'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
For me, RAW just seemed to go on and on. SmackDown Live was short, concise and for what it is worth, entertaining. This is a recap of all of the two hours of action from England, for the second night in a row. Two hours that flew by quite fast indeed.
As we head towards Money in the Bank, the programs don't seem as important as a month ago. Somehow, everything seems to be in a state of flux, of utter confusion. Things should settle down in the weeks that follow.
Let's hope WWE has a long-term plan about where they want to be heading. For what it's worth, here's my take on this week's show.
Let me know yours in the comments...
#1 Best: The London crowd
WWE really needs to do more shows in international locations. This week, the UK crowd was hot through the course of the evening. Perhaps even more so than they were during RAW. They would not even let Daniel Bryan speak during the first segment of the show.
As one would expect, Paige got a great reception from the UK crowd as well. They reminded her, over and over again, that 'this is your house'!
A hot crowd always sets the pace for the rest of the night, even getting the people watching at home invested in the action. That is precisely what happened this week on SmackDown Live.
Take a bow, UK crowd!
#1 Worst: Punished for his actions?
We hear whispers and rumblings all the time from WWE. The latest concerns Big Cass and the fact that he did not follow instructions during a recent segment. I cannot verify its authenticity because I was not really present backstage. However, this tweet from Sean Waltman or X-Pac does raise some eyebrows.
The Tweet coincided with Daniel Bryan's vicious beatdown on Big Cass. Following his loss to Daniel Bryan and this beat-down, Big Cass has lost a lot of his momentum and one wonders where he goes from here
#2 Best: Becky Lynch gets her due
If you look at the pool of talent that will be competing at Money in the Bank, you arrive at a few conclusions. Alexa Bliss will do fine without the Money in the Bank contract in her grasp. As will Charlotte Flair, who's been positioned for big long-term plans, down the road. It's far too early for Ember Moon.
Becky Lynch is a woman that can certainly benefit from winning the Money in the Bank Ladder match. She's fallen down the ranks since she was the very first SmackDown Live Women's Champion. She defeated the two members of Absolution in a Money in the Bank Qualifier this week.
I do hope she goes on to win the contract too! It will be great to see a babyface cash in, for a change.
#2 Worst: Key players missing
Say what you want about RAW and its 3-hour format, the fact of the matter is that more talent gets TV time because of the same. This week was so jam-packed that the US Champion was not even featured. Considering that this is a title that hasn't been booked in the right manner, this was certainly a little disappointing.
As for the tag team champions, all they got was a promo. There was no sign of SAnitY either. Samoa Joe was only featured in a promo and when you have a talent of his calibre on the show, it's a shame to not showcase him!
#3 Best: Almas and Vega
The former NXT Champion has finally come to SmackDown Live. He had an impressive first outing against an enhancement talent this week. It is clear that big things are in store for Vega and Almas. The two of them could make SmackDown Live very interesting in the weeks that follow.
What was great to see was the vast outpouring of support from Almas' friends back in NXT. Each one of them seemed thrilled that Almas had made it to SmackDown Live.
#3 Worst: Too many matches?
They first met at WrestleMania 34, then at the Greatest Royal Rumble and then at Backlash. They competed on SmackDown Live this week for a stipulation at Money in the Bank. Somehow, the Styles vs. Nakamura clashes are becoming staler, the more they happen. This non-PPV match did not need to really take place.
The Nakamura promo this week also seemed like a step-down. The 'no speak English' promos from the weeks past were far more entertaining.
#4 Best/worst: Singles push for New Day superstars?
An Absolution split was teased this week. A Rusev Day split was teased in the weeks past. But the biggest talking point coming out of this week was a possible New Day split down the road someday. Will Big E finally get his very long awaited singles push?
At one point in time, Big E was seen as 'the guy', according to insiders. Will his push begin at Money in the Bank? Could WWE swerve us all with a Kofi Kingston win?
So many questions exist. We should learn more in the coming weeks.
For now, be entranced by Mandy Rose!
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
