand.
Other than recaps and references made to the attack, and a supposed security force that was guarding the arena from the outside, there was no sign of any RAW Superstars. Much like us, a lot of fans probably turned up disappointed at how things played out.
Not only does it make RAW look like a weak brand which does not want any compensation for the damage done, we wonder if it turns off viewers after getting them invested in a particular angle. Even a verbal warning from Kurt Angle would have served the purpose had it been shown on the titantron.
We're certain there will be a RAW invasion down the line, but maybe the SmackDown invasion on RAW should have been held off till then?
#1 Best: Logical reasoning
Shane McMahon returned to SmackDown Live for the first time since Hell in a Cell at the top of the show and addressed the WWE Universe. He mentioned the reason for the attack on RAW stemmed from the fact that Angle made a mockery of the SmackDown Live roster.
Traditionally SmackDown Live has always been seen as the B-Show, and the explanation made perfect sense from McMahon's perspective. It proved why a babyface like him would show strong heelish tendencies. It justified the invasion, at least in the storyline.
We also loved Ziggler telling Roode later in the show, that just because they were part of an invasion together, they were not friends. Such small details fit perfectly into the larger picture.
Of course, not everything fit perfectly...
#2 Worst: A pointless feud?
Superstars like Rusev, Nakamura, and Tye Dillinger did not get TV time this week. Yet Corbin is currently locked in a pointless feud with Sin Cara. No offence to the man but couldn't the Title have been used to book a formidable opponent for the Lone Wolf? It would eventually help Corbin too.
The current storyline has Corbin being thwarted by Sin Cara, time and time again. We believe that it's just a program to kill time, heading into the non-title match against The Miz at Survivor Series.
A passing reference to his upcoming Survivor Series match could have helped his cause too. Let's hope that this feud comes to a close.
#2 Best: Dissent between the two authority figures
One of the things that we really enjoyed about this episode is the fact that Daniel Bryan did not approve of the invasion on RAW, carried out by Shane McMahon. He was worried about consequences, and WWE is teasing that there could be dissent between the two men.
Whenever there are two authority figures, there is generally friction between the men (or women). For the most part, Bryan and McMahon have been on the same page, thus far. This swerve could lead to some really interesting outcomes, in the months that follow.
Could Shane McMahon turn fully heel someday, somewhere down the line?
#3 Worst: Ellsworth the dog
WWE has treated us to various sights in its storied history. We've seen men buried alive, set on fire, thrown off Hell in a Cells, among other things. However, the transformation of James Ellsworth from metaphorically being Carmella's lapdog to becoming an actual dog could put most absurdist literature to shame.
Ellsworth was great as a character in the past. Remember Survivor Series last year, where Ellsworth, as the SmackDown Live team mascot, eliminated Strowman? How cool was that?
This current dog gimmick isn't funny, insults the intelligence of the viewers and does not advance any storylines at all. He was far better when he was Carmella's loyal companion.
Everything went awry after they kissed!
#3 Best: Becky Lynch's moment of glory
Becky Lynch could compete with Luke Harper for the position of most misused superstar on SmackDown Live. Only, Rusev may have a thing to say about that as well.
In any case, we're glad to report that she will be leading Team SmackDown Live at Survivor Series. This is a big deal, because Lynch won a fatal 5 way match to achieve the same. It's been a while since we saw Lynch win anything of any significance.
Lynch has the look, the skills and certainly, the support of the WWE Universe. Who wouldn't want to see her as the SmackDown Live Women's Champion again?
So we conclude with the hope of a better episode next week, hopefully with an invasion and the thought of Becky Lynch as Champion. We aren't very demanding at all!
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