It’s another SmackDown in a Nutshell, and this time around we go from Crown Jewel to Ohio.
And, in case you weren’t sure…two weeks from tomorrow (November 11th if you don’t read this late on a Friday)…we get Survivor Series.
We have already learned of at least part of the teams involved in WarGames, though there may be a couple more surprises there.
Will SmackDown have their own WarGames match? That remains to be seen.
What we can surely see is some set up for a few different matches when we hit Chicago.
Some might even lend themselves to a traditional Survivor Series tag format.
With just a couple weeks left to go, the setup will be fast and furious, so let’s not waste another second!
It’s time for us to go…
From Crown Jewel To Ohio : SmackDown In A Nutshell
Lets crack this one open and enjoy!
Best Match of the night:
From a purely match perspective? I think I am taking Dragon Lee versus Cedric Alexander.
The two matches they’ve had have been exceptionally enjoyable, and they leave me wondering if we don’t need to see WWE bring back a cruiserweight or light heavyweight type of title.
Worst match of the night:
Tough call…but I am going to give my choice and explain later on.
That being…the six woman tag match.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Nothing specifically stood out.
Star of the Night
Dragon Lee? Why not.
Kevin Owens on commentary? Even though he may now be suspended…
Yes, please.
Spot of the Night:
That finisher by Dragon Lee was nothing short of awesome.
Jobber of the Night:
Maybe not from a wrestling perspective, but…
On the mic, LA Knight abused Grayson Waller.
Upset of the Night:
Well, the LWO is upset at Santos…and vice versa.
And then, Charlotte and Bianca (and maybe a tiny bit of Shotzi) probably are a bit tweaked at Asuka.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Well, it was set up at Crown Jewel…and it’s been sort of expected for a bit…but we finally got it.
Santos Escobar was called out by Carlito for the brass knuckles.
And then…Escobar turned on Rey and the LWO.
Botch of the night:
I don’t think this was a botch…but this one looked scary…
And, while this one isn’t a botch in the ring, per se…
I think WWE made a mistake opening and closing the show with a turn.
We basically kicked things off getting the heel turn for Santos, and wrapped it up with a turn for Asuka.
I mean, I get it, it happens…but I feel like the second turn fell flat and perhaps it was because of the first one already happening.
Like, that second turn? Could have teased it out until the night before Survivor Series, or even at the PLE itself.
Commentary of the night:
Congrats to Graves, but let’s be honest…Kevin Owens on commentary was fun.
Even if he had some restrictions…
And…I was not alone in that thinking…though this one took it to a new level!
LOL Moment of the night:
Owens, taunting Waller after he got doused with water…yep, it was funny.
But I think the best? Asuka tearing into IYO and Kairi, and Bianca standing next to her pointing at the Empress of Tomorrow saying “what she said”.
Noteworthy Moment:
I could have put this in the holy bleep section too, but we got a second turn for the evening, with the sometimes face sometimes heel Asuka joining Damage CTRL, and the group surprisingly, for now, keeping Bayley.
Yes, I was a bit convinced that when the newly bigger group asked Bayley to hug it out mid-ring in the main event, that we were going to see them attack Bayley too.
Not yet. But you have to think it’s coming, no?
Overall lowlights:
See my botch…I don’t hate the turns. I hate that both happened on the same show.
Honestly felt like one robbed the other.
Or, had WWE set up a Team Damage CTRL versus Team Bianca match at Survivor Series (WarGames or not), have Asuka turn either the night before or at the event itself.
In that case, I think the turn feels much bigger.
Overall highlights:
Excited to see what is next for Santos, because as mostly a heel in NXT, he was pretty dominant.
Also curious to see where the LWO goes, considering most of the group were formerly part of Santos’ group…
Dragon Lee can work, and Cedric isn’t far behind.
LA Knight isn’t done yet, and he had fun with Grayson tonight. Tell me we won’t see LA and KO against Theory and Waller?
No matter how I feel about the turns? Good to have Kairi Sane back.
After the final bell:
Some of it felt a little forced or rushed, and I partly blame that on the rather short turnaround between now and Survivor Series.
Still a good show. Buckle up for the next couple weeks!
