It’s still amazing to see the quality drop of Smackdown Live from week to week. Some of the segments border on directionless. It’s a far cry from the show that many considered the “A” show of the WWE at one point. There is talent on the brand – that’s not really the issue. The main issue are the story lines that seem to be thrown together. Especially, when it’s consolidating a lot of that talent together.
The WWE Title Picture: Last week, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler were added to what would have been a triple threat match of AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. Honestly, we needed some new blood in the picture. There’s still some time to go before Fastlane.
Both the Owens vs. Ziggler and Styles vs. Corbin matches were good. The only problem that there’s nothing really at stake. They just feel like regular singles matches at this point.
One of the highlights of this is how the story of KO and Sami is progressing. This is obviously a tease for a future break up. Sami’s distraction coupled with him telling Owens that he was going to go all “fingerpoke of doom” is definitely not going to happen.
How about Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan? The tension between the two continued this week, but to what payoff? As far as we know, DB isn’t cleared to wrestle. If DB can’t get physical, then what’s the end game to keep building this up?
The Riott Squad Gets A W: One of the criticisms of The Riott Squad story line coincided with the timing of the Absolution stable over on RAW. There was no differentiation from either. Two invading factions comprised of talent from NXT (with the exception of Paige). Squashing the women together in one segment doesn’t help matters further. I realize it’s a two hour show, but if you’re pushing the women’s revolution – there is more than enough talent to spread that to multiple segments.
To this show’s credit, the six women tag match worked. Everybody got their time to shine and the Riott Squad picked up a much needed W. Ruby gets her title shot at Fastlane against Charlotte. However, what is going on with the rest of the women’s division? It feels like everybody else is left in the dark.
Top 10 List?: The U.S. Title is mired in this new top 10 list for Smackdown. We don’t really know what it’s for. It would be nice if they can turn it into a ranking-like system of title contenders like they do in the UFC. From there, you can get invested in it. Nope. It’s just kind of there. Jinder Mahal attacked Bobby Roode, but the match at Fastlane is Roode and Orton? Again, make something of the top 10 where it factors into the U.S. Title race where it makes sense.
Tag Team Turmoil: Gable and Benjamin lose for the second time in two weeks and it’s The New Day vs. The Usos again..well maybe? After The New Day won, we immediately see the Bludgeon Brothers. It was another squash match, but Smackdown is need of new contender blood. Here’s hoping that they are able to get in the title mix.
No Shinsuke Nakamura (although building up his allure before Mania might be good). No Rusev-day. With a little under a month to go before Fastlane, Smackdown is struggling something serious. Here’s hoping they add some variations to these story lines, especially with Mania season on the horizon.
