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Levin’s SmackDown Live Review (10/9/18)

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Maybe the best thing about SmackDown Live is the fact there is no wasted motion. Everything balances. It’s the better product on television. The matches and storylines are more compelling. And most of all, I find myself gravitating toward the better product.

Tuesday night opened with a return match from Super Show-Down between Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch that once again did not disappoint. It’s how the blue brand tells a story, using its entire roster and using programs that keep us from getting off our seat.

There is nothing better on television. A while ago in a “Ride Along” spot, Flair and her father Ric were talking about which was Flair’s best opponent. He didn’t hesitate in saying Ricky Steamboat. For some time, it was thought Sasha Banks was Charlotte’s version of Steamboat, but there is no comparison.

Charlotte and Becky tear down the house every time they get in the ring. I am reminded of feuds of the past, where each performer gave everything they had. This spot and the current story tells us everything we need to know about the women’s division.

There are Charlotte and Becky. And then, there is everyone else.

Starting Tuesday night off with this match proves why Tuesday nights are better than Mondays – by a longshot. It’s only right these two wrestled to a double count out.

Flair and Lynch face each other one more time in a Last Woman Standing Match at Evolution.

Here are other thoughts on another solid night of wrestling television…

Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy

This was a qualifying match for the Crown Jewel pay-per-view in Saudi Arabia. Joe did not walk out of the Super Show-Down with the WWE Title. I’m curious how the company builds Joe back up to be the mega heel he became in the feud with A.J. Styles.

Hardy comes back from his vicious feud with Randy Orton.

This was the first time these two met each other in WWE. In the end, Hardy qualifies for Crown Jewel when Joe is unable to finish the match. Hardy joins John Cena and Kurt Angle in the tournament.

Randy Orton Vignette

I love how WWE from time to time takes a step back in time and works a solid vignette like the old days of the NWA. Orton is at his best 16 years into his career.

Miz TV… A.J. Styles confronts Daniel Bryan

Fresh off his win at Super Show-Down over The Miz where he earned the right to face A.J. Styles for the WWE Title, Daniel Bryan gets in the ring with both men.

Can I tell you how pissed I am at how The Miz lost on Saturday? Bryan and Styles is an instant classic, but how does WWE make up for The Miz not being part of the title picture once again? Obviously, money talks.

Oh, and I might have a man-crush on The Miz.

Styles has been WWE Champion for 336 days now, if you are counting at home. There are few who have been this good for this long. Having Bryan finally get another shot at the strap is a good thing for the challenger and WWE. It’s one of those dream matches that should live up to the hype.
Oh, and few can pull off a red suit like The Miz did last night.
Styles said this match will stay in the ring – unlike the feud with Samoa Joe. Bryan said he wants to be a worthy opponent, throwing shade at The Miz. Bryan said he still has a lot to prove. Deep down he knows he can beat Styles. The “two-minute” man joke is fantastic.

Then it got real. After a few contentious moments, The Miz lights up the screen. It was AWESOME. And after Crown Jewel. He’s got next.

Then Styles takes on Shelton Benjamin

Someone give Benjamin a main event shot.

Injuries have curtailed his work upon his return to WWE, but when he is on, he is as good as anyone on the blue roster. Styles wins but it was entertaining.

Happy Aiden Day… Not!

I think I am more shocked how Aiden English has become relevant. Welcome to “One Night in Milwaukee”.

And of course … there is more to the tape. English says he will destroy the tape if Rusev kicks Lana to the curb and reunites Rusev Day. And how awful an angle this is.

Let’s move on, please.

Randy Orton and Randy Orton

Remind me sometime to share my story of interviewing Big Show in Florence, SC. He is truly one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

The sadistic Orton and the motivated Big Show. He looks to be in the best shape of his life. The second qualifying match for the World Cup Tournament.

Admittedly, I thought this would be a snoozer, but it was better than I thought. The big man was aggressive  but was thwarted evert time he looked to be in control. RKO and it’s over.

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Opinion

Chris King: The Wyatt Sicks’ Wasted Potential By WWE

Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.

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Wyatt Sicks WWE

Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.

It’s that time of the year again, folks; it’s unfortunate and downright awful that so many WWE superstars got released today. I’m not going to list all of them, but I am going to talk about one of my favorite factions, 

The Wyatt Sicks. Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Erik Rowan, and Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) were something special. After Bo’s brother Bray Wyatt’s tragic passing, WWE felt like there was a hole that needed to be filled. Wyatt was one of the most creative and brilliant characters, and Bo would be taking over his brother’s concept and bringing it to life. In 2024, at the end of an incredible documentary highlighting Wyatt’s career and struggles, Bo appeared on the screen portrayed as Uncle Howdy. The last time Uncle Howdy was seen on-screen was at the 2023 Royal Rumble, where Wyatt defeated LA Knight in a Pitch Black Match. Howdy jumped off a structure onto Knight. 

This post-credit scene sparked so much speculation and excitement that Wyatt’s brother would carry on his legacy and possibly debut the faction that was Wyatt’s concept. On the June 17th episode of Monday Night Raw, The Wyatt Sicks made their dramatic debut ,destroying the backstage area as well as “murdering” Chad Gable. It was such an iconic arrival for Howdy as he made his menacing walk from the back into the audience who were chanting “Holy Shit.” The Sicks and American Made (Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers) battled for months, with The Sicks being victorious. On the September 9th episode of Raw, The Sicks defeated them, with Howdy getting the win with Sister Abigail. 

The following year, The Sicks would move over to Friday Night SmackDown, and it seemed like WWE had a plan in place. They would win the tag team championships from The Street Profits and start to look dominant. Now, what should have happened next is Howdy should have won the United States title. The Sicks could have held all the gold over on the blue brand, but it never happened. The Sicks entered into a never-ending feud with The MFT’s (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga.) It started off exciting, and the WWE Universe was red-hot for their interactions. 

After months of repetitive matches and The MFT’s stealing their lantern, the feud grew tiresome and boring. Even Tama asked Solo why they are still holding onto the lantern, as it was destroying them as a whole. Finally on the SmackDown before Mania, Tama

gave the lantern back to Howdy against Solo’s wishes. Please explain to me why both factions fought almost every single week instead of just having one final blowoff match at WrestleMania. 

It should have been either a massive street fight or a falls count anywhere match on the grandest stage of them all. Instead, it turned into a meaningless week-after-week extravaganza that benefited no one. The MFTs won the rivalry, and The Sicks don’t even work for WWE anymore. This was the same criminalized creative process that Wyatt dealt with during his first run in the company. 

We’ll never know how much of a dangerous force The Wyatt Sicks could have been in the WWE. For all their careers’ sake, I hope they stay far away from the company for as long as possible. Every superstar that was cut deserves better!

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Opinion

Chris King: Bloodline Saga: Is This the Right Call For WWE?

Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns 

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WWE Jacob Fatu Roman Reigns Backlash

Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is once again World Heavyweight Champion after his dominant win over CM Punk at WrestleMania 42. On the following night on Monday Night Raw, The OG Bloodline came back together as a well-oiled machine as The Usos stood side by side with Roman. With the WWE Universe asking who would be the first to challenge “The Tribal Chief,” Jacob Fatu shocked the world by answering the call. 

Fatu is running hot after his impressive win over Drew McIntyre and feels like he is ready to become the new world champion. This bloodline segment ended Raw, and it picked right back up on SmackDown with even Solo Sikoa and the MFTs involved. This is now two shows that have been centered around The Bloodline saga, and it’s made me question whether or not WWE should be retelling this story. 

The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa) ran WWE for over four years as Reigns’ henchmen, doing his dirty work to retain his title. Even though Roman has declared he doesn’t want Jey and Jimmy to serve him, it sure seems like WWE are spinning their wheels. Fatu could add a whole new chapter into the story, even if he’s not able to beat Roman at Backlash. “The Samoan Werewolf” could be forced to do the same thing as Jey did all those years ago and fall in line. 

 In my opinion, I feel like Fatu should be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Championship because that’s a title I feel like he should win. I understand standing up to your blood and trying to prove you’re the best, but I don’t think this is the right move. It feels like 2022 all over again, as The Bloodline is the central focus on both shows. If Fatu doesn’t win, what happens to all his momentum he’s been building over the last two years? 

Why did WWE make this the best choice for storyline purposes? Why couldn’t creative have come up with a different challenger for Roman? There are so many other superstars that could challenge The Tribal Chief, such as Rusev, Bron Breakker, Gunther, or even a returning Sheamus. 

I just can’t help but question WWE’s logic here, and it kind of reminds me of all the times The Shield reunited. Could WWE be pushing the same storyline too many times here? Could the WWE Universe get tired of this rinse and repeat cycle of The Bloodline Saga?

Are we about to see all the weekly episodes solely focused on The Bloodline again? Will it be cinema… Yes. Is there still money in The Bloodline… Yes. Was it the right call? That’s to be determined!

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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