The Good, Bad and Ugly: WWE SmackDown (1/1/19)

Our first official WWE show of 2019, and it’s everyone favorite main roster brand! Does SmackDown kick off with fireworks, or damp sparklers? 

Welcome to 2019!  WWE SmackDown has been pure fire, setting the bar quite literally for WWE Programming.  On the news of AEW, will the excellence of SmackDown evolve further?  Let us see if the new potential competition has altered the formula of WWE’s top show.

THE GOOD

Opening Segment w/ The New Day

Xavier Woods announces that The New Day, all three, have officially entered the 2019 Royal Rumble Match.  New Day is always over the top, Big E in a diaper to kick off the new year isn’t anything crazy.  Shooting on Brock Lesnar a few times on the other hand, was surprising.  Kofi Kingston wants to live inside the New Transformers Movie and the no more pancakes gimmick only lasted 1 second.  Of course Bird Box was mentioned because you cannot breathe without a reference to it.  Jeff Hardy crashes the party to set up his match with Samoa Joe later in the show.  This wasn’t overkill, and served more than one purpose effectively.  Nothing Great, but Good enough. 

Winner Enters Fatal 5 Way- Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe

Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe can go, and always get a reaction out there.  Good choice for an opening match.  Samoa Joe looked to end it early with a quick submission but Hardy got to the ropes and played the hurt knee.  Hardy returned the favor destroying Joe’s knee on the ring post.  Samoa Joe was extremely stiff but I think he prefers it.  Hardy is a sucker for punishment.  Once Joe got going, he dominated Hardy.  Hardy came back hitting hard, getting a “twist of fate” and a “swanton bomb” but Joe snuck out of the ring.  Hardy pursued but got hit with a “Coquina Clutch” on the outside nearly getting counted out.  Hardy barely back in the ring, and locked into the “Coquina Clutch” again and cannot continue.  Samoa Joe picks up the victory and a spot in the Fatal 5 Way.    

McMahon/AJ Styles Vignette

Short and pointless unless they are setting up Shane vs. AJ.  If that is the case they just introduced a possible feud.  Because it was so short, and Vince is always Gold, this little piece was Good. 

United States Champion Rusev w/ Lana Promo

Rusev is unbelievably over with the crowd.  He works the mic well.  This particular promo wasn’t going anywhere and Nakamura agreed, attacking Rusev.  Lana fought for her man attacking Nakamura but got caught up when Rusev kicked Shinsuke on top of her.  Nakamura took advantage and knocked out Rusev before laying the belt on top of him.  This was again, short and useful to continue the feud that is enjoyable all around. 

Naomi vs. Sonya Deville

Mandy Rose just minutes ago spotted by Naomi being a flirt with Naomi’s man Jimmy Uso  Naomi ultimately gets a kiss under the mistletoe.  Setting forth some heat for this match.  Mandy Rose has been getting pushed big time lately, as well as the ever so deserving Sonya Deville.  The match looked to be Mandy Rose vs. Naomi but it was Deville that worked the match.  Rose enraged Naomi revealing a “Down Since Day One” Shirt and later distracting Naomi further by interrupting on the mic and revealing that she sent Uso a naughty picture earlier that night.  Deville capitalized on the distraction, winning by pin-fall.  This was a huge victory for Deville.  Naomi is a big name to pin no matter the case.  I would love to see more of Deville, she has a Good look, and full potential if polished correctly. 

John Cena Returns

Welcome Home John Cena!  Great to see Cena back where he belongs.  This had to be Good no matter what happens, but what does happen is just Fantastic.  His haircut is horrible and apparently “The Man” feels the same way.  Becky delivered an unforgettable message to Cena that he is dethroned as the top dog and even give a Nikki Bella shoot on him.  Surprisingly out comes Zelina Vega and Cien Almas.  Zelina mumbled something or other about “has beens” and similar stuff.  Cena took back control as he always does, and set up a Tag Team Match.  Cena/Lynch vs. Vega/Almas.

Asuka/HHH Vinette

HHH speaking with Asuka looked great and made great content.  The reason this was significant was Carmella throwing her name in the hat.  Carmella is definitely worthy to be in this feud, and can add something different.  Carmella held that belt for a little bit, and did beat some big names, who are also in the hunt as usual.  This was a really Good promo and got people excited. 

Fatal 5 Way for spot in WWE Championship Match at Royal Rumble- AJ Styles vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Samoa Joe

Everyone was on point in this match, especially Samoa Joe.  High-spots, suplexes, strikes, the exchanges had it all.  AJ Styles new aggressive streak was a decent addition also.  AJ Styles took some insane bumps that looked fantastic.  The story here is Mustafa Ali being in this altogether.  This is a huge match for this point in his career no matter the outcome.  It means a lot that he is there.  Ali and Mysterio were unbelievable.  The end was insane!  Ali looked like he had it won, going for the “054” but ended up in the “Coquina Clutch” which was broken up by Mysterio by the ropes with a “619.”  Randy Orton then took full control until he was destroyed and finally finished by AJ Styles for the victory!  AJ landed badly on Randy Orton but they seemed to be okay overall.  This was an action packed, all out Main Event on a decent show overall.  AJ vs Daniel Bryan should do the Royal Rumble justice. 

THE BAD

John Cena and Becky Lynch vs. Cien Almas and Zelina Vega

As always Lynch started off strong, however it was a bit disappointing that Cien wouldn’t fight her after being tagged in.  Cena and Almas was a little flat.  Nothing great, nothing popped.  Cien is so Good too, but maybe it is just Cena playing it safe, or something about how long he has been out.  The action wasn’t very entertaining for most of the match.  Lynch came in on the hot tag like a ball of fire, even then however there were some miscues.  Cena jumped Almas with a “Five Knuckle Shuffle” and an “Attitude Adjustment” then out of nowhere Lynch threw Cena out of the ring.  Vega rolled up Lynch looking for the win, however Lynch locked the “Disarmer” for the victory.  After the match Cena went for a handshake but was greeted with a “You Can’t See Me” from Lynch.  There were some bright moments but this really wasn’t a Good Match.  A rare blemish that still was exciting and better than most of the Bad variety. 

THE UGLY

Miz/Shane McMahon Vinette

This was a really weird promo.  Luckily it was fast but it just didn’t resonate.  No one care about the gear they will wear and everyone already knows that they don’t click well as a team.  I don’t know the end game with Miz and Shane but I hope it happens soon so that the story can move elsewhere. 

FINAL TALLY

GOOD:  7

BAD:  2

UGLY:  1

OVERALL- Yes, SmackDown was again, Good, but unlike the last few weeks, it certainly had a few not so Good moments.  That is okay though, nothing is perfect, granted the last few SmackDowns were as close as possible.  They have a little time left to set up the Royal Rumble and if both Raw and SmackDown can continue their trends, we should have a fantastic PPV ahead. 

Separately, please look out for my first addition of Good Bad and Ugly NXT tomorrow night.  That’s right, we will be bringing this platform ahead to the top dogs at NXT!  Thank you for the support, please continue to read, like, comment, and share.