Hello WWE Universe
We are back with another edition of WWE Smackdown. So lets take a look at the show in chronological order.
1. The Usos vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Matt Riddle
A confrontation to setup a potential feud for Tag team gold. The faces had the last laugh as the champs made a run to the locker room.
What Worked
- The Usos promo was good. They actually lured in some fans to chant for them.
- Nakamura and Riddle’s pairing works as both have an axe to grind with the bloodline.
What Not
- The brawl was little underwhelming with no impact moves.
2. Championship contender’s match : Ronda Rousey (c) vs Raquel Rodriguez
A dull segment involving Shotzi, Aliyah, Xia Li, Natalya and Shayna Baszler preceded the match. The match ended in a DQ win for Raquel thanks to interference from Natalya and Shayna
What Worked
- Nothing
What Not
- The two seemed out of sync with each other
- Another no contest due to interference
3. Ronda Rousey & Raquel Rodriguez vs Natalya & Shayna Baszler
Rodriguez picked up the win after hitting Tejana bomb on Baszler. A regular tag team match with the story revolving around Raquel’s injured leg.
What Worked
- The story telling and in ring psychology focusing of Raquel having a leg injury was good.
What Not
- Ronda Rousey matches are devoid of any personality.
- Raquel still is not convincing as a baby face
4. Los Lotharios vs Jinder Mahal & Shanky
Any match starting with kiss cam is cringe 101. Humberto pins a distracted Jinder as Shanky saves Irvin from Angel Garza’s sexualized dance moves.
What Worked
- Having Shanky show some personality was good
- Los Lotharios in ring work is always impressive, sadly the match focused on too many things outside the squared circle.
What Not
- Kiss Cam
- Jinder finding Shanky dancing to his theme music
- Shanky’s post match dance to woo Irvin
5. The KO show
Kevin Owens had Sami Zayn as the guest on his show. The two are always entertaining together and this time was no different. The show began with the two bonding over shared belief that Elias and Ezekiel are one and same person. The segment ended with both bickering over Zayn’s delusion involving Bloodline.
A fun segment
6. Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser vs Drew Gulak & Ricochet
Kaiser pins Gulak after hitting a running kick to the face. Almost a one sided match with Gunther looking like a monster.
What Worked
- The match added to the aura of Gunther.
What Not.
- Drew Gulak is a jobber for life.
- Ricochet was made to look like a weak champion.
7. The Brawling Brutes vs The New Day & Drew McIntyre
The faces one with Drew being the deciding factor. Holland ate the pin from Xavier woods after being knocked cold by Claymore.
What Worked
- Butch with his crazed antics is developing into an interesting character
- McIntyre is super over and we really need that Reigns vs Drew program soon.
What Not
- Drew partnering with New Day makes no sense.
- Without Reigns in main event, the end was honestly not captivating at all.
Smackdown has been the top wrestling show for months now. With Reigns absent, the show lacked intensity and character. Overall, it was a below average show.
