Read on for my thoughts on last night's Smackdown and 205 Live.
-- Smackdown:
- Rosey graphic:
I hope 3 Minute Warning is getting reunion gigs in Heaven right now. Neither man was all that old at passing - there are older men still actively wrestling.
- Charlotte/Naomi/Shane:
Charlotte might be better in smaller doses after so. many. title matches on Raw. That said, it's good to see the women's division starting the show.
I like the idea of someone who's been very successful on Raw facing someone who's getting a push on Smackdown. At some point we'll presumably see Charlotte vs. Alexa, which will mean a lot more since they've been apart from each other. Charlotte vs. Becky is fresh again, too.
I like Naomi taking charge and not being overshadowed by the decorated 2nd-generation star.
Hopefully Naomi doesn't look less strong than Charlotte.
- Natalya/Shane/Carmellsworth/Tamina:
Natalya's done a pretty good job of staying fresh and relevant after this many feuds.
I'm really liking Ellsworth. He's got something new to do beyond be that guy with no chin who gets his ass kicked.
Hmmmm.... intrigue begins.
- Zayn vs. Harper vs. Ziggler vs. Mojo vs. Rowan vs. Jinder:
Talk about a crazy combination of wrestlers. Someone's been looking at ROH's booking lately.
I do like that the WWE Title is important enough for all these men to fight over it. ROH will book a multi-man match with nothing at stake.
This is pretty fun so far. Luke could really be someone to keep an eye on going forward.
Superplexes are on special this week.
This isn't bad for such a strange combination of stars.
What's the ceiling for Mojo? I'd be surprised to see him get past U.S./IC title level. I'd love to be wrong, though. He could still have many years ahead of him.
The suicide dive needs to be put to bed for a few months. It doesn't mean anything anymore because several of them are done on every single wrestling show.
I wonder how Rowan feels about essentially being one-upped by Braun Strowman. I hope we still see some good hossery from Erick.
I'd be OK with a Mojo/Ziggler feud. It could be good for Rawley.
I'm liking this action.
The Zig Zag might be the worst finisher in the business, at least or someone we're supposed to take seriously.Yes, worse than the Rear View.
NICE Fameasser counter.
Zayn can fly with the best of them.
I did NOT expect to see those two show up on the main roster this soon after the reports they were demoted from 205 Live so they could get more work in.
- Jinder/Orton/Bray:
Can't say I expected Jinder to be in this position. I guess it makes sense to focus on someone new, but shouldn't Zayn or one of the former Wyatts get that honor first?
Ha. I expect Orton to hit RKOs on all three Indians.
I really hope we're in for something crazy in the House of Horrors. With Taker retiring and Kane MIA, we need some more spooky in WWE.
- AJ/Corbin:
That was pretty good. Pre-WM33 Raw would have had AJ come in Stephanie's office for her to berate him before putting him in a match with Baron, then blaming it all on Mick Foley. This just used the non-wrestler to set up the wrestlers putting themselves in action.
- Charlotte/other Smackdown women:
It only took seven days for Charlotte to alienate the entire division AND James Ellsworth! That's pretty impressive.
- Charlotte vs. Naomi:
Good action early.
Charlotte's definitely top female star material, and Naomi's a pretty solid worker these days, too.
I like Naomi's kicks.
Charlotte always puts forth good strategy.
Both performers are putting on a good show.
NICE ending from a physical perspective. I am surprised Charlotte got the clean win, though. They'll have to be careful to prevent Naomi from being an unlikely future champion.
- S. Stars vs. A. Alpha:
We're in for some real rage if Primo and Epico go over clean here.
The Stars aren't bad. I've just seen them so much over the years I'm ready for some new faces to be showcased.
I love the action from the faces.
Ehhhh. Not bad. They protected the former champs well enough.
- Lana video:
So they're finally going to do something new with her after the NXT live event tryouts.
- Tye video:
That was pretty good. Dillinger's a pretty likeable guy overall.
- Owens vs. Gandy:
Nice to build up a man who was once a threat to John Cena.
- Owens promo:
"Guy who's not American burying the U.S. while U.S. Champion" is pretty cliche. Kevin can do so much more!
- AJ vs. Corbin:
I'm liking this so far.
Good combination of workers here.
Baron does what he does well, and AJ can bring out the best in anyone.
Styles is finally on top of the world after ROH and Impact.
Both men are pretty good. Styles is a really refined competitor at this point.
HAHAHAH nice back body drop spot.
That was a good ending. I wouldn't mind Corbin being in the mix for the title, too.
-- 205 Live:
- Tozawa vs. Nese:
I like the simple stories here. It's OK to have some action that's pretty basic heel vs. babyface stuff.
Fine action so far.
Both men are very good, which makes the combination of styles all that more enjoyable.
I was wondering when we'd see The Man With The Plan!
Tozawa can go. I'm glad he's not being squashed by Braun on Raw (as much fun as that would be in its own way).
Nese plays a good heel.
Not bad to continue Akira's push.
- Post-match:
Interesting. Did Akira get Nese to help him out or is this just a fortunate circumstance?
- Swann/Noam/Alicia:
Man, Rich. Why are you going after a girl in a relationship?
Hahah Noam's deadpan snark kills me.
Wow, really? Alicia has really bounced around since 205 Live got started. How does Cedric feel? Hell, where IS Cedric?
Alicia might have set a record for female heel/face turns.
Watch Alicia turn on Naom, too. I'm hoping for some crazy swerve where she ends up with Corey Graves or something.
EVERYONE'S WORKING EVERYONE!!!!
Wild ride for Alicia.
- Ariya arrives:
Wow, Ariya. The taping started hours ago, bro. Where have you been???
- Mustafa vs. Ariya:
Fine enough work for a match that doesn't really mean much.
They're making the most of their ring time. Both men are working hard.
If these two keep working hard, maybe one day they'll have the honor of having the wave or a beachball during their match.
Haha. Gulak's pretty fun in his role.
- Gulak interview:
I want to see Gulak do a challenge with his particular style. Catch Point rules or whatever.
- TJP vs. Aries:
I love douchebag TJ. He's such a believable dick.
Hahahaha that's how more people should respond to the "roll out of the ring" trick.
Both men are really solid.
I'm liking this a lot.
This is a lot of fun to watch.
GOOOODDDDDD Perkins is such a dick!!!
I'm loving every bit of this.
TJP smelled blood when he went for the kneebar. Love it.
Can this go all night???
This is one hell of a main event.
LOVE the continuity of Aries not being able to use his leg in the submission move. Unfortunately that will probably cost them a * or two. "Good" matches are just supposed to be constant spots.
A lot of fun. One hell of a fight, and Perkins didn't look bad in defeat.
- Post-match:
Neville going for the leg was good. So glad to see some selling in wrestling.
That was beautiful. I really like the combination of Perkins and Neville.
More wrestling coming up.
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