As many of you will know, the go-home shows have been quite lacklustre as of late (with the exception of the last RAW go-home show we had) and I think one of the big factors for this is that there are so many damn PPVs now since the brand split that it is getting more difficult to produce great go-home shows - thankfully it sounds like WWE are going to go back to the old one-PPV-a-month deal from next year which will allow for both brands to really build their stories up to the best of their abilities instead of rushing it each month. But how did Smackdown fair on their go-home show this week? Sure there were more segments than matches, but it can't be all that bad...can it?
Women's Championship contract signing
I really dig the fact that the women get to do contract signings, I believe that it further legitimises them as being on the same level as the men and so was quite happy to see one go down on Smackdown. Two things I couldn't quite help but feel off about: first that it was a contract signing for a normal match (at the time of the segment) and second that it seemed like both Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon weren't even on the show (this must be the case since Rene Young was the one to look over the contract signing). Anyways, the back and forth promo between Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss was actually pretty good and I feel it actually gets you invested in their rivalry to see who is going to come out on top by the end of it. The brawl that broke out between the two seemed a bit random especially since Becky was the one who started it - this made me feel like she is a bit of a hot head and gets insulted pretty quickly. It ended with Becky going through the table that was set up for the contract signing which resulted in the women's championship match becoming a Tables match. I will admit that I'm not a massive fan of tables matches in today's era but I do feel if anyone could remotely pull off a good tables match it has to be these two women.
Rating: 7.5
Kalisto & Dolph Ziggler VS Baron Corbin & The Miz w/Maryse
Winner: Kalisto & Dolph Ziggler
Rating: 8
Tension with the Wyatts?
So this was a backstage segment where Bray was about to talk about American Alpha before Randy Orton interrupted him and said he knows exactly how American Alpha are - that they are ignorant and think that they know how to get the job done. He would then say that he and Bray would get their job done and then turned to Luke Harper and said but would Harper get his job done in his match with Kane. What is so great about this, and the reason why I feel the need to mention it, is that there seems to be a real tension brewing in the Wyatt Family - specially between Randy and Luke. Could this eventually lead to Luke turning on the Wyatt Family which would maybe result in a Wrestlemania match? Regardless, I am really intrigued and they have me invested in this story.
Rating: 8
Carmella VS who??
This was originally meant to be a match between Carmella and someone on the roster - we don't actually know who because it wasn't announced and before that person could come out Carmella took to the mic and started insulting Nikki Bella and saying what she would do to her at TLC in the no disqualification match. Next thing we knew Nikki ran out to the ring and the two started to get in a brawl and because of this the match was called off. I really don't understand decisions like this because all that would be needed is for management to tell Nikki she is banned from ringside and the match could go on as normal - especially since it's not like Carmella was seriously hurt or anything. Ai, but what can you do?
Rating: 7.5
The Ambrose Asylum feat. James Ellsworth
I would like to just point out that this was the fourth segment in a row that occurred. I'm not saying it is bad or anything, but it does run the risk of getting very very tiresome. Anyways, it was ok I guess. We saw Ellsworth come out, I can't really remember what was said, but next thing we knew AJ Styles came out and cut a promo of his own. We then saw Styles shove Ellsworth into Ambrose and beat the crap out of the two. The best moment was when Styles did the Styles Clash to Ellsworth off the steel steps on the outside especially because Ellsworth actually remembered not to tuck his head in this time - well done.
Rating: 7.5
Kane VS Luke Harper
I will admit that I wasn't such a fan of this match going in, and quite frankly still not now, but I will admit that it wasn't actually too bad. It certainly is not the best performance the two can do, especially together, but it was ok. I was a bit surprised that Kane got a victory to be honest, but I think it could possibly allow for the Wyatt tensions story to develop further.
Winner: Kane
Rating: 7
The Wyatts VS American Alpha (No.1 Contendership for Smackdown Tag Team Titles)
15 to 20 minutes - this is the amount of time these four superstars were given to do their stuff and there's only one word to describe it: Awesome! Seriously I was very happy with this match and glad it happened. I can't quite remember the specifics, but I do remember it had me on the edge of my seat because I was routing for the Wyatts to win the match. I will be the happiest man alive if the Wyatts win on Sunday because not only will it be fresh, but it will be Bray Wyatt's very first title win. It's times like these that makes me happy to be a wrestling fan.
Winner: The Wyatts
Rating: 8
Overall Segment Rating: 7.5Overall Match Rating: 7.5
Overall Show Rating: 7.5
And once again we reach the end of another show, and a go-home show at that. I guess looking at it it wasn't really all that bad, but it definitely could have been tons better than it was. I am really looking forward to WWE TLC this Sunday and am hoping it will be a great watch.
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