5 Things We Learned From SmackDown Last Night
Last night, WWE served up another solid episode of SmackDownThe Blue Brand is such an easier show [...]
Did Kevin Owens Just Become "Saved?"
First off, Kevin Owens in a tie works. Even though the "Guy From Gold's Gym" cutt-off shirt and basketball shorts wearing wrestler made him identifiable, it may be time for Owens to evolve.
In a tie, Owens looks more credible - not as a wrestler, but as a hateable person. This matters.
So last night while adorning his Men's Warehouse costume, Owens did a wonderful job of looking delusional. He really thinks his head butt on Vince McMahon was agreeable behavior. He really thinks that Shane is wrong. Kevin Owens really thinks he is right. The best villains honestly believe they're good guys, so when KO said with a straight face, that he's going to heaven, we all fond out how twisted he actually is.
prevnext"People like me don't go to hell. No, no, people like me...go to HEAVEN!" - @FightOwensFight #SDLive pic.twitter.com/vXRJZ5M1LH
— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2017
Charlotte and Natalya Will be Great
For those that don't know, Charlotte and Natalya have already torn down the house once. A few years back, Natalya effectively made Charlotte by executing a wonderful match that saw The Queen win her first title in WWE.
Now, these 2 Superstars find themselves in a similar situation. However, it's not Charlotte that needs to be crystallized on this occasion. It's women's wrestling.
While the story leading up to Hell in a Cell will likely be just OK, it's the match that could catapult women's wrestling into a new stratosphere. 2017 has been a wonderful year for the ladies of WWE, however, it lacks a seminal match where we as fans can look back and say: that was great.
Charlotte and Natalya may be our best chance to get the that moment.
prevnextRusev is Good at His Job
Rusev is one of the most underrated personalities in WWE. His facial expressions are unmatched, as his comedic timing. Given his real sports background and natural ability for humor, Rusev is all too reminiscent of a young Kurt Angle.
Please give us more interactions between @ReneeYoungWWE and ELATED @RusevBUL. pic.twitter.com/ZZCjDRYzTd
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) September 20, 2017
That said, will he ever be more than a mid-card speed bump? All signs point to him losing this prospective feud with Randy Orton. This is yet another example of WWE pitting two Superstars against each other despite both of them desperately needing wins (same goes for Bray and Balor).
Rusev has potential to be great. Let's hope WWE finds a way to harvest it.
prevnextSmackDown's 3rd Tag Team
With the New Day and Usos, SmackDown already has a better tag team division than RAW. Even though Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose are fun, they don't have anyone to fight that we care about. This matters.
However, the days of WWE being able to lean on The New Day and the Uso are rapidly approaching their end. Rumors have their match at Hell in Cell being a final chapter in their rivalry. That said, WWE will need to find a 3rd compelling tag team.
Right now the front-runners for that 3rd party are Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley.
Just a week ago it looked like they were destined to break up, but now they may be doubling down. Both men agreed to "do something" about their current slump.
"If we want things to change, we might have to do something drastic." - @MojoRawleyWWE #SDLive @ZackRyder pic.twitter.com/QqlZ4pbydU
— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2017
Who knows what actions they'll be taking but these two are compelling. Ryder has shown that he can make the WWE Universe care about him, and Mojo has a certain charisma that can at least keep fans interested.
Let's hope they figure it out.
prevnextJinder's Racy Promo
While the world flocks to condemn Jinder Mahal and WWE for exploiting stereotypes on live television - let's take a breath.
We must remember, WWE is a production. While the actors may look like NFL linebackers, they are actually closer to being Broadway cast members. Since they are playing a role, the same level of social decency should not be expected of them as your neighbor or co-worker. Mahal is playing a bad guy. And he's doing it well.
The WWE Champion made multiple derogatory references to Japanese and Asian stereotypes. Mahal joked about Nakamura's Japanese accent, his dog and dolphin diet, and his nickname "Mr. Miyagi."
The contentious promo had the Oakland crowd in a frenzy. Mahal got booed, Na-ka-mu-ra chants were ignited, and for the first time ever a "That's too far" chorus rang out amongst a WWE audience.
There is no question that Mahal said some highly ignorant things tonight.
But that, wrestling fans, was the point.
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