SmackDown Returns to 'Merica...

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Happy Friday! It’s not a particularly good one for me, just mixing up the greetings. The Wrestling World has a few grumblings but nothing is rattling the windows, so to speak but I got some stuff I can talk about so let’s get into to it. Shouldn’t take up too much of your time.

 

So, in the Realm of AEW, I would say that the future is coinciding with The Future if I’m reading things right. The match/segment order seemed to focus on the key players. The opener had Papa Christian and Uncle Edge in action. They should initiate Strike 2 when it’s time. Then Jon Moxley took a moment to speak to Will Ospreay in monologue in a backstage promo flanked by both PAC and Gabe “The Hooligan” Kidd. Nice use of vocab words, shall I say. Told ya he’s smarter than he looks.

 

The promo in itself was “telling” in a few ways. I appreciate how Mox is questioning whether Ospreay is really ready for the Big Time. He’s got points for a style that has a high degree of difficulty but does he have the chops to front a company? Mox definitely has the chops but will it be enough to contend with the prowess Ospreay does bring to the table? Debatable and I suppose we’ll see come All Out.

 

What we also may see is the Riders of the Death start to fracture. PAC doesn’t want any breaks given to Ospreay and per usual, Kidd just wants to smash the fuckin’ c*nt’s head into the pavement. So, we’ll see if Mox “goes there”.

 

In terms of The Future, this is good subplot because things “getting nuts” can evolve in all sorts of ways. It’s just that if Strike 1 goes down as I see it, that’s going to take a lot of Mox’s focus. That’s why I keep noticing MJF’s absence. If he pulls that particular trigger, it should be the catalyst for a “deeper” sea change within Mox. It starts to get “personal” and it could mark Mox “losing the plot” a bit.

 

Dissension in the ranks can help fill out whatever blanks there may be in this story and further add to the “building pressure” that leads Mox to continue to act out and eventually bring The Future into being. This can certainly get good. I’m so proud 🤗 Personally, I’m all for PAC taking the helm. We all know he can handle himself and then some in the ring. The only thing he may have to beef up is the presentation. He may have to become more of a Bastard but there’s time for that.

 

The amuse bouche of what’s to come came in the main event as Mox’s crew took on Ospreay’s firm. There was good action but you can say they picked on the little guy in Francesco Akira. They were set to “kill him” after he was choked out by Mox but Ospreay came to the rescue with some help from Andrade.

 

Usually, this is when I’d start bitching ‘cause I’m not sure how we’re supposed to get behind a bunch of bullies but now this sort of behavior serves The Future as it’s definitely an example of why “extreme measures” need to be taken and it can certainly give MJF motivation for Strike 1. His “explanation” will, of course, be bullshit but for Papa Christian and Uncle Edge, it should give them some sturdy horses to ride in on when the time comes. There’s a lot to work with here and plenty of room to fine tune. Good work, gentlemen. Please proceed. The Future Looks Bright. And the future isn’t looking too bad either.

 

In the Indy Wilderness, Malakai/Aleister Black popped into the feed. It appears that the feelings are mutual in terms of how his WWE return was handled. I was pissed too as I expressed but not exactly surprised. The shows haven’t sucked of late so I have less to complain about in terms of Creative but they really don’t know what to do with the “against type” wrestlers, do they 🙄 In any case, the voiced disappointment supports my suggestion for a third and final run. This upset should certainly serve as fuel for the “reckoning” I propose. They don’t know what to do with him? He shows them in real time. You know I can get behind a “hostile takeover”. We’ll see if it ever happens. I’ll be hopeful in 2027.

 

And so that brings us to tonight’s SmackDown. Well, for once they have quite the RAW to follow up. My feed is still full of people gushing about Roman Reigns’ & Penta’s (Lucha-Mitsu) match. It was awesome. Can’t even lie. So, SmackDown has to try to keep the good vibes going. Well, stuff like that can’t be recreated. That’s the beauty of this industry. The magic happens when it happens. But that doesn’t mean a level of excellence can’t be maintained.

 

For our viewing pleasure we can expect, the Brothers Tonga defending the Tag Team Championships against the 険悪バクサイ. We’ll have more Money in the Bank qualifying action as the Ladies have Alexa Bliss, Jade Cargill and Jacy Jayne box for a spot. Then the Men will have Rey Fenix, Randy Orton and Trick Williams throw down. That could get interesting. You’re almost worried about Orton losing. He’s already off his meds and in full “vipe” mode. We’ll see Cody Rhodes’ sit down for an interview and Sami Zayn will revel in reclaiming the Undisputed Championship. Taking bets on how long he keeps it 😉

 

I don’t have to cook today so I’ll be nice and settled in by the West Coast showtime 8pm PDT. Keep the expectations reasonable out there. Let things get back into a maintainable rhythm. That keeps the great shows the bright spots they’re meant to be.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)