Before we delve into the nuts and bolts of this week’s episode of SmackDown Live, I hope you can indulge me for a minute. You see, if there’s one thing I just can’t resist it’s a cheap pop. And as the curtain closes on 2018, there’s no quicker way to draw one of those than by referencing the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch.
The ‘Man’ has been on one hell of a run since putting her friendship with Charlotte – and mercifully that ridiculous-looking mimed teacup celebration – behind her. In the few short months since SummerSlam, Becky has completely reinvented her character, claimed the blue brand’s top belt and created the kind of groundswell excitement not seen in many years. At this point in time, she stands head and shoulders above the rest of the roster as the company’s biggest star.
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A well-know story around wrestling circles is that, during the late 90s, the writing process for Raw revolved solely around what Stone Cold Steve Austin was doing that night. The foul-mouthed texan was Vince McMahon’s only concern because he knew that if the ‘Rattlesnake’ had a good night, so would the show.
Now, I’m not for a second suggesting that Becky has become the kind of cultural phenomenon that Austin was (although the comparisons have been made by fans). What I am saying though is that the ‘Irish Lass Kicker’ has reached a measure of prominence few in this business ever have. Like The Rock, Stone Cold, John Cena and Daniel Bryan before her, Lynch is starting to transcend the confines of our little wrestling world and make her way into the mainstream consciousness.
Consider, for example, ESPN‘s latest power rankings of WWE talent. The largest sports television network on the planet regularly convenes six of its rankers to evaluate the WWE hierarchy. Normally, the list comprises the usual faces. However, this past week something unprecedented took place. Becky Lynch became the first woman ever to claim the top spot.
And that accolade only tells half the story. Because not only does ESPN consider Lynch the biggest star in the company right now, but the vote amongst its staff was entirely unanimous. Think about the enormity of it for just a moment. In a promotion boasting generational names like Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan, Becky Lynch is unquestionably, undeniably the biggest name in the company. At a time when WWE is pushing its women’s division like never before, the first woman to reach the mountaintop is not Ronda Rousey or Charlotte Flair, two company darlings. It’s instead the often maligned, downtrodden Becky Lynch.
As strange as it would’ve seemed just six months ago, could anyone honestly dispute that title? Lynch runs the show like few others have before her. Whether signing contracts on SmackDown or invading Raw, she routinely generates excitement, elevating those around her by association. Just in the past month alone, Rollins, Rousey, Charlotte and Nia Jax, amongst others, have thrown stones (or, in some cases, stray fists) at the champ. In each instance, the simple mention of the ‘Man’ has made those performers more relevant.
Worrying, Lynch has not taken a single bump since suffering a concussion at the hands of Jax. While her availability for TLC has not officially been brought into question, lingering fears may remain until the event in ten days time. Despite that however, last night’s show kicked off in promising fashion – with the ‘Man’, Charlotte and Asuka gathered in the ring for a contract signing ahead of their pay-per-view clash.
It was the first chapter of an interesting episode of SmackDown Live and, as has become customary, we’re here to guide you through the main goings-on. In what follows, we’ll take you through what we considered to be the best and worst the show had to offer, before venturing an overall rating of the episode.
So, with all the rambling out the way, on with the good!
What was your favourite moment from SmackDown Live?
Steven Lugo
The Samoa Joe skit. While Daniel Bryan unveiling his new evil vegan gimmick on Miz TV gave this a run for its money, I’m going with Joe. He was so at ease and entertaining in this segment, attacking Jeff Hardy for his substance abuse issues, which were never any secret to wrestling fans.
One thing I never expected to see when tuning into SmackDown tonight was Joe acting like a bartender, giving us a public service announcement about the dangers of alcohol, and reminding us to “drink responsibly”. Who would have thought that a guy whose reputation was built on being a destroyer would have such an aptitude for WWE main roster skits? But I’m not complaining.
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Eric Stites
My favorite part of this show was definitely the opening promo. I loved the back and forth between Becky and Charlotte. I thought there were some great lines said both ways, but of course more so from Becky.
Then of course Asuka picked a great time to cut in and join the war of words. I wasn’t really a fan of the way Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville interrupted but everything that happened up to that point was very well done.
Brian Farrell
Cesaro vs Woods vs one of the Usos (either Jimmy or Jey, probably). I loved this show, but it added something that other good SmackDown shows have lacked: a very good and entertaining match.
Even though this didn’t develop any storylines, I really enjoyed this match. All three stars looked great, and Cesaro’s double spin spot was unreal. A intense match that elevated this show.
What was the worst part of last night’s episode?
Steven Lugo
Women’s Championship contract signing. It’s not like I ‘hated’ the segment, but if forced to choose, I’ll go with the show opener.
I actually preferred how Raw opened with a match rather than a talking segment, but oh well. It’s getting kind of repetitive to see half or all of the women’s roster show up to complain every time Becky enters the ring. But I guess that happens when the ‘Man’ comes around.
Mandy Rose crashed the party for the second straight week. And Charlotte has become one of the most baffling individuals on the squad, trying to be a badass; only it never quite reaches Becky’s level of badassery, since ‘the Man’ got over organically.
It’s just very peculiar, like they are worried the ‘Queen’ will get lost in the shuffle amid Becky’s ascent. I look at Asuka, and I try not to get too excited for her, because I remember her glory days! And unfortunately, now I just see somebody they want to take the loss in the triple threat at TLC.
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Eric Stites
My least favorite part of the show was when Daniel Bryan was forced to be another one of the “you people” heels. He does it slightly differently than the rest of the heels that have been forced to use this lazy writing, but it’s still just about the same.
Why turn on the fans? That doesn’t really make sense with the story. The reason Daniel turned heel should have just been because he saw it as the best way to win the title. It had nothing to do with the fans. We really don’t need any more of these “you people disgust me” heels.
Brian Farrell
Vegan Bryan. Now I think Daniel Bryan is a great heel, but I’m not a fan of him spewing facts about methane gas and carbon monoxide. Will he make it work? Probably, he’s great.
But, on a very good SmackDown show, this was one of the few things I wasn’t a fan of. Wasn’t terrible, but it seems it could really kill his character if not held in check.
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)
Steven Lugo
Smack Bang in the Middle. I don’t have too much to complain about. As Xavier Woods himself might say, let’s not be entitled infants. Instead, let’s be WrestleTalk writers, whose task it is to watch, react, and maybe even report a thing or two.
I got to see Rusev, the ‘Man’, and no matter how mediocre a show may be, it seems Daniel Bryan will always look for some way to deliver (anyone remember NXT‘s iteration of CJ Parker / Juice Robinson?).
However, the show did feel very repetitive, rehashing the same old stuff, which includes, but is not limited to, New Day’s endless feud with The Bar and Usos, and the Miz hanging around with Shane McMahon. It also just felt a lot like last week’s show, with not much new going on, or moving forward. Would love a stronger under card.
NEXT WEEK on #SDLive…
🔵 @MsCharlotteWWE battles @WWEAsuka in a #WrestleMania REMATCH
🔵 #TheNewDay, The @WWEUsos & #TheBar compete in a #RapBattle pic.twitter.com/vd0EHGZSce
— WWE (@WWE) December 5, 2018
Eric Stites
I thought last night’s show was Smack Bang in the Middle. The opening of the show was great and there were some good segments and matches throughout the night, but it wasn’t all great. I don’t think there was anything particularly bad on this show besides the Daniel Bryan stuff, but some of it was just a little bland.
Brian Farrell
SmackTastic. I really enjoyed SmackDown this week. The opening was great, and the tag match after was decent. I’ve talked about the triple threat, Hardy and Orton was surprisingly very good, even though we have seen them go at it many times in the past couple of months. Miz TV was good, and the main event was enjoyable. Not one segment on the show that left a sour taste in my mouth.
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