I case you didn’t know, WWE just achieved something they haven’t in several months: They strung together 3 consecutive great shows. Despite some of the results, Money in the Bank was a lot of fun to watch. With the return Braun Strowman and the Big Cass turn, the same can be said for RAW. And I’m pleased to say that SmackDown kept the rally going.
It’s amazing how quickly SmackDown’s 2 hours flies by and even the most enthralling episode of RAW still seems to crawl at 3 hours. That’s an entirely different discussion, but that shorter show length helps vet sub-par segments. This means that whatever makes it onto air for SmackDown is the good stuff.
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Up Next: 5 Things We Learned From Money in the Bank
With SummerSlam officially looming, WWE finds itself putting the pedal to the metal. We all benefit from this. And, frankly, we deserve it – we’ve hung in there since WrestleMania as WWE routinely pumped out poor shows. But now, the beast has awoken.
Last night’s SmackDown had several significant moments that allowed for some fun inferences to make. Let’s break down the 5 Biggest Moments From SmackDown:
Wait, is Big Getting a Solo Run?
Look, I’m guilty of over analyzing wrestling. But it’s kind of my job, so bare with me. At money in the bank, Big E got a lot of solo time. Using powerful suplexes and that horrifying out-of-the-ring spear Big E cleaned the ring of Usos several times.
Then he got singles match on SmackDown where his Big Ending got center stage.
Hm.
The Hype Bros are fighting The Usos next week for the right to challenge for the titles. If Mojo and Rawley win, then where does The New Day go? We can presume that SmackDown will role with Usos vs. Hype Bros for at least a month. This is the opening.
WWE can keep The New Day intact, but it’s time to unleash Big E. Stick him in the US Title scene and see how it works. He has to potential to be a more cuddly version of Brock Lesnar. Surely that can be monetized.
Baron Corbin as Mr. Money in the Bank Will be Forgettable
When Baron Corbin toppled AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura off of the ladder, costing them both the MITB briefcase, something happened.
Yes, Corbin made his climb and became Mr. Money in the Bank, but there was the moment before the moment. After being teased by the tantalizing premise ofย Styles vs. Nakamura, we got an ice-cold bait and switch.
What doesn’t help is who Corbin is chasing. Jinderย Mahal is a transistional champion. After he loses the WWEย Championship, he’ll never get it back. So to think thatย Corbin is pursuing a guy who will be an answer to obscure trivia can’t help his status going forward.ย
While being Mr. Money in the Bank inherently elevates Corbin, the question begs – is the air at the top of the mountain too thin for the Lone Wolf?
Just Kidding, Guys!
Daniel Bryan returned last night and he came ready to flex. By show’s end he had stripped Carmella and James Ellsworth of their MITB briefcase and set up a re-do for next week,
Who needs the WWE Network when we get ladder matches on SmackDown?
It’s a little surprising WWE is gong to go backward, here. Odds are Carmella wins again, but Becky Lynch cut one hell of a promo last night and it isn’t hard imagining her striking a victorious pose on top of a ladder.
Then again, if WWE is feeling froggy, they could have Ellsworth win again.
More Randy and Jinder?
I’m not sure if this is good or not. I know I want to see more of Randy Orton punishing the Singh Brothers, but more of Randy and Jinder?
Eh.
It could be good. Their matches themselves have been damn near great. But how do they increase appeal for said matches? Feeling the clutches of fan apathy WWE has the answer. As of today, rumors have the third and final installment of Jinder vs. Orton will take place in a Punjabi Pit match.
When in doubt, just get bigger. This should be fun. But I’ll be glad when it’s over.
Shinsuke Nakamura’s Magnum Opus
As WWE heats up, so does Shinsuke Nakamura. Just last week, fans were already groaning about to possible misusage of Nakamura. And to their credit, their trepidation was justified. WWE was treating The King of Strong Style like any other wrestler. In a just a few months, Nakamura was trending towards overexposure.
But that’s all come to an end.
With his electric booking and performance from Money in the Bank,ย Nakamura officially had momentum. He built on that last night with an epic match against Dolph Ziggler.
The point is, that Shinsuke should never do anything pedestrian – ย he should always be an outlier. If he fights on SmackDown, make it a tremendous match. No more 6 man tags. No more poorly constructed promos. Treat him like Elvis.
