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The episode of WWE SmackDown that followed WrestleMania may have been even weaker than RAW was. WWE SmackDown's red counterpart received quite a bit of criticism online for not making the post-WrestleMania episode feel special. The Friday night episode did not deliver at all.
This episode of WWE SmackDown almost felt like a regular show as opposed to a post-WrestleMania episode, which is a sour note to even start the review. It's impossible to view this show as a post-WrestleMania edition because there were no surprises, no twists and turns, and certainly no debuts.
There was very little to like about this edition of WWE SmackDown and it is clear that a lot of feuds will continue until WrestleMania Backlash 2021. This is not an exciting prospect at all, to be quite honest.
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People generally view WWE Smackdown and RAW after WrestleMania as new beginnings which wasn't the case at all here. It felt like an episode of Seinfeld, where NOTHING HAPPENED.
#1 Best: Pat McAfee is the star of WWE SmackDown this week
Pat McAfee was the star of the show on WWE SmackDown as he genuinely seemed excited to call the action with Michael Cole. One may even go so far as to say that the Pat McAfee and Michael Cole commentary unit gelled better than Cole and Graves did.
There is something almost childlike about the enthusiasm that Pat McAfee possesses and it translates through the TV screen. Fans at home can feel the excitement he brings to the table, which, to be honest, a jaded Michael Cole may not necessarily possess anymore.
McAfee certainly knows the product A LOT better than Adnan Virk, and his commitment to calling the action in the best manner possible is simply awesome.
#1 Worst: How many times on WWE SmackDown did they show the UFO footage?
Was Sami Zayn in the WWE SmackDown production truck this week? They replayed the 'UFO' footage so very often that it almost seemed like there was a conspiracy theorist nut manning the controls. It was cool the first time we saw it, still cool by the second time but after a while, everyone was tempted to pull his/her hair out by the roots.
Why couldn't Jimmy Uso have come out in the WWE SmackDown main event instead of Seth Rollins, AGAIN? If we're headed towards a feud with Roman Reigns and Cesaro, do we need Seth Rollins back in this equation once more?
Yes, they did a lot of things right with Cesaro on this week's show, but they took a major step back for every two steps forward. Here was the perfect opportunity for a major twist or surprise in the WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania, but WWE creative didn't seem to care.
The show was as half-baked as they come.
#2 Best: Cesaro and Jey Uso tear it up in the WWE SmackDown main event
Some WWE SmackDown fans may be disappointed that we did not get a Cesaro vs. Roman Reigns main event as was teased at the top of the show. That said, Cesaro and Jey Uso certainly put on a performance worthy of being called the main event match. It is heartening to see how much time and effort the company is spending on these two superstars.
Cesaro had his big WrestleMania moment against Seth Rollins in what was probably the most dominant performance of his career. Similarly, Jey Uso was slotted into the main event spot after winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle royal on WWE SmackDown this week. These are two men who weren't necessarily the prototypical WWE main event stars until recently, and just look at them now!
Could Jey Uso be the man that eventually dethrones Roman Reigns and captures the Universal Championship from him? Does WWE have enough faith in Cesaro to give him the spot?
#2 Worst: Shayna Baszler arrives on WWE SmackDown to job for Natalya
In case you missed WWE SmackDown (and who would blame you after RAW?), Shayna Baszler did the job for Natalya this week. Just imagine how crazy it is to think how far down the ranks Baszler has fallen, following her dominant performance at the Elimination Chamber last year. Nothing against Natalya, but how do you book one of your current Champions so very poorly?
Shayna Baszler, who should be an unstoppable beast, has recently been booked in shopping segments with Reginald. Much like Vince McMahon's case with Samoa Joe, he doesn't realize what a fantastic performer Shayna Baszler would be if she were allowed to be herself. A dominant MMA-style combat sports athlete, dominating the competition with her ferocity.
Can Shayna Baszler stop doing jobs on RAW and WWE SmackDown regularly, please? There must be a better way to secure a title shot than having a Champion eat a pin! Is there any excitement around the Women's Tag Team Championships at all?
#3 Best/Worst: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are still feuding on WWE SmackDown (on and on and on)
You've heard our thoughts on WWE SmackDown and why we didn't really care for it. Now catch the living legend Dutch Mantell go over the show with Rick and Sid from Sportskeeda, by clicking on the link above. It may even be a more entertaining show than WWE SmackDown was.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn had a great match at WrestleMania, which should have been the end of their feud. Unfortunately, we're going to see even more of them, which may just ruin the high note the two men left us on, this past weekend. The momentum will only fizzle out in the weeks and months that follow, as the feud peaked with Logan Paul.
However, these two men will always tear it up when they get a chance to do so. They are the best of friends and WWE SmackDown is in for some fun matches. So, let's hope for the best. The booking isn't ideal but it could be worse.
