The biggest winners and losers of last night's SmackDown (September 17)

Disclaimer: The views of the author do not necessarily represent that of Sportskeeda

Last night's SmackDown was an electric episode. Clearly, WWE is gearing up for the blue brand's move to Fox in just a couple of weeks, and it set up a main event for the maiden episode worthy of a big four pay per view. Clearly, though, there are some rough edges still to be worked out, as much of the rest of the episode dragged. Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan will be the talking points going forward though, and all was well there.

Who got the most and least out of last night's show?

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Winner/Loser: SmackDown

Admittedly, it's hard to call this one up or down, because there are so many ways to interpret it.

Brock Lesnar appearing on the Blue brand for the first time in years was a huge shock that got the appropriate response. The announcement that he will be taking on Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship on SmackDown's Fox debut episode is also huge. It's the first time that Lesnar will wrestle on television since his return to WWE in 2012. That creates a lot of anticipation to watch. One has to imagine that Lesnar will win. In many ways, it would be an appropriate ending to WWE's storybook title reign, which has been the best booked in ages.

But what of the aftermath? That only leaves SmackDown to suffer with the same problems Raw has had over the past couple of years - an absentee world champion.

Those problems would only get worse if WWE dares set up another Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns program. Roman Reigns has a lot of goodwill this year, but we can be sure that no fans are interested in seeing a renewal of that rivalry.

Short term, this was a boon. Long term it presents danger.

Winner: Ali

Before a scheduled match between Ali and Shinsuke Nakamura, the former got ambushed and taunted by Sami Zayn.

And just like that, we have an interesting Intercontinental title program. It's also a big opportunity for Ali, who hasn't had much to do of late. Given the big push he was supposed to get early in the year, many fans have wondered when it would be renewed. Perhaps this is the start.

He probably won't wind up winning the title from Nakamura, but you never know.

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Loser: Kevin Owens

Can someone please tell me why Kevin Owens is still embroiled in this angle with Shane McMahon? Owens vowed he would "hurt" Shane McMahon. Are we forgetting that that's exactly what happened at SummerSlam?

What is it with Shane McMahon angles going way longer than they should? All it's doing is killing the momentum Owens built up over the summer.

When you see the other possibilities out there and then look at how much TV time is wasted on Shane McMahon, you can't help but shake your head. This is helping nobody.

Winner: Chad Gable

Chad Gable interrupted Baron Corbin's coronation. There wasn't much to this segment, but at least it means that Gable is likely to stay on TV for a little while longer. The feud with Corbin doesn't appear to be over yet.

We'll just need to see where it goes, but it's a small up for him.

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Winner: Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan again insisted his innocence, that he never lied to fans. He praised Rowan, but disclaimed any responsibility for his actions. Luke Harper assisted Rowan in the beating of both Bryan and Reigns that followed.

And just like that, Daniel Bryan is a babyface again.

For now, it appears he'll form an alliance with Roman Reigns, but with Brock Lesnar looming over the WWE title picture, one must wonder - might a rematch with Daniel Bryan, a repeat of last year's electric encounter at Survivor Series, be in the cards?

If so, a Brock Lesnar title reign might not be that terrible, even if it will be a chore until then.