“Siri, show me disappointment.”
“Okay. What time is your appointment?”
“Oh, come on. I said disappointment, you moron.”
“Calling mom.”
“I swear to God, you damn machine. Just show me disappointment!”
CONFIRMED – Becky Lynch has been pulled from Survivor Series.https://t.co/VeODpDlemN
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) November 13, 2018
Ah, there it is. It’s easier if you just embrace it, friends. Let the pain in.
Throughout this misfiring, forgettable build to Survivor Series, we’ve had one constant to desperately cling to. One shining beacon amongst a sea of over-booked men’s elimination matches and meaningless ten-on-ten tag team contests even WWE seems to have forgotten about.
That one saving grace was Becky Lynch vs Ronda Rousey. Or, more accurately, just Becky Lynch.
Confirmation that the SmackDown Women’s Champion wasn’t physically cleared to compete on Sunday came about in the most bittersweet of ways. In what was one of the most memorable moments of Raw this year, Lynch attacked Rousey backstage before leading an invasion of the red brand’s women’s division. Becky looked amazing leading the charge and the visual of her triumphantly leaving the arena, covered in blood, was easily a highlight of the year.
Sadly, we learned last night that her injuries were even more grisly than they appeared. A facial fracture and concussion would be keeping Becky out of her scheduled mega-bout against the undefeated Rousey.
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In the larger context, Becky’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for both her and WWE. As much as we all love ‘the Man’ now, it’s important to remember that her rise to the top has been fairly short-lived. Three months ago at SummerSlam, Becky executed one of the best heel turns in recent memory and in the process, completely revitalised her career.
The likeable, but too often maligned ‘Irish Lass Kicker’ had turned the page to become one of the hottest characters on TV. Gone were the quinoa skits, the wide Bálor-esque grins and the tea cup celebrations; in their place came ego, anti-establishment resentment and the will to stand alone.
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call Becky the biggest star in WWE at the moment. And her match against Rousey was shaping up as the most anticipated bout in many months.
While Ronda has undeniable mainstream appeal, Lynch’s popularity lies mostly among WWE‘s core fanbase. Defeating Rousey wouldn’t have damaged her in the slightest. She’s lost before in the UFC and remained a massive draw. Plus, with an injured arm and no titles on the line, all the ingredients were there to hand Rousey her first loss without any lasting repercussions.
She's THE man. Don't forget it. #SDLive #TheMan #SurvivorSeries @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/Oi55lOFmew
— WWE (@WWE) November 14, 2018
Victory for Becky, on the other hand, would send fans into orbit. It would have demonstrated a willingness to push stars when they’re most over. It would have shown fans that their voices matter and the company pays attention to its consumers. Most importantly, it would have rewarded Becky for injecting life into a stagnating product. In a world where Brock Lesnar is once again Universal Champion, Becky could have been the fans’ saviour.
Unfortunately though, we won’t be getting that at Survivor Series. In just one of many segments on last night’s SmackDown Live, a replacement for that match was named. We also got team announcements, last-minute re-alignments ahead of Sunday’s pay-per-view and a shock WWE Title match. Join us as we take you through the good and the bad from last night’s episode, and settle on a rating of the show overall.
What was your favourite moment from SmackDown Live?
Ashley D’Altilio
Becky Lynch’s in-ring promo. I know we saw a massive title change, but I cannot ignore this. Her gimmick is spot on and she is just an absolutely tough human being. I admire her, and I am glad she chose Charlotte to face Ronda Rousey.
I’m still genuinely excited for this match on Sunday, because the only person that could have come close to Lynch in this match is Charlotte. They made the right decision putting Charlotte in the match.
My only disappointment is how highly the WWE has edited the recaps of Lynch’s Raw appearance where she was injured in the first place. They should have showed it out of respect for her toughness.
Brian Farrell
There have been hints of Daniel’s turn in the past couple of weeks, and he snapped in the main event. The match itself was great but the shock and title change was even more exciting.
Daniel acted perfectly and it was a heel turn that made sense. I 100% believe Daniel was losing his connection with the fans, and his turn has justification as well. I’m positive I’m not alone in this being the best thing on SmackDown, but I had to express my admiration for the match, and title change.
Nate Craver
AJ vs. Bryan 2. These two guys have really good chemistry and definitely delivered a surprising ending. I do have to severely question whomever’s decision it was to turn your most organically over babyface heel.
On the other hand, having Bryan attack a face who is over and to do it for basically no reason seems to have accomplished getting him booed.
Nicholas Holicki
Finding the best moment from last night’s SmackDown is like trying to identify the smartest Kardashian sister. We’re talking slim pickings here, folks.
But at a push, I’m going to have to go with the Khloe of Tuesday nights – the championship match between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. It was the match with the greatest stakes and pitted two of the best pure wrestlers in the company against one another.
The match was generally fine as well, although not as good as the pair’s previous encounters. The main controversy unfolded at the finish however, as Bryan low-blowed Styles before hitting his running knee to claim victory and the WWE Championship. The biggest babyface on SmackDown then solidified his heel turn by violently assaulting Styles after the match.
I’m still not entirely clear on why Bryan felt the need to turn heel. I understand that he was upset because AJ Styles said his name twice at the start of the show. But I don’t know why that would drive someone to have a complete psychological break, unless he was worried that a third repetition might turn him into a giant pumpkin. Sure it sounds illogical, but to that I say: were you watching the Mad Hatter episode of SmackDown last night? Anything could’ve happened.
Reports that the heel turn and title change were only decided late in the day was evident in how sloppy the angle came across. On second thought, I didn’t particularly enjoy this match either. But at least it means we’re getting Bryan / Lesnar at Survivor Series, which I am genuinely looking forward to.
What was the worst part of last night’s episode?
Ashley D’Altilio
The six-man tag team match. I have been hating on the tag team divisions for a while now, only because they’ve been an absolute bore to me. I don’t know how much more I can handle watching the same matches between the same two tag teams every week.
Not to mention, the only reason Big Show is with The Bar at this point in time is to have a third competitor on their team, like the New Day does. I’m glad after the match they finally showed the other tag teams on SmackDown, because they’ve been buried and left in the dust for the longest time.
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Brian Farrell
Jeff Hardy beating Andrade Almas. This certainly wasn’t too bad of a match, wasn’t bad at all. But I, along with others, am sick and tired of Almas losing. His character can only take so many losses before becoming irrelevant, and it seems like he is heading down the road. He has a bright future, and it’s being dimmed by not putting him over in matches where he looks great, but can’t win.
Nate Craver
Becky Lynch’s promo takes it for me. Her delivery was great. I just have to pick this because of how disappointed I am that the one match I was looking forward to on the Survivor Series card was cancelled.
I just hate it for Becky. Although, I think Nia’s stray right hand has saved WWE from having to make a decision I don’t think any of us would have liked. I really felt like Vince was going to feed Becky to Ronda.
The other thing I didn’t like was the hug for Charlotte. Becky could have just said: “You pushed me to my limit. Now, go kick her ass.” The hug went too far from the badass Becky we’ve seen.
Nicholas Holicki
Last night we witnessed the death of logic, common sense and sanity. Actually, come to think of it, SAnitY was buried some time ago, so really it’s just logic and common sense.
Why was Daniel Bryan given a championship match just a few weeks after he squandered his last title opportunity by decisively tapping out? Why did the match automatically disqualify him from participating in the Survivor Series elimination match on Sunday? Why did the Miz – now sole team captain – announce that he wanted to cleanse said team of all of Bryan’s selections, before making his first order of business naming Jeff Hardy to the team? The same Jeff Hardy who Miz fiercely opposed just last week when Bryan wanted him included.
Can anyone explain why Becky went from despising Charlotte to warmly embracing her in less than a month? Or why Shane McMahon is still the BEST IN THE WORLD? Ok, that last one might just be a personal hangover. But it still counts!
Throughout the night, Tom Phillips tried to convince us that SmackDown Live was chaotic. But chaos doesn’t mean entertaining, and disarray isn’t a substitute for proper storytelling.
How would you rate the show overall? (From best to worst: SmackDamn, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, Ellsworthy and A Smack in the Face)
Ashley D’Altilio
Smacktastic. This was a phenomenal go-home show for Survivor Series, and kept me wondering what is to come this Sunday! What will happen when Daniel Bryan faces Brock Lesnar? What type of match will take place between Charlotte and Ronda Rousey? This go-home show actually made me excited for the pay-per-view, which the WWE has failed to do for me lately. Great show!
Brian Farrell
A low SmackDamn. Most of the show was Smack Bang in the Middle, with some good and bad bits here and there. But the shock ending made SmackDown a must-watch for me. The last thirty minutes were fantastic and made sense, especially considering the opening segment.
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Nate Craver
Smack Bang in the Middle. I almost went higher for the sheer craziness of the night. However, Almas losing, a so-so tag team match and all the ladies lining up in a row really forced me back down to the middle.
Nicholas Holicki
This show was a like a derailed train: unpredictable, bewildering and rapidly careening towards disaster.
Admittedly, the news that Becky was not medically cleared to wrestle on Sunday made me predisposed to hating this week’s SmackDown. But then again, nothing was done to change my mind about it either.
I was confused by the opening segment, irritated by yet another Almas loss, disappointed that Charlotte would be replacing ‘the Man’ at Survivor Series, and completely disinterested in the prospect of a Raw counter-attack. The fact that it never materialised only annoyed me more.
Of course, I enjoyed the Bryan / Styles match. I mean, who couldn’t? But it’s hard to argue that the heel turn felt a little unearned and closed the chapter on what has been an underwhelming title reign. Overall, SmackDown was cluttered with so much superfluous, overly manufactured nonsense that I’m left with little choice but to call it Ellsworthy.
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