Well, it's the first SmackDown after the humiliation that was their Survivor Series record. And you would hardly know that failure happened thanks to this show. I'm a bit late for getting to this thanks to Thanksgiving Week schedule conflicts. But instead of a full on review, here are my thoughts about what happened on this week's show.
SmackDown Thoughts
- Charlotte Flair- Charlotte came out and did not apologize for her actions against Ronda Rousey. Yet, she didn't come off as a heel either. She just is now going forward as a more tough, vicious face? I mean beating up The IIconics is not exactly a heelish thing to do when they are heels themselves. A lot of mixed messages going on SmackDown at the moment. It wouldn't surprise me to see Charlotte become the new SmackDown Live Women's Champion soon if Becky can't return by TLC. That way, if Becky were able to return and win the Rumble, she'd be able to wrestle Rousey at WrestleMania for the title. Then again, that's a LOT of long-term booking.
- The Miz and Shane McMahon... Tag Team?- Wow. I really don't have much to add on this one other than I think they may be trying to set up Shane McMahon's WrestleMania match maybe? I know it's still a long time to go until we get there, but I really can't explain this segment without thinking that maybe that's where WWE Management is going with this. Wrestling Shane McMahon at WrestleMania seems to be a time-honored tradition of "Well, we have nothing else for you. So, you get to wrestle Shane at WrestleMania." Congratulations, Miz. You get the honors this year. Just ask Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn how well that worked out for them.
- The Thanksgiving Feast- Well, this was for the kids. New Day is for the children. So, I can't hate this too much. But it just wasn't that good if I'm being completely honest with myself.
- Asuka and Naomi vs. Deville and Mandy- Asuka had a good save on Sunday with Nia just catching her at the right moment to get that final elimination for Team Raw. Here, they continued Asuka's momentum a little bit and also continued the tensions between Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose as their miscommunication and argument cost them the victory. Is it weird to suggest that IF Rousey vs. Lynch is a one-on-one match at WrestleMania that we may get Asuka vs. Charlotte II at the same show for the SmackDown Women's Championship?
- Daniel Bryan's Heel Manifesto- A lot of Daniel's promo made a lot of sense. I'm not going to call it the greatest heel promo of all time or anything, but he made a lot of sense in making his heel character a natural progression from the Daniel Bryan we've seen in 2018 up to this point. I still don't buy the "Brock Lesnar beat the last bit of Daniel Bryan out of me" schtick that he was selling, but the rest of the promo was solid stuff. The fact that we're getting AJ vs. Daniel so quick after this heel turn makes me wonder if the AJ Styles contract situation has been UNDER-stated if anything. If AJ is on his way out, what better way to capitalize on him than putting over Daniel Bryan one last time? ROH did the same thing when Jay Lethal needed a big win and AJ was on his way out. I'm not saying he's definitely leaving, but I'm not saying he's definitely staying either. I have no idea. It's just interesting booking.
- Randy Orton does Randy Orton things to Rey Mysterio- I think that main event may have been telegraphed a little bit thanks to the promos throughout the show. Still, Orton did what he does best: Randy Orton things. He ripped at and tore up Mysterio's mask. He RKO'd him twice in one match to win. And afterwards, he ripped Mysterio's mask off and took it as his prize while laying Mysterio in a pile of shame and humiliation. So, this is the new program for Mysterio and Orton. Meanwhile, somewhere in the backstage area, Shinsuke Nakamura kicks his feet up.
Overall, this was a very skippable episode of SmackDown Live. It is as if they just through their hands up knowing no one would be watching this close to Thanksgiving. And they're right. I didn't get to the show until Friday Night. I guess I was just preparing for next year.
One thing that did bother me was the lack of ramifications from Survivor Series on this show. No one paid a price for losing their matches in this "clean sweep" on Survivor Series. Shane threatened to fire anyone who lost the World Cup Tournament, but he's ok with his entire brand (minus the tag teams during the preshow) losing EVERY SINGLE MATCH Sunday Night. That's just terrible writing, folks. No other way to explain it. You either keep something going with the logic, or you don't say it in the first place.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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