While Raw may have won the Survivor Series event overall, it seems that WWE TV is going the way of SmackDown Live as far as show quality goes. Here are my thoughts on SmackDown Live's latest show as the show unfolded.
SmackDown Thoughts (11/27/18)
- Becky Lynch comes out to start the show with Paige in the ring. I instantly thought "Oh no. I don't like this." Becky says that she's back. I instantly thank the man upstairs. Lol. Charlotte is brought out, and Becky accuses her of imitating her to beat up Ronda. Charlotte says she's being her and is "genetically superior." Basically, it is announced that we are getting Lynch vs. Charlotte again at TLC, this time in a TLC match for the Women's Championship. I'm calling it now: Ronda Rousey is interfering and costing Becky Lynch the title. Then, we get the rest of the women's roster to complain about not getting a fair shot at Lynch. Therefore, she announces a BATTLE ROYAL to determine who will be ADDED to the Women's Championship Match at TLC.
A very good open to the show here. We get Becky Lynch coming back and addressing the new-found edge of Charlotte Flair head on. Charlotte also got a chance to vent about Becky and Ronda as well. We give the rest of the women's roster on the show some focus, and we also have a main event match set up for the show. Effective booking of the show. The only thing I didn't like was how all the women came out as heel and face groups to talk Paige into the battle royal. I think that could have been done in a less awkward way.
- Next, we get The Bar vs. The Usos. The Big Show was explained as being absent due to a blow-up between The Bar and The Big Show earlier in the day. As expected, the match between these two was very good by TV standards and sets forth an opportunity for a very good to great tag team championship match sometime down the road.
- AJ Styles came out and cut a basic promo about wanting to face Daniel Bryan and get revenge. He didn't want to wait until TLC, but he's going to have to. This was a basic paint-by-numbers "wronged face is going for revenge" promo, but there wasn't anything too terrible about that.
- Initially, it looked like we were going to get a surprise match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, probably building off of what happened on Starrcade. But Nakamura jumped Rusev from behind and hit him with the Kinshasa before the match even began though. And Nakamura nails another one to him on his way to the back. I think we have a program finally for Nakamura with this championship.
- Jeff Hardy's 20 Year Anniversary Celebration is up next. It's the typical celebration (pictures in the ring, video package playing, and most the active roster on the stage) with some added in honesty from Hardy regarding his past problems. Cue Samoa Joe who adds in some worked shoot comments about Hardy's past substance issues. A fight does not break out, but I think it is safe to say that this will be our next program for both gentlemen. Seeing Hardy and Joe go at it should be a fun match, one I expect to probably make its rounds at many of the TV and house shows in the coming weeks.
- The Miz lost to Kofi Kingston in the next match. The only thing I have to add about this match, other than it was decent, was that the absence of Shane McMahon will probably add to the growing storyline between Miz and Shane for what I'm assuming is our WrestleMania program in April.
- Randy Orton comes out next and discusses his reasons for ripping Rey's mask off. He embarrassed Mysterio and wanted to show the world he was just like all of his other victims. Mysterio comes out with a neckbrace. They begin brawling, but Orton soon takes control. Orton pulls off the neckbrace. Mysterio soon fights back and hits a couple 6-1-9s to Orton. Mysterio then gets a chair, but Orton drops him with a DDT coming through the ropes. Mysterio then gets the steel chair smacked into his throat by using the steel steps. Orton tries to rip the mask off before officials pull him away. Another great segment on this show to further build up the heel Orton. This is how you build up a heel and not overdo it. It's effective psychotic heel heat, and it is setting Orton apart from the rest of the heels in WWE.
- The Miz cuts a promo on Shane McMahon for not backing him up earlier tonight. He calls himself and Shane the "parents" of the World Cup Tournament trophy, and Shane better start being a better parent. Shane just looks on confused.
- The main event was the battle royal featuring all the women on SmackDown Live's active roster not named Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch. Typical battle royal stuff with Sonya Deville and Asuka being the last two women left. Asuka gets the big win, and it is now Asuka vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship. I am all for this match, and I hope it gets some time to shine. It's Asuka's big chance here, even if she takes the pinfall, to show that she belongs in the title picture for the blue brand. She's been lost since WrestleMania, and this is the kind of opportunity that she needs to show her worth. And if they are going to build towards Lynch vs. Rousey, this is the way to get the title off of Becky.
Overall, I thought this was a great episode of SmackDown Live. Granted, this may be due to the fact that I watched Raw last night and have the stench of that awfulness still on my brain. But almost every segment of this 2-hour production meant something and added to some storyline developments. So, the Blue Brand wins again in terms of best main roster show of the week. (And save me the "It's easy when it's 2 hours" excuse. Raw just is written horribly at the moment. Period.)
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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