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Because it was the season premiere of WWE SmackDown, it was always going to be a really packed show. With Triple H and Stephanie McMahon kickstarting the proceedings and the high-octane energy that followed, there was very little on WWE SmackDown that wasn't up to the mark.
However, because it was the season premiere and because of all the hype that was around WWE SmackDown, maybe one expected WWE SmackDown to be a little more newsworthy than it eventually was. Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you thought of this week's edition of WWE SmackDown.
Do you think that the analysts from 'real sports' who showed up for WWE SmackDown and the WWE Hall of Famers on the ThunderDome added a distinct flavor to WWE SmackDown this week?
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#1 Best: Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins begins on WWE SmackDown
When two top stars work with one another, it is always a good thing and so, the sight of Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins in a WWE SmackDown ring was a very positive development. Both men have come up through the independents and are two of the best workers in the entire WWE SmackDown roster, so when they work with one another, the money is guaranteed to flow.
The Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio feud has been going on since forever, and it may just be the right time for both men to move on to new opponents. Yes, the whole Murphy and Dominik Mysterio storyline is far from done, judging by what we saw on this week's edition of WWE SmackDown, but the storyline is winding down and new feuds are getting set in stone. Who else is excited at the thought of a Seth Rollins vs. Daniel Bryan feud?
#1 Worst: The WWE SmackDown commentary, especially Michael Cole
After reading this article, please go back and watch WWE SmackDown again, to get a sense of how many times Michael Cole used the word 'freak' during the match with Lars Sullivan this week. It's one thing to try and get a term over with the WWE SmackDown crowd but it's another thing entirely to overuse it to the point where it becomes annoying for those watching at home.
With all due respect to Michael Cole, who is certain to go into the WWE Hall of Fame one day, even if he were to retire tomorrow, there is just no freshness when he calls the action, there is just something extremely inorganic about him. Corey Graves was a different breed of announcer when he was a part of the NXT brand with Tom Phillips (and so was Tom Phillips), but on WWE SmackDown, somehow he too has become the prototypical WWE announcer. Who do you guys think is the best announcer in the pro wrestling business right now?
#2 Best: The New Day's highly emotional farewell on WWE SmackDown
The nature of WWE SmackDown and RAW is so very scripted in the year 2020, that when unscripted moments happen and genuine emotions are shown, they tend to stand out. The New Day is one of the greatest factions of our era and this week on WWE SmackDown, they had a heartbreaking moment when they officially disbanded as a group. Of course, this is not a positive development at all, but we had time to prepare for it considering that we knew all about it, and the fact that The New Day showed genuine emotion, just affected us all.
Of course, this isn't all doom and gloom for The New Day because all 3 of these men are destined for great things, even when they are separated.
Big E is pretty much guaranteed to be a huge singles star on WWE SmackDown and one even assumes a potential contender for Roman Reigns and The Universal Championship that he now holds. Provided Roman Reigns wins at Hell in a Cell, that is.
#2 Worst: An Otis vs. Sami Zayn feud on WWE SmackDown?
One of the poorest decisions of the Draft was, well, drafting the Intercontinental Championship as long as it was (in the 4th round of the 2nd night, to the WWE SmackDown brand, where it has been). The Intercontinental Championship has never been the most highly featured title in the company anyway, and even though the participants of the last Intercontinental Championship ladder match elevated it to the next level, it just seems like WWE made the wrong decision this week on WWE SmackDown. Otis and Sami Zayn had an interaction and honestly, they shouldn't be feuding for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Otis is Mr. Money in the Bank and Sami Zayn is the Intercontinental Champion.
If these two men clash one of them will have to take the loss on WWE SmackDown, and neither can afford to, at this particular point. Why couldn't someone like Murphy have stepped into the Intercontinental Championship picture against Sami Zayn? Or even someone like Dominik Mysterio, instead of Mr. Money in the Bank.
#3 Best: Roman Reigns unleashes a new finisher on WWE SmackDown
Roman Reigns has been the same character for so long that everyone was pleasantly surprised at his transformation on WWE SmackDown when he became the most despicable heel in the entire company. And during his match with Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns unleashed a brand new finisher as well this week on WWE SmackDown, which came out of the blue, as he made the Monster Among Men tap out.
Another article on this subject is coming soon, so it won't make sense to dwell on it for too long, but the fact that Roman Reigns' arsenal was so babyface-oriented was a problem considering his new heel persona. But this move fits him snugly like a glove too, and he even looks like a million bucks when he executes this move as well.
Do catch Denise Salcedo and Ryan K Boman from Sportskeeda as they review this week's show and run down the highlights from WWE SmackDown. Also, send your best wishes to Rick, our regular host, who's a bit under the weather right now.
