SmackDown Does Its Job...

So, since I’m on vacation, this will be more a review of SmackDown as opposed to a chat about wrestling current events. We can talk a little bit about that, though since we now know what didn’t happen.

What didn’t happen of course is no CM Punk at the debut of AEW: Rampage. I would think they would want more than a hour to work with for something like that so maybe Wednesday? If not then or Friday, they’re gonna wait until we forget about it or never. That’s how you do it in this industry. We have no choice but to standby.

As for the night’s SmackDown, it was exactly where it needed to be before the Go Home Show. Yes, the opener was a bit long but that’s the gig. That’s what you do when you main event. We have to wait for you to box, you just don’t box. You gotta build the event up & that’s what John Cena and Roman Reigns did. It was a far cry from the first time they tried this and dare I say? Did Cena even come off a little proud? It did take a while for Reigns to find his stride but given what he had to work with, it’s amazing he got here at all. 

Now, the potential was always there but as with most of the WWE, the vision wasn’t. And we now see what a tricky element that is to negotiate because you can be damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Given Reigns has basically been raised under these conditions, it was no surprise finding the right way to sell it took some time. 

Now, I get it, it shouldn’t have taken this long but what I’m getting at is that given the conditions, it only would have. What  to do, does seem like a no-brainer but we forget that the WWE Universe is Reigns’ reality. We can leave it behind. This is all he really knows. Are you really surprised there was a disconnect?

What we now know is that he can be taught! I don’t know if it’s Paul Heyman or maybe he’s chatting up some of the old hands. Whatever it is, it’s working and it’s clear Reigns has been working on it so, even if we wanted to complain, we shouldn’t. Good for him.

The other commendable aspect of tonight is that there was a progressive train of thought. Baron Corbin, so desperate he’s wrestling Kevin Owens for $1,000 and loses only to steal the Money in the Bank briefcase. This is great because it pisses Big E off which segues easily into a feud. This is the sort of basic shit they should have always been doing. No one is expecting award winning television here. We’re just looking for some action and a laugh. Not to say they shouldn’t strive for better entertainment and evolve but, they shouldn’t be working too hard either. They have to do this day in and day out. The shit has to half write itself. Have basic, semi-realistic premises and let people run with it. That’s all it needs to start and you build upon it given the strengths of the players. Let’s hope they keep it going. 

It was a solid show, as it has been and all SmackDown has to do is maintain. It’s a good place to be. Never thought I’d see the day.

See You Monday,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)