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Another episode of SmackDown is in the books, and unsurprisingly, there are mixed reviews. It was the penultimate SmackDown to Fastlane - a pay-per-view that seems to hold no purpose whatsoever.
While we'll get to that later, the focal point of the show was the Universal Championship picture, culminating in a contract signing in the main event. There were a lot of WrestleMania implications made as well. Here are some of the best and worst bits of SmackDown this week as we close in on the road to WrestleMania 37:
#4. Best: Seth Rollins' role on SmackDown
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Seth Rollins has been in an interesting position on SmackDown. Ever since returning to the Blue brand, he began a feud with Cesaro - a man with who he has crossed paths numerous times in the past.
This time, however, things seem to be different. Backstage on SmackDown, Seth Rollins was asked about Cesaro, and he shut him down, seemingly ready to move on. But the moment that Kayla Braxton mentioned the rematch between Cesaro and Murphy, the former Universal Champion took great interest.
Seth Rollins was watching from far, but the moment Cesaro hit Murphy with the swing, the former was triggered and interfered - causing a disqualification. He ended up beating down Cesaro, and when he went backstage, he was confronted by Shinsuke Nakamura - Cesaro's old tag team partner.
They had a face-off before Seth Rollins went away. We're interested to see where this leads. Will Cesaro and Seth Rollins face each other at Fastlane? Or will their feud continue on SmackDown until WrestleMania 37?
Or is it possible that Shinsuke Nakamura is going to enter the picture and get involved in some way as well? Is Murphy going to eventually re-align with Seth Rollins? There are many questions waiting to be answered on SmackDown in the coming weeks.
#3. Worst: The Reginald-Nia Jax segment on SmackDown
Something doesn't seem to be right on SmackDown. This isn't the first time that the women's division has seen a male figure have such an important role. Reginald's role was to be Carmella's assistant in her big character change.
Yet, Carmella struggles to find TV time while Reginald is getting featured on both RAW and SmackDown. While he isn't an in-ring career, his push for television time has been a bit unexpected.
This week on SmackDown, he had a role in three segments, the first of which saw Nia Jax take him shopping in return for a favor. That favor seemed to be costing Bianca Belair her match.
Later in the night, Reginald told Nia Jax that she should challenge for the SmackDown Women's title next week, and the match was randomly made official. The shopping segment, however, was uncomfortable and outright pointless. It feels like the time when James Ellsworth was the focal point of the women's division.
It's almost like WWE shooting themselves in the foot by making Reginald such an important figure.
#3. Best: The SmackDown tag team title picture is taking shape
The SmackDown Tag Team division hasn't set WWE on fire in the last few years, and it was arguably weakened in the pandemic era. The Street Profits' move to SmackDown in the 2020 Draft meant that they would become the key babyface team.
On the latest episode of SmackDown, the former Champions teamed up with Rey and Dominik Mysterio to take on The Alpha Academy and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler.
It was a fun eight-man tag team match that saw Montez Ford pick up the victory for his team by pinning Robert Roode. While we aren't crazy about WWE's handling of the SmackDown (or RAW) Tag Team division, we like how it's taking shape for WrestleMania 37.
The Street Profits vs. Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler could be the direction for Fastlane, but this match showed all the makings of a potential classic Fatal-Four-Way ladder match. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but this is a step in the right direction on SmackDown.
#2. Worst: The overly-complicated SmackDown Women's title picture
The SmackDown Women's Championship picture is way more complicated than it needs to be. One would imagine that since it's supposed to be a marquee WrestleMania match, WWE would protect the Champion and the challenger.
Yet, we saw Bianca Belair, the Women's Royal Rumble winner, getting pinned by Tamina of all people. While we understand that it was meant to establish Natalya and Tamina as Women's tag team title contenders, we're confused with everything that is happening.
Why do Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair have to compete for the Women's tag team titles? What purpose does it serve heading into WrestleMania? Why are so many Superstars tied up together?
Bianca Belair getting pinned by Tamina is a great way to cool off any momentum she had heading into WrestleMania 37. These are supposed to be the two best women on SmackDown, but they seemed to be intertwined with the likes of Reginald, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, etc.
We hope that post-Fastlane, they can have a feud without any other distractions.
#2. Best: Apollo and Big E's feud on SmackDown
Big E and Apollo Crews are two young and hungry stars on SmackDown. Both men find themselves in a great spot, and they're making the most out of what has been given to them.
Apollo Crews' attack on Big E a few weeks ago led to his first official heel turn in WWE and the emergence of a new character. This has added an edge to him, and the assault added an edge to Big E as well.
Big E defended the Intercontinental title successfully against Sami Zayn on SmackDown this week. While Zayn expected the Intercontinental title win to be the "perfect" ending to his documentary, he didn't get what he wanted.
Post-match, Apollo Crews snuck from behind and assaulted Big E again, standing tall over the steel steps. It was a huge statement made, and we could argue that it's the best and most consistent feud on SmackDown right now.
Apollo Crews may lose to Big E, but as long as he walks out looking better than before, then it doesn't matter.
#1. Worst: The overall build to Fastlane on SmackDown
There are only three matches announced for Fastlane 2021, and all are from SmackDown. This has raised a question in almost every WWE fans' mind - why have a pay-per-view two weeks before WrestleMania, especially one that has been given no importance.
For many of the feuds on RAW and SmackDown, they seem too big to happen at Fastlane. We're not sure what WWE's endgame is here, but it seems to be a pay-per-view for the sake of having one.
Next week will be the go-home episode of SmackDown to Fastlane 2021, and we hope to see some more matches announced. It could end up being a very short card that lasts less than three hours.
The pandemic era in WWE has seen pay-per-view runtime drastically reduce - including WrestleMania - which will be spread across two days. But looking at the build to WWE Fastlane 2021 on both RAW and SmackDown, one could argue that they would be better off as free TV matches instead.
#1. Best: Edge's involvement on SmackDown
Edge and Daniel Bryan's opening segment on SmackDown would likely have been slightly confusing to the newer fanbase. For those who never saw Edge in his prime, they were probably a bit surprised to see him justify the fact that Daniel Bryan lost at Elimination Chamber.
However, Edge is still the babyface on SmackDown. It's just character consistency - something that 99% of Superstars in WWE don't have. It was a good exchange, and Edge even interacted with Jey Uso backstage, asking him why he is playing the second fiddle to Roman Reigns.
Edge even made his presence known in the contract signing that closed SmackDown. He challenged Jey Uso to a match on SmackDown next week. The stipulation is that the winner will be the special enforcer at Fastlane 2021 in the main event.
We thought Edge had a good role on SmackDown despite not being the central figure. We're excited to watch him compete on SmackDown for the first time in over 10 years. He used to be the face of the brand for a long time.
