The Smackdown Six: Six Things to Love About Smackdown

WELCOME one and all! I hope that this column finds you all well on this Friday morning. Today I am here to talk Smackdown, and specifically to praise the show. Overall since the draft, the show (despite a smaller roster and general dismissal from some pundits) has been rather great, and there are some specific reasons that this is the case. Today I will share those reasons that I have enjoyed the show and why I feel that it is succeeding. Feel free to agree/disagree and share why you guys have enjoyed/not enjoyed the show…

6. Less Emphasis on Authority Figures: Over the years, my distain for the authority figure in wrestling has constantly grown. Like anything, they have their role in wrestling, as long as they are used properly and more importantly, not over used. Now I am not calling for a complete banishment or relegating them to the “Jack Tunney” role, I just wanted restraint. Smackdown has done a good job of not making the show all about Shane and Bryan; some weeks they have been on a bit too much, but overall it has been done very well. Tuesday’s episode was a prime example, as Shane wasn’t even at the building and Bryan was not used on TV. Bryan spoke on Talking Smack (super fun show BTW) and explained that he wasn’t on TV because the show didn’t need him, that the action and stars carried the show. And I love that. I don’t need every week to be without Shane or Bryan, but at the same time it was completely refreshing to have a show that didn’t have them all over it. Raw featured FIVE segments involving Mick Foley and one segment with Stephanie (which was with Foley). That felt like way too much, and adds to the feeling that the show is all about them. Smackdown is getting into a groove where they feel the opposite of that, and it is appreciated and needed.

5. Actually Booking The Whole Women’s Division: I know that a lot of people will say “well there’s only six of them right now,” but the fact remains that Smackdown has done a great job of establishing their women’s division. They had to build the division from scratch, and so far have done a hell of a job. Becky Lynch is the perfect choice to be the leader and first champion. She is over, good on the mic, easy to root for and will keep the in ring consistent. She’s feuding with Alexa Bliss, giving the new girl attention and also allowing her to shine a bitchy heel against the lovable Lynch. Naomi and Natalya have split off, the real life friends like working together and it is a good next tier feud to keep them busy, and to also give one of them momentum and possibly set a next challenger. Natalya seems likely as she had a lot of success against Lynch pre-draft. Finally we have Carmella vs. Nikki. Carmella was absolutely dying as a face, and needed that heel turn. Nikki had been getting good reactions since her return so it all made sense. Nikki has a name, fans need a reason to care about Carmella, and they both needed a feud. Add into the fact that Nikki has done nothing but put over Carmella in beat downs and in matches, and it has been well done. If Carmella fails it won’t be due to them not trying. Smackdown has successfully booked their full division (Eva is out for a movie so doesn’t count) and I think it’s great.

4. Less is More – Keep It Simple: I tend to use the phrases “less is more” and “keep it simple stupid” when discussing things that go wrong with pro wrestling. Often times I really think wrestling goes wrong when the shows become bloated, over thought and/or over booked. On top of that, shows will often be filled with useless segments, poorly conceived comedy or other segments that seemingly have no place on the show other than to fill the time. I have no issue with fun segments, but I also do not want my time wasted. I want good stories with characters I either care about or relate to, leading to good and even possibly great wrestling to culminate the story. With that being said, when it comes to Smackdown, this is another area that they are thriving in. The shows are well paced, everything has a purpose and everything is leading to the next week or the PPV. It’s clean, it’s simple and it works. It’s what a good story should be, twists and turns can still be used, but if I buy a novel I don’t want a 600-page book with a ton of bullshit, fluff overdone exposition. Give me the 275-page book that tells the same great story without the filler. Smackdown is keeping it simple and focused and due to that are delivering some great shows.

3. John Cena Has Motivation: When the brand split was announced, I think that many feared that Smackdown would be the John Cena show. All John Cena all the time, telling poopy jokes and being the same old face that runs the place. Now don’t get me wrong, John Cena is a top guy and has more than earned his spot with the company. But at the age of 39, with an ever-growing schedule outside of WWE and the fact that he has had some serious injuries in his career, he couldn’t be the focus. Cena is still an important part of WWE, and can be a great asset, but he can’t be THE GUY all the time. But to use him in a scaled back role, he can’t just be a part time guy that pops in and out with no real reason, and right now John Cena has motivation. It was conveyed through commentary on Smackdown this week what that was. Sure he had previously mentioned wanting to tie Flair’s record, but this week he expanded on that. John Cena is now aware of his mortality in the wrestling business, he knows he won’t be around forever and has evaluated his career. And he now realizes that if he wins the 16th world title, that “it puts him in the conversation” for the greatest of all time. That is a great storyline reason for his motivation, why he is a bit more surly than usual; he realized that he is “THIS CLOSE” to greatness, he can taste it and he wants it. He’s not the whole show, he’s an important part of it and I really appreciate his new motivation. It’s not the John Cena show, no; it belongs to someone else…

2. AJ Styles is The Man: John Cena may still be the face that runs the face to the WWE, but AJ Styles is the champ and it is a glorious thing. With Cena’s ever-growing schedule outside of WWE, as previously mentioned, WWE needs to have people in place that can carry the show and Styles is that guy. We all know Styles can grow in the ring, but he’s also delivered in terms of character work and promos. Styles is not only a great in ring performer, but he’s finally become a complete performer. He’s a great guy to carry the title, he will deliver in the big time matches and he can work with anyone no matter their size or style. While Styles is no spring chicken (he’s also 39) he is a great short-term solution that will more than deliver in the role as the top guy. On a more personal note, after watching AJ Styles go from spot guy to great highflier to great wrestler to a complete performer through TNA, ROH, NJPW and WWE over the last 14-years has been a complete joy. I couldn’t be happier for the guy.

1. The Miz: When the brand extension was announced, I certainly had my concerns about the company being able to pull it off. But I also said that the brand extension would be a chance for some guys to fail and some guys to truly rise to the top as WWE looked to fill out both rosters. Miz is a performer who has truly taken every advantage of this opportunity. Throughout 2016 Miz has been on his game, having some very good TV matches on Smackdown and being completely locked in on his character. The addition of Maryse to the act has been absolutely tremendous. They are a disgustingly annoying act that is impossible to like, but that you completely appreciate as heels. And then the Daniel Bryan angle happened on Talking Smack (again, a show that’s really entertaining) and The Miz took things to another level. His promo game was always strong, but it’s been even better. His PPV and Smackdown matches with Ziggler have been great. The Miz is clicking on all cylinders, and has not only been a highlight of Smackdown, but you could make a case that Miz has been the most well rounded performer on the brand. Between he and AJ Styles, as well as all of the other points I have mentioned, Smackdown has become must see TV and a pleasure to watch and review.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”