Talking Smack started with host Renee Young welcoming the Smackdown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan and Commissioner Shane McMahon. The panel addressed the Superstar shakeup and Bryan pointed out that he was sorry for Renee now that Dean Ambrose was on Monday Night RAW.
They all agreed on the fact that the proceedings on SmackDown LIVE were a bit more peaceful now that The Miz and Maryse have gone.
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#1 Dolph Ziggler
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Ziggler was the first guest on the show and Renee asked him about the apple in his hand. Ziggler retaliated by saying that Dean was removed from the blue brand because he requested it personally.
Dolph said that the shakeup had changed the landscape of the WWE and that he was a big fan of the Shining Stars. He pointed out that he learnt Shinsuke’s name for the first time and that he did not follow his work in other promotions.
He acknowledged the fact that Nakamura was over with the crowd, and he said that the WWE Universe would have to pay good money to watch him lock horns with Nakamura. Shane mentioned that despite his work in NXT, Nakamura was still a rookie in the blue brand and Ziggler added to that, saying that all these skirmishes in the ring were building up to a big match.
Dolph Ziggler said that he had been receiving texts about SmackDown being the “cool” show on the WWE Network. Daniel chimed in saying that older guys like himself and Shane could be cool too.
Daniel Bryan recalled a story from back in 2002 when he, Nakamura and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida roomed together in Santa Monica, CA. Bryan said that he admired Nakamura’s dedication while training. He pointed out that Shinsuke was probably the biggest wrestling star in Japan, and he left it all to come to NXT and has now made it to the main roster.
Renee shifted gears by speaking about the Women’s roster and the addition of Charlotte and Tamina. Shane credited Bryan for the trade. Bryan shrugged it off and said that he was sad to lose Alexa and Mickie James. However, he stated that Charlotte was a bona fide main eventer and he was looking forward to seeing her compete in the blue brand.
#2 Jinder Mahal
New draft pick Jinder Mahal joined the show, and Renee suggested that he should have been shirtless given the work that he has been putting in. Jinder addressed the issue, saying that he had the best physique in the WWE and added that he believes that he was the most improved wrestler in the WWE.
Jinder told the panel that he would have won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal if it weren’t for Rob Gronkowski. He asked Shane why Gronk had not been banned from every WWE event after his actions at Wrestlemania. They looked at the footage from Wrestlemania 33 and Shane pointed out that Jinder had provoked Gronk.
Jinder Mahal said that Gronk had cost him his fresh start on SmackDown LIVE. Shane brought up his workout regime and Mahal mentioned that he was out working everyone in the WWE. He said that he had the potential to be a top star and he was ready to fight Mojo Rawley, AJ Styles, and Kevin Owens.
Jinder then left the panel and Bryan said that he was still bitter about the New England Patriots beating the Seahawks.
Bryan also said that a lot of people have been talking about Jinder’s physique over the past few weeks, but he was more concerned with the fact that his in-ring work had improved considerably.
The three panellists spoke about the tag team Championship match and Daniel hoped that the Usos would draw more people to the tag team division with their charisma and personality.
#3 Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens walked into the frame and tossed his shoes on the table. Bryan was disapproving of the fact that Owens’ shoes were made of leather. Owens quickly congratulated Renee about something, but Shane interrupted him, saying that they would not talk about it.
Renee pointed out that congratulations were in order because the United States Champion Kevin Owens was on SmackDown LIVE. Shane asked Owens how it felt to open SmackDown LIVE and Owens replied that he did not care about crowd reactions.
He said that he was happy to be on SmackDown LIVE till Sami Zayn made his way to the blue brand as well. Bryan said that Sami was under-utilized on RAW and SmackDown would be a great stage for Sami to showcase his skills.
Owens, keeping true to his heel persona, asked Shane and Bryan why he had not been drafted to SmackDown in the first place when the draft took place. Owens pointed out that he was on SmackDown just because he was the United States Champion.
Shane said that he was not happy with Owens’ attitude. Owens stated that he did not believe in the tagline that portrayed Smackdown as the “Land of Opportunities.” He mentioned that he was bitter about the top brass not drafting him to Smackdown LIVE earlier, and added that he would turn the place into “KO Country.”
Renee asked Owens about his match with Chris Jericho at Payback. Owens said that he would win that match and stay on SmackDown LIVE with his title. Owens stated that he would then shift his focus to AJ Styles and beat the Phenomenal One just like he did on RAW and Smackdown before the brand split.
He forced a ‘Yes’ chant out of Daniel Bryan and pointed out that he did not care about Renee’s opinions. Owens then asked for his shoes and wished Daniel the best of luck on becoming a father. Tensions were high after Owens left and Renee closed the show on that hostile note.
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