SmackDown In A Nutshell: From SummerSlam To Extreme Rules

It’s time for another SmackDown in a Nutshell, as we move on from SummerSlam to Extreme Rules.

As in, Extreme Rules, the next WWE PPV.

So, SummerSlam was just about a week ago, and with that show all wrapped up, the focus will turn to Extreme Rules.

Will Brock Lesnar grace us with his presence, both on this SmackDown In A Nutshell, and possibly that next PPV?

What about Becky Lynch? How will the new SmackDown Women’s Champion jump back into the fray?

See, there’s a lot slated to go on in this little SmackDown in a Nutshell. We’ve got to get from SummerSlam to Extreme Rules, after all.

OK, we really don’t have to get from one to the other in the span of just a couple hours.

But, we do expect to see WWE set in motion it’s plans for the next PPV, September’s Extreme Rules.

So, enough about what to expect…let’s get right to it. It is time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: From SummerSlam To Extreme Rules

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see what happens next!

Best Match of the night:

Honestly, call me crazy, but the 4 way elimination match wasn’t half bad.

My main reason? I liked that Liv Morgan got a bit of a push here.

Sure, she lost, but she looked good, and I felt like she got a nice little pop when she came out.

But, for the match…I’ll take Nakamura, Boogs, Ziggler and Roode.

Worst match of the night:

I kind of want to pick on Sami Zayn and Dom Mysterio.

Not for match quality. Honestly, it was solid.

Just…Sami feels wasted, and it’s just setting up that family feud.

Star of the Night

I kind of have no true stand out here.

Becky Lynch was my first thought, because I loved her promo.

She might be a heel…but she’s not going to be a Roman Reigns heel. Honestly still feels like they will make her a ‘tweener.

Like, there will be fans who love Bianca and hate Becky…but when Becky said she wasn’t sorry…seems she got plenty of cheers.

Spot of the Night:

No signature spot tonight

Jobber of the Night:

As with many other nights before it…The Usos win.

Because to close the show, we saw them take the beating from the baby faces, as Roman Reigns safely walked to the back.

Rinse…repeat.

Though…they are the champs…so they can’t win this.

So, how about…Zelina Vega and Carmella? Because even Liv Morgan pointed out that they lose a lot.

Even if Carmella retorted about Liv hanging out in catering…

Upset of the Night:

Nothing really.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

I am struggling to put one here.

The NXT logo I discuss later.

Kevin Owens (and the rest of the RAW team…) handling the announce duties, because our normal crew is dealing with COVID?

More shocking to me was that Cole actually acknowledged the reasons.

Commentary of the night:

Kevin Owens is good on commentary. I hope that, whenever he retires, he lands at a broadcast desk.

LOL Moment of the night:

Happy Corbin is a thing. Or a person.

Corbin hit big in Vegas and is now a happy heel…who tried and failed to buy the briefcase.

Best line was probably Corbin telling Big E that he should sell to him, since “people cash in and lose”…and Big E said…”like you?”

Speaking of Happy Corbin…as I’ve said before, I shall say again…this one feels like WWE swiping a page from recent NXT writing.

Either that is on purpose or buy accident. Fine, Corbin won his money in Vegas…but Cameron Grimes, Ted DiBiase and stonks would like a word….

Noteworthy Moment:

A couple for me.

One…the “new” NXT logo got shown during the show. I apologize if it was shown before…first time for me.

My thoughts? Reminds me of the Nasty Boys shirts for some reason.

Like…what was wrong with the black and gold? I liked the look, the logo, the colors and all that.

I’d rather have seen them boot up a 4th, “starter” type brand and keep NXT as what it was, more or less.

Also, there is this:

Adam Cole is still listed as an active star, we might see him at RAW pic.twitter.com/lwFtbJrvB9

— Wrestlebuddy (@Wrestle_buddy) August 28, 2021

No Adam Cole on SmackDown. But some still hold onto the slight hope that maybe, just maybe..Bay-Bay…we will see him on RAW.

Personally not holding my breath…but I’d rather see him in WWE than not.

Overall lowlights:

It was inevitable, we knew it was coming, but that does not mean I have to like the Mysterio drama.

Not excited for the probable father-son feud.

Also, already mentioned it, but I hate the new NXT logo/color scheme.

I feel bad for Finn Balor. You know he’s just keeping Roman Reigns busy until…well…until WWE throws someone else at him to keep him busy.

Overall highlights:

I actually liked the opening segment and the 4 way elimination match. Was a nice way to address SummerSlam.

Cesaro against Alpha Academy, in my opinion, is foreshadowing a move to come in the WWE Draft. Just a hunch, but Cesaro needs some backup…

I liked the wrinkles with Heyman and The Bloodline. It’s a way to keep Lesnar mentioned and tied in, without having him appear…and it can (and likely will) come up again.

After the final bell:

Not a bad show…but kind of, sort of, a predictable Nutshell. It works, moving on from SummerSlam to Extreme Rules.

How so? Well, let us see…

We’ve got our next #1 contender to challenge Becky…and it’s Bianca Belair. I’d bet that goes down at Extreme Rules.

The Street Profits have inserted themselves into the tag title scene by backing up Finn Balor against The Bloodline.

Speaking of Balor…he challenged Reigns for that Universal Championship match, but next week, not at Extreme Rules.

Edge wants that big title too…so maybe Balor gets out of the way next week and we do get Edge for Extreme Rules?

I feel like Sheamus will land on SmackDown and re-join Cesaro…and I am OK with that.

Lots of things in motion this week. We’ve got things setting up for next week, for Extreme Rules, and even maybe the pending draft.

It was a busy show, but a good one for the most part. That’s it…in a Nutshell.