SmackDown Reminds Us That This Is a Go-Home Show...

Happy Friday, Enthusiasts!

 

It’s the start of a 3-Day Weekend and we have Payback to look forward to tomorrow. There’s space to make it quite the weekend. Before we get to that, there are a few things going on in the Wrestling World. Nothing too exciting but enough for some conversation. Shall we start the chat?

 

First bit of business, The CM Punk Saga continues and more tidbits have been added to the drama. Word has it that Punk may have chewed out Tony Khan after and there’s footage of the Jack Perry confrontation given that most of Wembley Stadium is fitted with cameras.

 

CM Punk was set for AEW’s follow-up PPV, All Out, in Chicago this Sunday but whether Punk or Perry will be in attendance has yet to be confirmed. What’s going around is that Punk informally quit but I don’t know how seriously to take any of it. It’s bordering on ridiculous if it’s real so I’m going to stick to my “shot-work” hypothesis. We’ll see if they turn it into something entertaining.

 

In the WWE Universe, there are few things of note in progress. 1 of which is that Xavier Woods is dealing with a minor injury. They’re saying it’s due to a spot he took on RAW and so he’s sitting out until next week.

 

In other news, it looks like John Cena has made himself available for WWE with the Actors ‘ & Writers’ Strikes still on-going in Hollywood. That is kinda interesting because I don’t think anyone was really figuring him for the action. Now, I don’t doubt he can be useful but his presence brings up the current issues with his presentation.

 

I understand Cena is living and dying by his brand but it’s becoming painfully out of date. Crowds appear to not mind for now but I have a hard time seeing this maintain for younger generations. I would at least start to have talks of a reimagining. He can’t keep it up forever.

 

In any case, that brings us to tonight’s SmackDown. It is the go-home show for Payback and bookies aren’t expecting many changes. WWE will have to get creative to keep things interesting in that's the case. With Cena available, however, there’s talk of inserting him into the action, perhaps with Rhodes or AJ Styles.  That’s at least guaranteed watchable fare.

 

As for tonight, we’ll see Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio pair up to face the upstart union of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. And Jimmy Uso will return with Jey Uso “off the roster” so that he can explain himself to some degree. For all the details we’ll have to watch. I was planning to be out of town but the plans changed. It looks like next week now and so, I’ll be watching like usual during the 8 o’clock hour on the West Coast. As always, you’re welcome to watch along. I'm easy to find.

 

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)