After a breakneck weekend here at Sportskeeda Wrestling News, we have still not recovered from Survivor Series. However, we have to get into pay per view mode again in just 2 weeks, for Smackdown Live’s exclusive show – TLC. This week’s episode dealt with the fallout from Survivor Series and attempted to build up to TLC.
Very honestly, based on the quality of wrestling that we’ve experienced this week; we felt that tonight’s show was a bit of a dampener. We shall reveal why it was so, in the analysis that follows.
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#1 Worst: Atrocious main event
Ellsworth, in his limited role as a mascot at Survivor Series, was the perfect fit. He got a massive pop and played his part to perfection. However when he main events a show, in a ladder match against the WWE Champion, all his weaknesses are exposed for the world to see.
Ellsworth has a lot of chinks in his armor, his work is weak and very honestly, does not deserve to main event a show with such legitimate contenders for the top Smackdown spot. Maybe at some other point in the show, this would have been interesting...but at the main event spot, it just got on our nerves.
#1 Best: Alexa Bliss vs David Otunga on commentary
Alexa Bliss is so good on commentary, that for the first time in the history of Smackdown Live, she even made David Otunga look good in the booth. Their back and forth banter was absolutely brilliant, and we can say with certainty that Alexa Bliss is a future women’s champion in WWE.
Her charisma is natural, and she plays her part to absolute perfection. WWE have a winner in their hands with Bliss, and we can only hope that they don’t think that her size is a detriment, to her success.
#2 Worst: Not capitalising on Survivor Series momentum
Coming off an absolutely stunning win at Survivor Series, we had hoped this would be Bray Wyatt’s chance to finally shine. The stage was set, but except for a segment with American Alpha, there was absolutely no sign of them.
More often than not, WWE mishandles Bray by showcasing him in silly backstage skits (remember Randy Orton's pursuit in cheesy horror movie format?). And now, when the time was ripe for him to shine, they did not have any segment with Wyatt. Quite baffling, truth be told!
#2 Best: Push for American Alpha
As much as we love Rhyno and Heath Slater, American Alpha is the team that needs to be pushed to the moon, and WWE is finally taking the necessary steps to do it. Today, the amateur wrestling duo won the Tag Team Turmoil and earned their title opportunity.
Them getting booked in a feud against the Wyatts will only enhance their credibility in the long run. We do hope that this momentum carries on, and American Alpha really goes places.
#3 Worst: Only punishing the heels
We thought that babyface authority figures were supposed to be impartial, and not biased towards the babyfaces. So while Baron Corbin gets punished with a match verus Kane and The Miz gets punished by having to defend his Intercontinental title against Kalisto, Dolph Ziggler gets rewarded with a title match for attacking The Miz from behind?
Moreover, Kalisto gets to battle Corbin in a chairs match (booked on Talking Smack), despite the fact that he interfered in the Kane vs Corbin match? If I was the Miz, I would want to move to Raw as well, and fast!
#3 Best: Good build for TLC
While today’s show wasn't the best, it built up nicely for the upcoming pay-per-view. There's a reason for every match at TLC, and a lot of feuds will culminate at TLC, for fresh feuds to start, which is always a relief. Dolph Ziggler and The Miz in a ladder match is always an exciting prospect, and Nikki Bella versus Carmella in a no disqualification match was a long time coming.
Of course, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles will tear it up in the main event too, if it doesn’t turn into a comedy affair with the interference of James Ellsworth, that is.
#4 Worst: Lack of star power
There's no dearth of talent on Smackdown Live. But it’s just that the show lacks the kind of star power that Raw has with Owens, Jericho, Ambrose and Reigns. Heck, we don’t even know who can challenge Styles next for the championship, truthfully.
Smackdown needs to build some new stars and build them very fast indeed.
#4 Best : Alexa Bliss in action
With due apologies to AJ Styles, we end this ‘Best and Worst’ article today, with the best thing on Smackdown Live- Alexa Bliss.
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