SmackDown Fallout ─ Crown Jewel VII

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Happy Friday! I wouldn’t say it’s a spectacular one but it’s always nice when we get here. This was a strange week, wasn’t it? Rife with what one would call Mercury Retrograde occurrences right at the end of one. For those who don’t know, Mercury Retrogrades are times noted in Astrology when the planet Mercury appears to reverse its rotation. It’s an illusion but astrologically it’s said to have effects. Those generally are delays, technical glitches and miscommunications. Anyone who has a typical desk job can attest that this past Thursday was an anomaly as some sort of update rollout for Microsoft shutdown Outlook servers grinding modern communication to a halt. If you needed an answer, you were forced to pick up a phone because email was down.

 

Then today, all those traveling in the United States were faced with a nightmare scenario as another software update shutdown flight operations, grounding all domestic flights. I’m sure conspiracy theorists are having a field day. We’re under cyber-attack due to tensions with Iran and perhaps Russia poking around to see where our weaknesses are while appearing to interact under the guise of alliance and/or peace. 🤔 Who knows. I’m just glad I had no where to be today. If people want to pay me to sit at a desk and surf the internet, so be it. So, I wasn’t devastated by this week’s technological snafus but my sympathies to those outwardly affected. I’m sure it sucks.

 

In the Wrestling World, the focus is on the Realm of AEW as they prepare for their Full Gear PPV set for this Saturday. To get everyone all excited for it and give time to the performers for rest, they had a joint Dynamite/Collision this week which set the tone for this weekend’s event. The few things that stood out for me was first, Uncle Edge’s stern words for his Face Team after the Blood & Guts Match.

 

Will Ospreay basically got in Uncle Edge’s face and went, “Why!?” Why did he throw in the towel? Uncle Edge let him have it. ‘Cause he knows what pain is. You kids are still young and have your careers ahead of you but all of you are rocking gnarly injuries that are only gonna get worse. You wanna know how I know? ‘Cause I’m living fucking proof! Every damn day I’m reminded of what my body has gone through and that the clock is ticking. If you can’t respect me looking out for you guys, then I don’t know what I’m doing here.

 

Naturally, Ospreay didn’t really know what to say to that because the point was brimming with plenty of truth. Some are saying that this might indicate an Uncle Edge Heel Turn but I doubt it. He was just being “Uncle Edge”. He’s the grizzled vet here. And these damn kids don’t know what they’re asking for. Can’t even register how he did ‘em a favor. I hear ya, Uncle Edge. I don’t know what comes next but I respect Uncle Edge’s stance. I hope these dern kids just hear the wisdom. He should let ‘em suffer their own consequences if they don’t. Can’t say he didn’t try to help ‘em out.

 

After that, we got into the face-off between Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher. I found this amusing because Fletcher appears to be in his “Super Villain” phase. The showdown was melodramatic but entertaining. Ospreay feels he’s the better man now. And Fletcher seems to be simmering with contempt and jealousy. Fuck this Ospreay! But it’s kinda over-the-top so it prompts me to chuckle more than become compelled but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I don’t need this to be overly dramatic or heavy. We’re all looking forward to the match ‘cause we know these blokes can dance so I hope they have a lot of fun with it. Fletcher can laugh maniacally all he wants while Ospreay takes the High Road. I guess we’ll see if Ospreay “loses himself” at any point and takes Fletcher’s bait at a pivotal moment. We shall see.

 

And so that leaves us with the Riders of Death. Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir have dogs in the hunt this time around so to give us a light taste of what’s to come, they had a Mixed Tag Team Match against Jay White and Mercedes Moné. This match was a lot of fun and it seemed they had a lot of fun with it. I appreciated how the ladies didn’t back down from fighting the boys and I don’t mind that the boys were willing to fight back. They kept it “fair”. I get the feeling these guys are friendly in real time so I’m glad they hammed it up out there. Mox and Shafir got the official win but naturally The Cut came out to issue a beat down and Moné gave Shafir a few things to contemplate before they go for it on Saturday.

 

As for The Future, I see that Juice Robinson is still “out” but I hope they start fucking with Mox when he gets back. I’m thinking he just took some time off but if it were me, I’d be like blood? Oh, that...someone spilt some Maraschino cherries when I was walking through with a cranberry and vodka. It got everywhere and I needed new pants. Why would Orange Cassidy stab me with a fork? That’s just crazy, man…Still think you suck, though 😉 Let the “gaslighting” begin. White and The Cut can play it off like an honest mistake. They got better things to get on his ass about, right? And the beauty of this tactic is that they can play it right into next year.

 

As for Strike 1, well…I felt it should be done before year’s end but they can start 2027 off with a bang. I’d just say do it before the Royal Rumble. You want this sort of stuff to hold its own space. You don’t want to look like you’re competing with a bigger event or get overshadowed. All I can really suggest is have fun brainstorming and let the ways to “fuck with Mox” be unique to the parties involved. We know that Mox is smarter than he looks so, they have to be subtle but clearly up to something, he just can’t fully prove what. The Riders should smell something fishy too but same deal. Can’t pin anything concrete on them. Then when Strike 1 goes down and the Riders look at them, The Cut can be like, “What are you talking about? You’re paranoid. We’re not the only ones who can’t stand you, remember…” They could have a lot of fun with it and they should. Get cerebral but sprinkle it with some humor. It should be a good time in the end. I’ll leave them do it.

 

In the WWE Universe, it’s all about Survivor Series and War Games but we’ll take a brief aside this SmackDown as John Cena returns to hype up his new John Cena Classic. It’s also the last of the Fallout from Crown Jewel.

 

On a side note, word is that this past Crown Jewel performed poorly. Quelle surprise. Word is also going around that the Saudi contract is up in 2028 and it’s likely to not be renewed under the TKO/WWE regime. Most don’t feel this is a bad thing but it could have repercussions. That’s a lot of money to no longer bring in. They could get broader with the releases when the quarterly reports come around unless they find a new revenue stream. There’s some time to sort it out but we’ll see what happens.

 

Anyway, back to this evening’s festivities. In the ring, we can expect the Brothers Tonga to continue beefing with バクサイ. Charlotte Flair will see what Jacy Jayne has learned so far. GUNTHER will try to even the score against an un-Dæmoned Finn Bálor. Tiffany Stratton will strut her Heel self around and gloat a bit about being the new Women’s Champion. And we’ll see what other outcomes we must deal with now that Crown Jewel is over and Survivor Series is on the horizon.

 

I’m not feeling all that hungry this evening but I may whip up a snack later. That means I should be nice and settled in by showtime. It’s rainy in Southern California too so, there’s a lot of incentive to get nice and cozy. Make the most of wherever you are in the world and enjoy the evening. As They say, life is to be lived but there’s nothing with getting comfortable in the meantime.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)