Best & Worst of SmackDown after SummerSlam: 3 superstars getting a title push, Failed heel turn?

#3. Worst: The SmackDown Women's title fallout

With regard to her "controversial" #SummerSlam return...@BeckyLynchWWE wants to apologize for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HP89FyEfz5

— WWE (@WWE) August 28, 2021

WWE pushed themselves into a corner with how they handled the SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam. While Becky Lynch's return undoubtedly got a great reaction from the live crowd, the handling of the brand's Women's title match was controversial for fair reasons.

Bianca Belair, who carried SmackDown's women's division for all of 2020 was done away with in 27 seconds. Although the crowd loved Lynch and her return, they booed when she mentioned the way she won the title.

However, she justified it by saying that she has been in WWE long enough to know that timing is everything. It was met with a bad reaction but Belair came out to a huge pop, which was a good sign. Becky Lynch promptly walked away when Zelina Vega, Carmella, and Liv Morgan made their presence known on the show.

Bianca Belair had to go through three other women in an elimination match to become the No. 1 contender to the SmackDown Women's title. It looks like Lynch vs. Belair is the direction we're getting at Extreme Rules.

WHAT. A. BATTLE.The #ESTofWWE has earned a shot at @BeckyLynchWWE's #SmackDown Women's Title! pic.twitter.com/GyCIlwVaQf

— WWE (@WWE) August 28, 2021

The Becky Lynch heel turn failed on the first attempt. There was a lot that went wrong with the segment and matches, especially with the fact that Bianca Belair didn't get an immediate rematch. The only positive takeaway is that Liv Morgan had a good showing on this week's episode.