It’s another SmackDown in a Nutshell, and I will get right to the point…is this the biggest Tribute to the Troops ever?
Seriously, in years past I remember this being a pre-taped show, usually off at a military base, with some nice cameos and interaction with our hard working servicemen and women.
Not this year.
No, this year it is a live SmackDown featuring none other than CM Punk.
Now, I am being honest, my memory isn’t always superb and I am shooting off the cuff here, but I really mostly remember these tribute shows as being holiday programming filler.
But, on this edition, especially because we are getting Punk on FOX for the first time in a while…this is a big show indeed.
Now, with Seth Rollins his expected first feud…what on Earth is Punk going to do tonight?
I mean, it is a show all about making troops happy, and surely having the biggest surprise return in recent memory on the show would do that.
Beyond that…we shall see.
I mean, outside of a tribute and Punk, do we need anything else? OK, I kid, but sort of kind of…
Either way, the year is winding down, the Rumble is a little bit closer, and it is time for us to get into it.
SmackDown In A Nutshell: Biggest Tribute To The Troops Ever?
Let’s crack this one open and have some fun!
Best Match of the night:
For a match, I default to our main event.
LA Knight and Randy Orton against Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Nice match.
But, the main segment, best segment? No doubt, CM Punk in ring.
Honorable mention? All the backstage interactions he had that we got to see.
Worst match of the night:
I am drawing a blank.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Cody
CM Punk
RKO
Star of the Night
Purely for that promo, CM Punk.
In ring, I can say Orton and Knight for their win, and Randy looks good.
Spot of the Night:
Speaking of…can I give it to a mic drop? Wasn’t quite the good old pipe bomb, but I feel like Punk had a little more motivation to take some gloves off tonight.
I mean…maybe it was about Owens…or was it?
He certainly had more time…
Jobber of the Night:
Could I go Karrion Kross?
Like…we had heard buzz he’d finally get pushed…and then he loses to Lashley here…so…no push yet.
Not going to lie, he said he’d welcome a return to NXT, and I almost feel like having him head down to take a shot at that title wouldn’t be the worst thing.
Upset of the Night:
These Superstars are upset with Damage CTRL, and they aren’t going to take it anymore…
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
We’d heard that Punk and Reigns is eventually were going to be a thing…and man oh man, did Punk fire a big shot tonight.
“Don’t forget who the OG Paul Heyman guy is”
And he closed his powerful promo by saying he came back to finish what he started, and that means main event of WrestleMania.
For what it’s worth, this past RAW was absolutely a time when we miss the good old days of the lengthy over-run.
Botch of the night:
In ring? Randy went to punch Solo in the corner, except Sikoa wasn’t there.
Not sure if it was really a botch or not, but if it was they recovered perfectly fine.
Also, I know some will question Dragon Lee, hot Superstar, now losing two big matches cleanly, but I trust they have a plan.
Still, the logical move there (maybe too obvious?) was to have Dom cost Lee the match, and have Lee win tomorrow at Deadl1ne.
Commentary of the night:
Nothing, but we had a nice and unexpected cameo from JBL at the desk tonight.
LOL Moment of the night:
Remember the other night when it seemed like Punk was taking the high road without a comment about AEW?
Well…maybe he wasn’t going to be absolutely explicit…but the punching people in the back comment?
That had to be one million percent about AEW, no?
Noteworthy Moment:
I still do not love the re-done Cult of Personality. Mostly just so used to the original.
But…Punk’s latest shirt…hits hard.
The recently returned Superstar got to take a jab at having his return promo cut way short. Nick Aldis (and everyone) was smart to put him in at 9pm.
Punk even put over NXT as a possibility.
Overall lowlights:
There wasn’t enough time for the women’s match. But, there WAS a lot going on in the time they did have.
Nice to see some semblance of unity from the women’s babyfaces against Damage CTRL. Could it translate into some of them getting a bit more of a chance?
Overall highlights:
Punk and Rollins could make A LOT of money, couldn’t it?
Let them clash soon, then let things fester and maybe have a title on one and they headline a night of WrestleMania.
Maybe it’s 2024…maybe it’s 2025…but…it’s the main event we will be talking about.
After the final bell:
Eventful show, from top to bottom.
Nice effort for the Tribute to the Troops, and everyone in attendance certainly had a lot to enjoy.
Monday will be one to watch, with CM Punk promising to end his free agency. Next Friday gets interesting too, as Roman Reigns will grace us with his presence, likely for the last time this year.
