This SmackDown In A Nutshell has a funny theme…not everyone went to India.
Like I said, funny, but also simple and true.
Earlier today WWE held Superstar Spectacle in Hyderabad, India.
It was a big show tapping into a massive market.
WWE flew in quite a few big Superstars, though some could not make it.
Sure, some like Seth Rollins work Mondays.
But, others-like John Cena-are calling the blue brand home.
So the nice thing here? Where with some international shows we wind up with a taped SmackDown…that is not the case tonight.
Because…
Not Everyone Went To India : SmackDown In A Nutshell
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and enjoy those who wound up in Boston!
Best Match of the night:
Jimmy Uso versus AJ Styles.
Good match, with AJ getting a bit of a surprise win…but then getting beaten down by not just Solo, but also the Judgement Day.
Surprisingly, Gallows and Anderson adhered to Styles’ pre-match venting about their distracted mindset and not wanting them involved.
Lots going on, lots to like.
Worst match of the night:
I have no complaints tonight, to be fair.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Man that crowd was hot for Dom…
Star of the Night
I mean, LA Knight, even not in a main event spot, continues to cook.
Spot of the Night:
Not a big power move, but I kind of dig how Asuka snuck up on Dakota Kai and briefly stole back her lost title.
Confused, perhaps, because I felt like Asuka was trending toward a heel…but that can all change on a dime anyways.
Jobber of the Night:
Nothing fits tonight, I don’t think.
Upset of the Night:
AJ might be upset that he told his friends to not get involved.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Ridge, cutting a promo on the Judgement Day, about how he’s made a career of hurting people (I am paraphrasing there).
Wasn’t exactly worded like that…but given what he really has done to Big E…maybe not the best line for him to use?
It was probably more a line of what he did to one half of Pretty Deadly (who showed up on TV tonight too)…but still.
Seemed in poor taste…but maybe Big E cleared it?
Botch of the night:
Just being honest, but Damien Priest tripped on his promo.
He knew it. Anyone paying attention did too.
Did he work through it? Sure.
But, if I am being overly analytical, it’s the one weakness in his game, even now. Not a constant thing, but it’s the one part of his skillset that could use a boost.
Or, you know, a mouthpiece.
LOL Moment of the night:
LA Knight interrupting Heyman.
Heyman doing his best impersonation.
But…after telling the rising Superstar to not interrupt him again…Knight didn’t seem too concerned.
Noteworthy Moment:
Now, I mentioned I was confused before…
Well…we’ve heard how Lashley and the Street Profits are listed internally as heels, right?
They came out to confront Judgement Day…also heels. But, so far, Lashley and the Profits have been getting more face responses.
Meaning either WWE will have to pivot, or the newly revealed trio is going to have to do something really wicked to make sure we know where they stand.
Something interesting…early on, Paul told Jimmy that Solo was not in the house. But…we saw him by the end of the show.
Was that a test for Jimmy? Perhaps..
Overall lowlights:
Considering how little we’ve seen of them, it’s sort of a bummer that the most TV time for the Good Brothers in ages is us seeing them get yelled at by AJ. Unless…could this be a spark?
Overall highlights:
Jimmy saves Paul…Paul calls Roman…Bloodline not dead yet?
Judgement Day laying claim to run the place…but Lashley’s new Hurt Business says not so fast.
AJ is tired of the goofy Good Brothers…could we see them wake up and make their own play?
After the final bell:
A lot of little things going on tonight, all part of the bigger puzzle, and I mostly dig it.
Not quite sure that the main event was all main event worthy, but the fact it went where it did makes me think perhaps we are going to see a big tag match soon…like…maybe a 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 at a big PLE…
I mean…Judgement Day + Bloodline versus…OC and…Lashley’s Suit Profits?
Probably not…but…there’s more to this, I am sure.
