SmackDown Does Its Best to Stay Focused on the Royal Rumble....

Happy Friday, Enthusiasts!

Well, there’s certainly stuff to talk about. Shall I just cut right to the chase and get it over with? All right, here we go.

So, it’s spread to the legitimate news outlets that a civil suit has been filed against Mr. Vince McMahon and the allegations are quite damning to say the least. Though many have read the complaint, I’m fine with taking everyone’s word for it. And like many commenters, please keep in mind that this is a civil suit so the Plaintiff is trying to get the agreement honored more than have Mr. McMahon charged with crimes. That would be a state matter I would think if criminal charges were to be filed. Regardless, the accounts described appear to be deplorable and it’s an unfortunate blight on this Go-Home Week for the Royal Rumble.

No doubt the Plaintiff’s counsel angled for the timing of the filing. Right when there’s visibility on WWE, slam this suit down and see what happens. Though I feel for the Plaintiff, I can’t help but feel this sort of spoils what was sure to be an otherwise fun weekend. I was really looking forward to it. With CM Punk back and all the main players seeming to be finding their strides, the Rumble was looking like it was set to COOK! But now, we’ll see if they can make us forget what’s floating around. That really is too bad. Our performers, for the most part, have nothing to do with this and will now get hit with the residual flak.

What is interesting though is that if there were any plans to have Brock Lesnar enter the Rumble, I’m sure that has been scrapped for now. He too was implicated in the unsavory accounts stated in the suit and with today’s social morae leaning so conservatively, it would be hard to justify the subsequent awkwardness that would be sure to follow upon his entry. It’s just not worth it. 

That does raise a few questions. What I was going to lead with was how Dwayne ‘formally “The Rock”’ Johnson was named to the TKO Board of Directors. In light of the revelations, one can’t help but wonder if TKO executives knew this bombshell was about to drop and made the move as some preemptive damage control. Just for posterity, please note how Ava, The Rock’s daughter, becoming the NXT General Manager practically overnight is quite a Heel move. Not sure if we can consider that foreshadowing at the moment but do keep that in mind.

In any case, in lighter news, Kevin Owens is keeping to the proverbial script as he dusted up with Logan Paul recently during training sessions. I commend the 2 of them on trying to get back to the weekend’s matter at hand but it will be hard with what’s going around, especially now that sponsors are withdrawing and whatnot. The issue is a little hard to ignore. The previous allegations were at least 30 some odd years ago. These new ones happened within the past few years, so that speaks volumes about certain parties' supposed conduct. Everybody is just going to have to try and do their best. It’s all they can do at the moment. They didn’t have the explicit relations just worked for a CEO who did.

Yeesh, well, all that aside, that brings us to tonight’s uncomfortable SmackDown. Many of the B-Players will be getting action as the A-Squad rests up for tomorrow. Carlito and Santos Escobar will add another chapter to their personal feud. Austin Theory and Carmelo Hayes will try their match again. The new Ladies in the KCs will see how they measure up against the veteran standard in the Kabuki Warriors. Bobby Lashley will send the Street Profits out to see what’s up with this “Final Testament” and LA Knight will see if he can get more than a DQ out of Solo Sikoa. 

I feel for these people, I really do. They have to suck it up and soldier on. Try to do them a solid. You’re entitled to your feelings and if the revelations turn you off the product, it’s understandable but this is akin to don’t blame the offspring for the sins of the father. These people are just trying to make it at doing something they love. It’s fair to continue to support them. Giving them the benefit of the doubt may just be what salvages this whole thing. The unofficial watch party starts at 8pm PST. Join in if you’re still willing.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)