Simple point about this week’s SmackDown In A Nutshell…we are going from Louisiana to London.
The blue brand is occupying the CajunDome this Friday, and the roster flies across the pond for next week’s show, and a little PLE called…Money In The Bank.
So, before we go from Louisiana to London, we’ve got to enjoy this week’s show.
The big stuff? Well, The Bloodline as we knew it imploded last week…so there’s bound to be some fallout still.
The NXT Women’s tag champs are battling the WWE Women’s tag champs in a unification match.
And, given that Money In The Bank is just over a week away…we can expect hype for that, too.
So with that out of the way, it is time to get…
From Louisiana To London : SmackDown In A Nutshell
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see how things go!
Best Match of the night:
A few choices.
LA Knight and Rey Mysterio. Knight treated like the heel via the booking, but WWE will eventually (hopefully) realize he’s getting face pops and go that way.
Then, I could go with the Street Profits and Pretty Deadly. While I love the idea of DIY taking titles off of KO and Sami…I would not hate a Pretty Deadly win in London either.
Last, but not least…Sheamus and Solo. It was, as the Brawling Brutes would say, a banger. Ending protected all involved as it broke down into a train wreck.
Worst match of the night:
The tag unification match.
Look, I understand that allegedly the plan was only to ever have one set of women’s tag titles…
Doesn’t mean I have to like this one. I would have rather kept the tag titles down in NXT, though most of their teams did get drafted.
Best part of the match happened after the pin.
Strong consideration also given to Charlotte and Lacey Evans. Like, if you want Lacey to be relevant, she needs that kind of win.
And if she can’t pin Charlotte now due to MITB…then don’t use her against Charlotte then and there.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
No chants, but unless it was all piped in, was a strong crowd.
Star of the Night
I kind of feel like this goes to Pretty Deadly and Grayson Waller. Mostly Pretty Deadly.
Plus…LA Knight. YEAH!
Spot of the Night:
Leaving this one right here…
Jobber of the Night:
In a match? Lacey Evans.
Otherwise, Ridge the Fridge, eating the Samoan spike in the back.
Upset of the Night:
If the rumors of the show’s plans getting “Vinced” are true, we might have some upset talent.
This didn’t come off as a horrible show, but the two women’s matches left a lot to be desired, in my humble and generally meaningless opinion.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
I don’t know about you guys, but I remember writing that Liv Morgan was going to be out quite a while.
She looked pretty good less than 8 weeks after the shoulder injury. Glad she’s back, hope it spells the end of the current boring tag champs.
Botch of the night:
Solo had one.
I think WWE botched the women’s tag title move too.
Could Tag Champs Break Up Soon?
LOL Moment of the night:
Pretty Deadly being pretty arrogant claiming to be the iron men of WWE as they outlasted “five other tag teams last week”.
Glossing over the fact that they were the last team into the gauntlet and squeaked one out…but it’s what heels do.
Noteworthy Moment:
Kind of already used it but…Liv Morgan has returned.
Overall lowlights:
Do I get to harp on the women’s booking again? I do, because this is my piece.
I am sure we will eventually find out which parts Vince did or didn’t slice up…but I am going to guess he had hands all over these matches.
Rousey has been underwhelming in almost every match since she arrived, this one was no different, and the heels should not have won.
And Lacey Evans, with the heat and all, should have not lost clean to Flair…or, not been in that spot.
Overall highlights:
The Usos are hot, and the Bloodline Civil War next Saturday might just be insane. I expect blood and violence and just pure insanity, and I don’t think that is being too over the top.
LA Knight and Rey had a good match, and it was a win Knight needed.
I personally don’t like the Waller show, but it’s getting him on TV each week and he’s good at it.
After the final bell:
Effective show once again, even if some of it got changed at the last minute.
This was the last blue brand show stateside until July. When we return, we will have new Mr and Mrs Money In The Bank…or we will have had a cash in or two.
Next stop…London!
