By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown Hits
Evolution: The return of Batista alone made the segment. His stock has soared since his last appearance and it’s great that they guy still wants to make appearances for the company even after he indicated that he felt snubbed at times. Ric Flair looked like he was just as thrilled to be there. I love that Randy Orton stayed true to his current character. The highlight was Batista setting the stage for a future match with Triple H, and Orton was a blast here as acted like he was taking great pleasure in seeing a potential meltdown between the two.
Cutting Edge with Becky Lynch: Edge delivered his best performance as a non-wrestler. Edge clowning around is fun, but serious Edge is great. Lynch rejecting his heartfelt words and telling him to get out of her ring and then taking the jab at the neck injury that ended his career was great heel work. And it almost worked. While some fans were cheering, there were some boos in the mix. And then Charlotte Flair made her entrance and everyone went right back to booing her and rooting for Lynch. Even so, this segment featured a couple of strong performances.
Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a World Cup qualifier: A strong return for Mysterio. The win adds him to the World Cup tournament and also sets the stage for him feud with Nakamura over the U.S. Championship.
AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan vs. The Usos: A match that served multiple purposes in that they created more tension between Styles and Bryan heading into their match at Crown Jewel (in SAUDI ARABIA), and they gave the Usos a high profile win. The Usos never recovered from being sacrificed while the company elevated the Bludgeon Brothers, so hopefully the company follows up in a big way.
Truth TV with Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and Shane McMahon: A fun opening segment with the three McMahons appearing (whatever happened to that fourth McMahon?). It included the usual bickering between Steph and Shane, and a lighthearted Vince calling for a dance break.
New Day vs. Sheamus and Cesaro for the Smackdown Tag Titles: A Hit worthy match with hard work from both teams. And while I like the possibility of Big E having a singles run with Big Show, the latest out of nowhere turn from Big Show was bizarre. We’ll see how he explains it next week, but it didn’t do much for me in the moment.
WWE Smackdown Misses
Undertaker: WWE closed the show by having Undertaker say the same thing he said the night before in a video on Raw. I’m sure the live crowd enjoyed seeing his entrance, but this was a disappointing way to close what was a fun milestone show overall.
The Miz vs. Rusev in a World Cup qualifier: A blink and you missed it match. It’s certainly possible their time was cut due to the lengthy Evolution segment. Either way, I find it to be hilarious that WWE is holding a World Cup tournament and all eight wrestlers were born in the United States.
Check below for the latest Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest Chris Harrington.
Didn’t they hold a Kuwait Cup back in the day (that I believe was won by British Bulldog)and no one harped on the fact there were no Kuwaitees (I don’t know the plural)in the tournament….Misses for no Ellsworth or Michelle McCool…How does the G.M. not make a live appearance?…Big hit for Carmella just existing.
Nothing against Jerry Lawler or Booker T, but when I think of SmackDown color commentators, I don’t think of those two. I think of Taz and JBL. I would rather have seen them. But no harm no foul.
I just wish they would have at least invited Taz to be there.
So WWE fans boo the mention of Crown Jewel but cheer like mad when the man responsible for it comes out? And to think some people say WWE fans are unthinking sheep…