It’s time for yet another SmackDown In A Nutshell, and you can’t help but notice that the road to Sin City grows short.
OK, so roads don’t grow…it sounded nice in my head.
But, why is it that the road to Sin City grows short? Well, see, next weekend, it’s time for Money In The Bank.
And, of course, that is in Las Vegas.
As in, Sin City.
OK, so now that we know why the road to Sin City grows short, let’s talk about the next to last SmackDown before we get there.
We know we need more participants for both ladder matches…so I expect some new additions.
And, we can probably expect some title match hype…so perhaps more fun with Natalya and Ronda?
Or The Usos and The Street Profits?
We know not to expect Roman Reigns, though with his next big defense set thanks to last week…I guess that’s kind of OK?
Not really…but it is what it is.
So, without any further delay…it is time for…
SmackDown In A Nutshell: The Road To Sin City Grows Short
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and get into things!
Best Match of the night:
Slim pickings here.
For me, I’d go with either Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura…or Usos against McIntyre and Sheamus.
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Neither will be thought of for the match of the year, mind you.
Worst match of the night:
Tamina and Shotzi.
I mean, it was nice to see a win for Shotzi…but she’s a heel…and so is Tamina.
And…Tamina is tough to watch. But…here’s why she was there…so maybe I can’t completely hate on it.
Aliyah was demoted to the Performance Center for revaluation for her in ring work dawg. #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/xRyxlLKMx6
— ❌ ️ GOAT GOD ️ ❌ #Roman2BeltsSZN (@GOATGOD_1000) June 25, 2022
Star of the Night
Shanky was over big.
Liked what we got out of the Street Profits
Zayn and Gunther round it out for me
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Spot of the Night:
Two choices here…
Air @DMcIntyreWWE! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/i7ArDKWkmM
— WWE (@WWE) June 25, 2022
That didn’t quite go as planned for the Honorary Uce! #SmackDown @SamiZayn @AngeloDawkins @MontezFordWWE @WWEUsos @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/d4j9jTJf4R
— WWE (@WWE) June 25, 2022
Jobber of the Night:
Option one: Tamina.
No offense to Tamina, but she shouldn’t ever be that close to a Money In The Bank spot.
Or, option two: Ricochet.
Right call here, even though just months ago we heard of some monster push for Ricochet.
Problem is…Gunther is getting an even bigger one.
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Upset of the Night:
No upsets tonight.
Mildly surprised we saw Sami Zayn go into the Money In The Bank match over Shinsuke Nakamura.
But, I suppose that will tie in with his honorary Uce angle.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
I already used this as a spot of the night…but it was something that, as I saw it live, made me basically say…holy s!@#
That didn’t quite go as planned for the Honorary Uce! #SmackDown @SamiZayn @AngeloDawkins @MontezFordWWE @WWEUsos @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/d4j9jTJf4R
— WWE (@WWE) June 25, 2022
LOL Moment of the night:
WWE writing at it’s finest. Or, lack of matches.
Flip a coin.
But, either way, to have given spots to Sheamus and Drew McIntyre…and then revoke them? Bad.
Then you have them team up against Jimmy and Jey in order to get back into the spots they had a couple hours prior?
Yep. Laughable.
Otherwise for funny…this…
Nattie as Ronda Rousey is pretty funny. She nailed the hair and makeup. haha. #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/fF3NsSLyOF
— Denise ‘Hollywood It Girl’ Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) June 25, 2022
Noteworthy Moment:
What I would call the wasted effort of removing participants, only to have them earn back spots is one. Been there, done that, but still.
Curious if WWE isn’t having Sonya hint that there’s concern about Adam Pearce’s abilities…like are we sowing the seeds for a change?
Or is WWE having art imitate life with “issues in the women’s division”?
Also…the Viking Raiders are back…and they are heels.
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Didn’t see that coming initially. Not sure how I feel, because I’ve enjoyed rooting for them…but we shall see.
Overall lowlights:
Overall…show seemed lacking good matches. Not enough of them.
Like, I felt like we had all of three matches this week.
Another week, another aborted Max Dupri client reveal…
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Overall highlights:
Sami is doing good work. Nakamura too.
Usos…Drew…Sheamus…you get the idea.
Pat McAfee too…challenging Baron Corbin at SummerSlam.
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
After the final bell:
Well, this show was only OK. Fortunately, this was not the go-home show.
Unfortunately, that go-home show is only a week away.
But, by then, John Cena will have returned…will he show up too? WWE has already promised us basically all the MITB match participants next Friday, so there should be some sparks flying.
