Simple theme for this week’s SmackDown In A Nutshell…we have a big blue battle in Carolina.
Several big blue battles, actually. It’s going to be a busy night in the Tarheel State.
There will be a four way clash to start identifying who faces Austin Theory for the United States Championship.
Plus, Bianca Belair is in Flair Country…and so is Charlotte…and probably Asuka.
That one seems destined to boil over at SummerSlam.
Speaking of boiling, we can’t forget the Bloodline. Things went crazy last week, and now Jey is gunning for Roman at SummerSlam.
See…lots going on, and that biggest part of the summer? It’s getting closer and closer…
So let’s get into…
Big Blue Battle In Carolina : SmackDown In A Nutshell
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see how things go!
Best Match of the night:
The United States title #1 contender fatal four way tourney thing.
Yeah, it’s a mouthful, but this was good.
The women’s title match was good too. Maybe not quite main event level, but good.
And…tell me that Bayley won’t cost IYO her cash-in…
Worst match of the night:
I didn’t finish watching this show thinking of a bad match.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
No chants to call out (there were some, just not singling out). It was a good crowd though.
Star of the Night
He worked what, two minutes? LA Knight was wicked over.
He has to be the favorite in the 2nd of 2 #1 contender fatal four way matches to take out Theory.
And if this is leading to a title change and a Knight run…sign us all up.
Spot of the Night:
Sunset flip triple power bomb off the ropes. As Michael Cole put it.
Nice move by Escobar, Butch, Grayson Waller and AJ Styles.
Jobber of the Night:
Gallows, Anderson and Michin Mia Yim got taken out backstage by Kross and Scarlett.
Well, we only saw Mr. Anderson, I think, actually taking any abuse…but you know what I mean.
Upset of the Night:
Pretty Deadly getting the win over the Brutes may be a slight one…barely.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Maybe what we got out of Karrion Kross in the back is a darker turn for him once again.
Makes up just a bit for him basically jobbing last week…well…it’s a start.
After missing last week, LA Knight is back, and what a reception.
Also…where’s this one going…
Sneaky good? Shotzi’s segment.
I loved her hair, but if shaving it gets her into a bit of a push? Yes please.
Officially though, there is a very real, and very touching reason why she shaved her head.
Botch of the night:
Do not put Austin Theory back on commentary. He added NOTHING to the US title contender match, and was just a wet blanket.
Also this…yes…100% this. How do you do this!?
Commentary of the night:
Noteworthy Moment:
Roman will be back next week, with the show on FS1 (Women’s FIFA World Cup).
He’s back to discuss the “Rules of Engagement” for he and cousin Jey. Why do I feel like that match is screaming for Hell In A Cell?
Grayson Waller calling out The Rock? Really?
Worth pointing out, with Hollywood effectively shut down, both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cena seem to suddenly have open schedules.
Overall lowlights:
Austin Theory on commentary.
I honestly feel like he needs to drop the belt and work on things a bit. The whole chosen one thing was a bad idea, and between that and being shoved into the 2022 MITB…knock him down and rebuild him.
Overall highlights:
Jey, Solo and Heyman. Strong effort all around, and while I suspect Jey is not winning in Detroit…I would love it and totally buy in.
LA Knight…it’s time.
I don’t know why, but this feels like maybe something finally clicking for Kross?
Love the promo from Shotzi. Loved it even more when it was revealed why she actually cut her hair.
After the final bell:
Really good show. Quite often now, I feel like I finish watching a SmackDown wishing we had a little more time.
Of course, if they spent less on replaying the bulk of last week’s Bloodline issues, they’d have some…
I am going to leave you with one thought:
The men’s and women’s briefcase winners have the ability to cash-in on any champion for a year. Would we ever see a woman tease a cash in on a men’s champion?
Forgive me if that has been done, but if it has, I don’t recall it. Could be a nod to Chyna, and would be interesting.
That’s my random thought for the night…
Otherwise, the big blue battle in Carolina on WWE SmackDown was quite fun!
