Tonight we had the go home show for Smackdown Live prior to Survivor Series. If you want to talk about talent, the shows are fairly even. However, if you are going by entertainment, Smackdown Live certainly looked like the “B Show” tonight.
The Good
Charlotte Finally Winning The Smackdown Live Women’s Title
I called it last week after AJ Styles won the title from what seemed to be an unstoppable promotional champion. When he won I said that it would make more sense to pit Charlotte against Alexa Bliss if you want better ratings. The Queen of Smackdown Live versus The Goddess of RAW. It seems that WWE Creative thinks the same.
Being in her hometown does something to Charlotte that doesn’t seem possible. It makes her better. It’s no secret that I think that Charlotte is the most talented female superstar on the whole roster (Asuke may change my mind soon, but time will tell).
Although she acted surprised when her father came out to congratulate her, I’m sure that she was well aware of this surprise. Either way this was a great moment to watch, and a real treat for the “Flair Country” crowd.
Jimmy Uso vs Chad Gable
I wasn’t quite sure where to put this match in this article. I’m a bit torn between what I want to see more right now in the tag team division. Do I want to see amazing matches with incredible athleticism? Or do I want the Usos to feud with a team with crazy charisma and seemingly unlimited entertainment potential?
Here is my issue. I’m still unhappy that Breezango never got their proper title push. I feel like the WWE Universe missed out on a great thing by them having a proper feud with the Usos. That is where my uncertainty comes from when it comes to who the Usos should be fighting right now.
I ultimately put this match, and future matches in the “Good” section because I believe that American Alpha 2.0 can be entertaining enough to make this worthwhile. They will never be as entertaining as Breezango, this is true. On the other hand, Breezango will never be able to put on a physical show like AA 2.0. Fingers crossed.
The Bad
The Return of Daniel Bryan
This segment just fell flat for me. I can understand him coming out an addressing what happened to him. I can also understand him discussing his thoughts about Survivor Series and Shane McMahon’s actions and attitude. What the hell was that “I’ll be the poor man’s version of Paul Heyman for AJ Styles” nonsense. I’m sure that some people found it entertaining, I’m just not sure why.
RAW Invades Smackdown Live
We all knew it was coming. That’s the problem. It’s not the RAW roster’s fault in the least. In terms of the actual action and the spots, it was just as good, if not better than when Smackdown Live put RAW under siege. Such is the fate whenever someone does something huge or impressive that has already happened.
The did up the stakes though. Not only assaulting the Smackdown Live roster, but also Shane McMahon himself. Kurt got off easy during #UnderSiege, Shane was not so lucky. The Shield absolutely decimated Shane, and after that Kurt even got an Angle Slam off. Though again, it just didn’t seem as cool because we all pretty much called it.
The Ugly
Shane’s Pre-show Pep Talk
I’ve mentioned this before so forgive me for repeating myself. Just because the business has been exposed for years doesn’t mean you can’t still act like kayfabe is a thing.
I couldn’t stand seeing superstars that have wanted to kill each other in the past, some of them currently in programs with each other, standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity.
My biggest issue with the segment was everyone’s mic work. Shane sounded so rehearsed and his passionate words didn’t elicit a single strong heart beat in this writer. Watching Baron Corbin, a LONE WOLF, cut a promo during a team building rally made me cringe. This segment was obviously made to create some last minute hype for Survivor Series. For me, it had the opposite effect. Unfortunately, the Smackdown Live go home show for Survivor Series made me hope that the WWE superstars stay home on Sunday.
