SmackDown Says Go Home but Stay Close...

 Happy Friday, Enthusiasts!

How’s everything going? It’s a hot one in SoCal. I’m sitting here melting, but that doesn’t keep me from blogging. You can call me “devoted” 😉 In any case, there are few things to chat about today. So, let’s get into it.

We’ll start in the Realm of AEW as we have now the “Copeland Era” yet, it may not be quite the dynasty some may have hoped. I heard that Edge/Adam Copeland’s debut on Dynamite wasn’t very well-rated but that may have been due to a streaming glitch. Word is that the TV Listing was showing at 4pm in some areas leading to some confusion and perhaps lost viewers. 

Regardless, I felt compelled to support Copeland so I took a gander via On Demand services. Well, AEW definitely has its charm yet I still feel more satisfied with WWE fare. However, there were some bright spots. Rey Fenix certainly proved himself and a former NXT/WWE-er in Toni Storm is embracing her inner hysterics as she tries on a Sunset Boulevard-like gimmick. 

I appreciate Storm’s creative stretch. I can see it getting shot down on WWE turf but AEW can afford to be experimental and taking the shot appears to be working. The “Troubled Starlette” is showing she is quite “timeless” indeed. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s courted back to WWE in time. She could probably serve the purpose that they tried to get Lacey Evans to fill. We shall see.

As for Uncle Edge, there was nothing wrong with his performance. It was honest and well-delivered yet…it could be seen as a bit heavy-handed. He has had experience in actual TV acting and we can see it doesn’t affect his delivery. It just may be a little much for pro-wrestling but we’ll allow Mr. Copeland to find that delicate balance. No doubt he could. It’s obvious he loves the game so I’m sure he’ll figure out something that works. Yet regardless, there may be something simpler holding him back.

The problem with slanging in this Industry is that if you slang for long enough, people “remember when” and in Edge’s case, it’s very obvious that he has aged. Not poorly, per se, but he’s no spring chicken and it shows and I fear he may fall into the “hard to watch in action because he’s old” category. Let’s face it. Most don’t like seeing their uncle out there “killing himself” if he’s “too old” to be in the ring. He’s not as bad as Ric Flair getting back into the ring but it’s in the vicinity. Edge is still in great shape but the years do show on him. If he still looked youthful, he may fare better but he may have to accept some facts. I call him “Uncle Edge” for a reason. Regardless, I do wish him well and hope he finds a sense of happiness nonetheless.

In the WWE Universe, what we all suspect appears to be in the works. What’s going around is that CM Punk is “in talks” with WWE. I, like many, am not surprised. That’s exactly what should be happening and I feel now that both sides now know what they know, a new alliance can be forged that works for them both. Sometimes, a little time and different experiences show that person was better off where they were all along. 

I don’t blame Punk for leaving WWE when he did. Content was laughable back then and I’m sure they didn’t really want to hear any “suggestions”. Yet, now that UFC is primarily in control, whatever old guard preferences are now held in contrast to metrics (does it improve ratings, is well reviewed, etc.…) and whatever works is probably in favor as opposed to what someone decrees at the last minute. It’s a fairer way of operation and should allow the product to improve and evolve.

As in most conglomerate settings, the real caveat is losing sight of the point. Making gains and “hitting the right numbers” may sap some ingenuity out of the presentation leading to stale, predictable content. 

You want to keep a sense of spontaneity in live entertainment. They can’t forget the life blood of it, though planned and scripted even so, anything can happen and in some cases, that’s better. As long as that fact isn’t lost in the quest for supremacy, WWE should always be fine. I’m crossing my fingers it all gets sorted out in time for Survivor Series.

And so, that brings us to tonight’s SmackDown. It’s a Go Home Show as we have FastLane set for tomorrow evening. To whet our appetites we can expect John Cena to appear. Asuka & Charlotte Flair will team up to take on Bayley and Iyo Sky of Damage CTRL. We’ll get another look at Dragon Lee as he faces Austin Theory. Bobby Lashley will take on Rey Mysterio and we should see the likes of Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. 

If you want specifics, you’ll have to watch. I’ll share my 2¢ come the 8 o’clock hour, Pacific Time, same place as always. You’re always welcome. 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)