SmackDown Left Us a Message Before Crown Jewel...

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

Happy Friday! So, there are few things going on. Some of them a little bittersweet but there’s enough to get a decent chat going. Up for it? Let’s do it.

So, let’s just swing by the Realm of AEW for a moment to check in on the Moxley Takeover. Looks like they had some fun this past week on Dynamite with Darby Allin dropping from the rafters. Personally, I’d have him do that on top of someone but I can understand the safety issues with that. I also liked how Orange Cassidy presented his case and how Wheeler Yuta used himself as bait. I can understand him sticking to the devil he knows with Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan out for the time being. Where else would he go? 

As for the man of the hour in Jon Moxley himself, I think these in-between times would be best used to implement some “charm”. If this is gonna go for a year or 2, this has to remain engaging. So, during the “lulls”, perhaps this is a time to show what he has to offer. Maybe elaborate more on his “philosophy” and where possible, perhaps infuse some humor. As I keep saying, the key to being a good Heel is that the Crowd likes you too. If a Heel is doing one’s job, people like it when one is one’s bad self. Mox isn’t there yet, though I am intrigued by this current angle. Mox’s underlying task is determining how to get us to like the “carnage”. Nights like this past Wednesday are certainly a start. I’ll be checking in to see how all this progresses.

Back in the WWE Universe, we hear that some people have been released today. The most notable were the likes of Indi Hartwell, Tegan Nox and surprisingly Baron Corbin. Most, including myself, weren’t surprised at Hartwell and Nox though, Nox seemed more promising, but Corbin feels like when they axed Dolph Ziggler/Nic Nemeth. I’m like, why?! It’s not his fault they don’t know what to do with him. To me, he’d make a good general enforcer but I’d let him take it more into comedy. He’d still kick your ass but maybe throw in some barbs while he does it. Whatever goes down, so and so had it coming so, here’s the beating. 

The format would have to be changed a bit. The General Managers don’t really “exact their bidding” anymore and they haven't had an all out brawl in a minute but there have one-on-ones that have gotten out of hand so he could be a type to knock the knuckleheads together and help settle things down. Otherwise, it’s creating a faction. Perhaps Corbin, Giovanni Vinci and some other bald guys could form a “Hairless Collective” or something. That would have to be comedic but they could be effective. 

In any case, I don’t like it. Corbin is a good worker and there’s plenty of life left in him. I hope he comes back someday but best to him in the meantime. Many feel he has a future in TNA. Maybe work that out for a few years and come back when what he’s about is better fleshed out. I feel he needs another look.

Well, life goes on and for the WWE Universe, SmackDown left us some pre-taped action as everyone gets themselves over to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel. We know we can expect The Rock at the end but in what capacity remains to be seen. The Ladies will offer up a Tag Team representative Fatal-4-Way as Bianca Belair, Lash Legend, Piper Niven and Iyo Sky show up to show out. We’ll have a teaser match as Randy Orton pairs with Cody Rhodes to take on GUNTHER and Ludwig Kaiser. Liv Morgan and Nia Jax will have their pre-PLE showdown and Roman Reigns will reconnect with The Usos for a touch of mild nostalgia as The Bloodline gears up for the first battle of this Civil War. 

Crown Jewel is looking pretty stacked this time around so I’m expecting a solid show. I’ll be watching that closer to the usual showtime tomorrow at about 5pm PDT. Maybe earlier depending on when the replay is up. I’ll probably post my matches of interest later on tonight. In the meantime, the unofficial watch party is at 8pm PDT. Feel free to stop by if Halloween tuckered you out.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)