Levin’s SmackDown Live Review

The one thing WWE did that had me excited about Tuesday night’s SmackDown Live show was, it left plenty of doors open after a successful SummerSlam event from Sunday. Surely there is enough drama to fill two hours and build toward Hell in a Cell.

Just a disclaimer for this opinion piece, I missed the first 25 minutes of the show because Comcast sucks. With that said, I got to see Jeff Hardy finally exact some revenge on Randy Orton, which we all know is a Hell in a Cell match ready to happen. The smile on Hardy’s face after driving The Viper through a table was as cool and sadistic I have seen out of the Charismatic Enigma.

I guess I tuned in at the right time. And yes, I know I missed the beginning vignette with The Miz and Daniel Bryan. I would be thrilled if WWE decided to dedicate every SmackDown Live show from now until the end of the year with some kind of match, confrontation, jab or some kind of savagery. But honestly, the mixed tag match between Bryan and Brie Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse shouldn’t be part of Hell in a Cell.

That’s my public service announcement for the evening. Here are a few things we learned…

The Bar vs. Gallows and Anderson

I could get behind a match like that since WWE has done little to promote the former Bullet Club members. The Bar has fallen from grace, which is a shame because they remind me of a solid old NWA tag team.

Naomi vs. Peyton Royce

Let’s be honest – this does nothing for me. WWE must decide how it will balance the women’s division on SmackDown Live now that Becky Lynch has turned on Charlotte Flair. Shocking that Royce got the win. Yes, Corey Graves was right. It was massive.

Becky Speaks

There is something about a mad redhead that makes me pay attention. Especially on SmackDown Live

“It was supposed to be my time,” she told the crowd in Brooklyn.

The fans are fully behind the heel turn, but like a true villain, Lynch turned on the fan base. This is a role she should relish and excel at. Charlotte Flair had held her back. It’s a diatribe that worth listening to. Then Flair’s music hits.

This was as good a confrontation as we have seen in some time, with the locker room coming to the ring.

Rusev and Lana vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas and Zelina Vega

The problem with this is WWE clearly has no idea what to do with either of the men in this match and is focusing on the face they two hot women by their sides. This should be a singles match with meaning.

News flash – it’s not. For a performer who a few short months ago was challenging for the WWE Title, this is a far come down. Rusev and Lana win, with the help of Aiden English.

Yes, you read this right.

A.J. Styles Tells All… Sort of

“SummerSlam didn’t end the way I wanted it to,” Styles told Renee Young and the fans in Brooklyn.

This has become personal. Joe attacks Styles. It’s a solid storyline that goes deeper than anything fans have seen on the independent circuit or in TNA.

I cannot wait for Round 2.

The New Day vs. Bludgeon Brothers

For some reason, I appreciate this kind of match. Maybe it’s because I loved the Wild Samoans as a youngster. Maybe it’s because this is the most dominant tag team we have seen in ages. Whatever the reason, I loved the carnage and the David vs. Goliath storyline.

The New Day wins.