SmackDown Knows It's Close...

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Happy Friday. So, there’s not all that much going on. Well, not a lot for me to comment on but you know, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. AEW prepares for Dynasty this weekend while WWE sets the final pieces on the stage for WrestleMania so it’s like a quiet before the storm. There are a few things I can chat about, though so let’s get to it then to our weekend.

 

Over in the Realm of AEW, it appears Will Osprey took Jon Moxley’s advice and “used his head” by flying in some back up to help him deal with the Riders of Death. He got his lady love, Alex Windsor along with Francesco Akira, Henare and Callum Newman to arrive just in time while he was taking it to Moxley in the Parking Lot on this week’s Dynamite. And then they went at it officially at the end of the show in a big ole 4-on-4 Match.

 

This was a lot of fun. And, if I didn’t know better, I’d say Osprey is beginning to have fun without the numbered canvas. See, it’s nice to let loose from time to time isn’t it 😉 I’m happy for him. This was a good time and palatable. It also gave us a good look from these players from across the pond. I haven’t heard much about them but they had a good showing.

 

I have to concur with the general consensus that Henare made the best impression. He’s a stocky, intense fellow but not overtly intimidating which makes him approachable and engaging. He let it all hang out but was also lowkey humorous when he was getting beat up. Like, the looks on his face were more “Why are you doing that?” and “OW!” I had to chuckle.

 

Osprey and Crew got the W here so what does that mean for Sunday? Well…we’ll leave it up to Mox ‘cause it’s still a little too early to start off the Future but more seeds can certainly be planted. I’ll follow up later and see what they end up doing.

 

Over in the WWE Universe, there’s a lot of experimentation with kayfabe and I’m all for it. I have to admit, when I started this blog, I was a little too invested and believed what I was seeing and hearing a little too much but now that I’m looking from a proper distance, I can appreciate the smoke and mirrors.

 

With all the talk of poor creative and TKO Brass sticking their noses in, they’re rolling with it and making it “part of the plot.” I think this shows itself most in the new Pat McAfee angle and to a lesser extent CM Punk’s opening promo on RAW this week.

 

As I suggested in my last post, I think people are taking things a bit too seriously and I don’t really know why. Perhaps it’s a bit of sublimation in response to other ills in the Western World at present. Shit’s expensive. Wages aren’t matching and then there’s a war in Iran for some reason making gas even more expensive.

 

Then WWE is trying to coax people to Las Vegas to spend even more money. While we have to accept $30 a month in order to watch. The angst is understandable. Yet, the answers and relief aren’t forthcoming anytime soon. All I can suggest is take care of your mental health.

 

I have my own struggles too and sympathize but this is entertainment in the end and you should keep in mind that WWE is a Heel Company on top of all that. Expect to be poked and prodded but don’t take the bait. We have to enjoy ourselves to some degree if they want to keep getting what they do get from us so don’t expect them to cross too many lines but do expect your hide to get chapped. That’s what they’ve always done. I, personally, have come to appreciate it but you don’t have to. Just don’t let it lead to a headache. It’s not that serious.

 

And with that, we arrive at tonight’s SmackDown. The kinda big news is that Royce Keys finally debuts on regular TV. We’ll see who gets squashed. Bayley will see if she and Alexa Bliss still have some chemistry. Sami Zayn will have something for Trick Williams and L’il Yachty. If Rhea Ripley is good to go, she’ll have some things to say to Jade Cargill. Heard she landed herself in the ER for some injury recently. Last week Jacob Fatu had some words for Drew McIntyre so it’s McIntyre’s turn this week. And Pat McAfee will be on hand to tell us all to get over it. Could this be a good time to relight that McAfee/Corey Graves potential feud? Graves is supposed to be for the Authority but I’m sure an exception could be made for McAfee. We’ll see if they kick it around at some point.

 

I have to cook tonight so, I’ll be a little distracted at the start but I’ll be locked in by the end. Party starts at 8pm PDT. Swing by if you got nothing scheduled for the evening.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)