Smackdown Spectacular: Sizzle or Subpar?
This episode of Smackdown this evening had much review of the happenings and developments from Monday Night RAW. The preview and opening segment featured new WWE champion Roman Reigns.
In his first Smackdown as champion, Reigns took to the microphone and addressed his success and ardent feelings about winning the belt, and his fans. Roman subsequently promo-ed Sheamus and prompted Sheamus to come out, and utilized security to tempt and prompt Reigns to leave the ring. Security was treated to Superman punches.
In other action, the Lucha Dragons defeated the New Day in non-title action. You will recall that the New Day retained their belts, and had their first Smackdown match (post-TLC). New Day treated us to a promo before the bout. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods represented the team with Big E outside; versus Kalisto and Sin Cara. Due to the Lucha victory, they will be featured on the Christmas Smackdown in tag title competition versus New Day.
Tyler Breeze, accompanied by Summer Rae was defeated in his bout versus Titus O’Neil who is underrated as a singles star and deserves more of a push. Titus deserves a run and credibility to be booked differently, and not in just tag team matches, or throw-away singles bouts. He could be a strong man baby face racking up wins in decisive fashion, or a killer heel that could decimate opponents. However, Titus wins when of all people Goldust had his presence known and prompted Breeze to lose the bout. In a backstage vignette, Goldust was seen as Breeze was being tended to during a pedicure and make-up before his match.
Some may be asking, where does WWE go with Breeze? What will be the good “sink your teeth into” feud that he will settle into, not to mention a series of wins, victories?
The League of Nations was prominently featured as Del Rio defeated Ryback in singles competition, and had a post-match beat down. Sheamus Brogue Kicked Ryback, and Rusev applied the Camel Clutch “Accolade” afterwards.
In divas developments, Team BAD are still featured as bystanders and in the crowd, but confusingly as to why they are not in the ring, or finding ways to showcase themselves in this manner. However, Becky Lynch with assistance from a soon-to-be heel-ish Charlotte defeated Brie Bella.
In the main event, Kevin Owens faced Dolph Ziggler, and the match went to a no-contest. Owens was aggressive in this contest, and did not seem to care about wins or losses. It was more about a statement and attrition; while taking harm and table using (commentary table) to imply a message and attack on Ziggler.
The Outlook: Moving forward; Smackdown still needs the “hook”, like RAW had this past week December 14th with McMahon appearing and Roman winning. To open up the show, Smackdown used RAW results to set up their show. However, Smackdown does not have its own identity, and doesn’t have an arc and story to make people want to tune into the Thursday WWE offering. But, Smackdown on January 7th is going to USA, and is to be live. Following NXT London from Wednesday, Smackdown needed a strong showing to show how comparable and perhaps better than RAW.
The Reality: In closing, what is the hook for Smackdown? Perhaps a new title tournament would help generate interests- in bringing back a Cruiserweight or Smackdown Tag team titles or a Television title helps. Such newness with open challenges to all tag teams, and free agents not signed by WWE would create excitement. This would mean excitement and possibilities of: new feuds, new talents and developments. This would be as opposed to the rehash of matches, with little variations, a review rundown of RAW; and a show with no new or real storylines to move the drama. Just a thought…
Final review: In going live, every match and segment must count. This is in order to sustain, keep and improve ratings to make them higher, and better than what they should be (as it stands currently, is subpar). What will Smackdown do?
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