I’m just going to come out and say this up front. Last night’s SmackDown Live was everything I ever dreamed it would be. What was, on paper, anticipated to be one of the best shows of the year exceeded even those lofty expectations.
Consider what was served up on last night’s card. It was like something ripped straight from one of my better attempts at GM Mode on SmackDown vs Raw 2006. In fact, scratch that. It was way better, because the video game didn’t let me book rap battles!
Speaking of, let’s start with that rap battle which pitted The Usos against the somehow even whiter versions of Vanilla Ice, Sheamus and Cesaro. In just five minutes, SmackDown managed the impressive feat of merging humour, tension and narrative progression. Not sure what I’m talking about? It started off with The Bar reciting their version of Ice Ice Baby (Ice Ice Sheamy), transitioned to The Usos laying down some awesome verses insulting both the SmackDown tag team champions and the New Day, and ended with a mass brawl involving all three teams. This, of course, ahead of their clash for the belts this Sunday at TLC.
I. Loved. This. Segment.
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And honestly that was just one highlight. Daniel Bryan delivered another excellent promo about how we’re all responsible for the world rapidly careening towards total annihilation, plunging us into a void of eternal darkness where only the most savage manage to eke out an agonising existence.
That was fun.
Then it was followed by a surprise appearance by Mustafa Ali of all people, leading to a not-at-all surprisingly good match between the cruiserweight and the WWE Champion.
Yet, as great as that was, it still wasn’t the best part of the evening, as the night ended with a match between the two challengers to Becky Lynch’s Women’s Title at TLC. A WrestleMania rematch pitting Asuka against Charlotte; two of the best pure wrestlers in WWE today. This was a truly phenomenal back and forth contest, with both women exchanging submission holds and counters. There were flips, there dives, there was… a kendo stick for some reason? Seriously, why are those things just lying around ringside? Who’s responsibility is it to transport kendo sticks from arena to arena across the country? Cut that out of the budget and maybe we could get pyro back, Vince!
Look, normally these Roundtable introductions tend to be rather longwinded affairs, with me rambling about whatever show-breaking screwup Raw was guilty of this particular week. But honestly, there’s no reason to drone on here. This was simply a very, very enjoyable go-home edition of SmackDown Live.
But I know you’re not here for my opinion. Not when we’ve got the real experts to dish up their impressions. So let’s turn over to our educated WrestleTalk writing crew to find out what they thought about the blue brand’s efforts this week. Hopefully they were all as complimentary of the show as I was, or else I’ll look like a real chump, won’t I?
Anyway, on with the good!
What was your favorite moment from SmackDown Live?
Nate Craver
Charlotte vs. Asuka was great, but the end of the show was the best. Becky, Charlotte and Asuka apparently lose their minds when they get their hands on a kendo stick. Those ladies each took some major shots. The end of this match made me want to watch TLC even more. Initially, I wasn’t sure about the addition of Asuka to the match, but I think it’s going to be a smart one.
With Asuka standing tall at the end, that’s pretty much a guarantee she’s not winning right? Becky’s the best thing going in WWE. Charlotte’s in the groove as this heel character she’s portraying (sorry Oli). Whichever woman climbs the ladder and grabs the championship, SmackDown will be more exciting for it.
#TheQueen @MsCharlotteWWE is all kinds of wrapped up by #TheEmpress @WWEAsuka! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ocQ2xCXAFX
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 12, 2018
Dylan Kapisky
The WrestleMania rematch. How could it not be this? Usually when I do these roundtables, I stay away from putting the main event in this slot because it’s supposed to be the best part of the show. Therefore, writing about it always felt too easy to me. But when the main event is a rematch of the best singles match at this year’s WrestleMania, with the added benefit of ‘The Man’ at ringside, there are few things capable of topping it.
For 15+ minutes, Charlotte and Asuka put on a technical spectacle, similar to their clash at the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’. The pair have incredible chemistry and watching them do battle, all the while knowing they will be joined by Becky Lynch as well as a whole host of weapons, made me incredibly excited for the match at TLC.
It’s a shame it ended in a DQ, but the action before and the brawl after, more than made up for it.
Kyle Payne
This might come as a shock to the higher ups in WWE but the best part – believe it or not – was the actual wrestling and character progression. Bryan vs. Ali and Charlotte vs. Asuka were the standout highlights. The opening promo Daniel Bryan delivered furthered his character and his more aggressive wrestling really revealed his bad intensions. It’s a breath of fresh air to see Bryan being a heel and he had a really good, albeit short, match with the very talented Mustafa Ali. The match was great in getting Bryan more over as a heel and an excellent showcase for 205 Live.
The WrestleMania rematch between Charlotte and Asuka was good as well. The two of them have great chemistry, and it was nice to see Becky at ringside. I liked that we didn’t get a finish, it allows for a rematch on a bigger stage. And I loved the aftermath and how it played out. Anyone worried that Becky Lynch wouldn’t be cleared for TLC can put those fears to rest as she took several bumps. Everyone looked strong, but Asuka standing tall in the end was the right move and helped give her some more much-needed momentum heading into Sunday.
Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
Daniel Bryan’s promo and the Charlotte / Asuka match tie it for me. The WWE champion continues to be the most compelling act on the main roster and his interaction with Mustafa Ali was really good. The match wasn’t as gripping as I hoped it would be due to it being so short. However, the all-around segment involving these two helped sell TLC and the want for another match down the road.
The Charlotte / Asuka match was strong. It was dampened by the lack of crowd reaction; however, these two were determined to put on a memorable effort and they came close to succeeding. I wasn’t big on the DQ finish, but it did protect all parties involved.
It would be nice if Flair’s character had some clarity. Is she a badass? Or a crazed lunatic who snaps when she’s about to lose? Flair comes across as a heel, but I don’t think the company sees it that way. I hope after TLC that Charlotte’s character is truly defined as a heel, babyface, or Anti-Hero.
What was the worst part of last night’s episode?
Nate Craver
What in the heck is SmackDown doing with the tag team champions? Come on! Comedy acts are fine from time to time, but Sheamus and Cesaro deserve better. Ice Ice Sheamy was terrible. A few weeks ago you had them losing by a Turkey punch, and now they are getting embarrassed in a rap battle.
What makes it even dumber is they supposedly requested this. Cesaro is one of the best in-ring performers in the world. Sheamus can be a tough bad-ass. Yet you have them looking like fools week after week. It’s sad that I hope they lose to The Usos on Sunday just to get them out of this gimmick.
https://twitter.com/WWESheamus/status/1072673567463104513
Dylan Kapisky
HE’S THE BEST IN THE WORLD. This criticism does not pertain to the segments preceding and following the match, because those were genuinely funny. However, seeing Shane McMahon easily dispose of two jobbers is something I do not need to see. Enhancement talent or not, Shane should not be wrestling and winning matches on SmackDown Live.
From bell-to-bell, this was tough to watch. Fortunately, it was saved by The Miz’s performance, but on a very strong show from the blue brand, this was easily the weakest point.
Kyle Payne
I might be in the minority here but I have no love for the random dance breaks that Carmella and R-Truth implement. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy they’re getting screen time, but it just seems pointless and a waste of time. Nakamura and Samoa Joe taking another loss is frustrating and I find myself with no investment in whatever is going on with The Miz and Shane McMahon.
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Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
The Miz / Shane McMahon crap. Let me get this straight, The Miz deceives the referee and two wrestlers, forces Shane McMahon to wrestle a match he isn’t prepared for, and continues to have this delusional mindset that him and Shane are co-best in the world tournament winners, yet I’m supposed to feel bad when Shane rightfully turns down Miz’s offer to be his tag team partner? WTF?
I don’t understand Miz’s motivation in wanting Shane to be his tag team partner. I continue to believe that there’s an ulterior motive behind Miz’s actions, but the booking of this storyline has suggested anything but. I don’t care to see where this storyline is heading because there’s nothing compelling or intriguing about it.
A close second is the Hardy & Rusev vs. Nakamura & Joe match. Nothing was wrong with the match, but once again Nakamura and Joe have taken losses. Joe didn’t look like a dominant force as Hardy easily handled him, and the tired trope of future challenger defeating the champion in a tag match made it predictable. Joe and Nakamura badly need wins as their credibility as heels have fallen drastically.
How would you rate the show overall? (From best to worst: SmackDamn, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, Smackdowner and A Smack in the Face)
Nate Craver
SmackTastic is the rating for me this week. Maybe I’m just in a giving mood with it getting closer to Christmas, but I thought the show was pretty solid this week. I liked the tag match, especially the Machka Kick. They got Mustafa Ali some time on SmackDown. The women’s match and final segment were fantastic.
I didn’t love the Miz segment, but I am intrigued where they are headed. Even Orton and Mysterio furthered their feud. Overall, this show made me want to watch TLC more and that’s the point of a go-home show.
Dylan Kapisky
SmackTastic. There was a lot to like on this episode of SmackDown Live. From an incredible main event to a custody battle over a trophy, and even a surprise dream match between ‘The New’ Daniel Bryan and Mustafa Ali, there was something for everybody.
All the TLC feuds progressed, and the SmackDown side of the pay-per-view is shaping up to be excellent. Aside from Shane’s wrestling, there was very little to complain about on this show.
Kyle Payne
SmackDown was infinitely better than Raw and pretty SmackTastic. Good wrestling and storyline progression was the theme of the show and that’s all a good wrestling show really needs. Daniel Bryan and Mustafa Ali looked great and this exposure for 205 Live will hopefully get more people watching. Bryan was unmerciful and came across as a legitimate threat. I’m really digging his evil villain vegan gimmick of his.
The lead up to the first ever WWE women’s TLC match was built strong and it’s actually got me pretty excited for the PPV. You know a show is good when the time blows by.
So glad that the world is getting a chance to see how good @MustafaAliWWE is, the world is yours my friend. #midwestkids
— Ruby Soho (@realrubysoho) December 12, 2018
Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
A low SmackTastic. Bryan / Ali and Charlotte / Asuka were very entertaining matches. The Orton / Mysterio build was pedestrian but fine. The rap battle wasn’t as good as the first one, but it did make me chuckle and it ultimately served a purpose. SmackDown flew by and it was a solid night for the blue brand, but most importantly, it made me want to see most of the SmackDown side of matches at TLC.
Though it does boggle my mind how the triple threat tag team match isn’t a ladder match, yet Bobby Lashley vs. Elias is. Perhaps Vince is getting some tips from Vince Russo.
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