SmackDown Will Approach Payback When It's Good and Ready....

 Happy Friday, Enthusiasts!

How is it going for everyone? Good? Hanging in there? It’s all you can do, right? Well, there’s some things to talk about today. Shall we just dive right into it?

So, the first bit of news that has the grapevine buzzing is that Cash Wheeler of AEW’s Tag Team, FTR is facing legal repercussions for brandishing a gun during a road rage incident that occurred last month. Bad timing, as FTR is on the card for the next PPV, All In, coming up at the end of the month. As of now, the legal implications do not interfere with Wheeler’s ability to travel but it has to be admitted this isn’t the greatest look. We’ll see if AEW feels the need to make any changes given these circumstances.

In the WWE Universe, we have have come to realize that Lacey Evans has parted ways with the company. I think in her case, they needed to pick a lane and stay in it. I didn’t mind her Southern Belle persona when she first came on the scene. It could have served as a conservative gimmick to front all the “Red State” patrons and given that, she could be a Heel just as easily as a Face. That seemed like what they were going to do with her and then she got pregnant and that seemed to be the end of that. 

I didn’t mind the angle with Ric Flair either. Though cheesy and tacky, they could have fun playing off it anyway. We all know Charlotte Flair could play a lot with being the disapproving daughter. I don’t know why they just didn’t go back to that. The Ms. Marine attempt didn’t really land though she didn’t do too bad with going Heel with it. I guess she just didn’t want to sit idly by as Creative didn’t really factor her into the big picture. 

It could be seen as a missed opportunity but who knows. Maybe AEW could make better use of her. She was decent in the ring and they need a more established Women’s Division. Perhaps she could get more attention there? Needless to say, I wish her well in her future endeavors.

In other WWE news, I saw a blurb that ESPN is open to airing WWE content. The only caveat to that appears to be the return of the $60 PPV. The feeling is that would become the norm again if that sort of partnership went down. Hmmm, not sure about that. Peacock at about $6 is far more desirable. Not sure I’d break down to cough up more for a one-time event. I’d pay something like that yearly but not for each event. 

So, that more or less brings us to tonight’s SmackDown. Payback is the current focus and the build is slow but that’s all right. There’s a little over 2 weeks until that PPV/PLE so they have some time. As for tonight, it’s Uncle Edge’s big night as we celebrate 25 years of him being in the business. Many are alluding to this possibly being a low-key retirement match and I can see why. Edge turns 50 this year and let’s be honest, that’s just old for wrestling. Not to say he can’t keep going but given how he returned from injury and by default is in decline, I don’t blame him for not wanting to push his luck.

However, I’ll just say that I wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t so much a retirement match but a move to part-time status. I think he’ll show up for the occasional one-off if the set-up is good enough but I think we can all agree we have no desire to see him kill himself out there.

His anniversary match will have him face Sheamus for the bragging rights. We’ll have to see how it goes. The Bloodline may also show us the fallout of Jey Uso peacing out for vacation. WWE is playing along with Jey’s walkout having placed him on the Alumni Page but no one is really buying that. We’ll see if they address it tonight or just have the Bloodline take some time during this “troubling and private matter”. 

Also, the newly crowned US Champion, Rey Mysterio, will be accompanied by Santos Escobar on the "Grayson Waller Effect”. Get the feeling Austin Theory or some other upstart may crash the party but we’ll have to see. I’ll be watching along with the rest of the West Coast at 8pm PDT. You’re always welcome to watch along if you’re able. It’s an easy way to pass a couple of hours.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)