mollyfamwatIf you aren’t watching WWE SmackDown tonight, you’re probably missing out on the most riveting program on the WWE Network. It only airs on Wednesdays, but it’s well worth the wait. SmackDown is the best of the WWE’s “blue brand—“or “Annex”—to WWE’s “main event” program. SmackDown features the underdogs and the misunderstood, the crazy characters, and the most confident men and women who ever stepped into a WWE ring.
For the first time in its history, WWE SmackDown will take over the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, FL on Tuesday night. With so much on the line, Dolph Ziggler has one final shot to restore order in the ranks of the blue brand.
With the Money in the Bank pay-per-view heading to the AT&T Center in Dallas, Texas this Sunday, the WWE Universe is anxiously awaiting the conclusion of the 2016 Pay-Per-View schedule. We already know that we are in for a few more weeks of Raw, SmackDown and the upcoming PPV’s, but what does the future hold? From the recent events, we are seeing some huge shakeups in the WWE Title picture.. Read more about wwe smackdown result 2021 and let us know what you think.
Fans had a lot to think about after last night’s episode of SmackDown, and it wasn’t all about the program. Fans were still talking about the program on social media after it finished for a number of reasons, and although the show is running well as we go into SummerSlam season, not everything is perfect, and we’re here to highlight the good and bad in a new feature called the SmackDown Rundown. We’ll be here every Saturday, so let’s start with a discussion of what we liked most about the show, what stood out the most, and what might need some work.
WWE’s Most Recent Releases: I figured it’d be best to start with the most important lesson from the event, since it’s still surprising that WWE dismissed 13 guys from NXT while the show was still going on. The releases, naturally, diverted attention away from the event and the build-up to SummerSlam, and for many, it cast a pall over everything that came after, despite the program’s overall quality. There were some startling names among those released, and this year has been particularly harsh in this respect.
We’ve learned more about the releases, including why there have been so many releases in WWE overall, as well as the latest from NXT, and our hearts go out to all those who lost their jobs last night. When their 30-day non-compete agreements expire, we hope they can bounce back stronger than ever, and we can’t wait to watch them succeed wherever they go.
We have even more opinions on SmackDown, which you can see beginning on the following slide!
Let us know what you think of the inaugural SmackDown RunDown in the comments, and as usual, you can reach out to me on Twitter @MattAguilarCB to discuss all things WWE!
Promotions That Work
Sasha Banks addressed her problems with Bianca Belair on SmackDown, and Banks was back to her oh-so-wonderful villain ways. The rationale for not being featured in Belair’s victory tour makes a lot of sense, particularly after their epic WrestleMania 37 battle, so you buy-in right away.
@WWE’s EST issued the challenge: @BiancaBelairWWE vs. @SashaBanks. WWE at #SummerSlam for the SmackDown Women’s Title pic.twitter.com/03NE3zjtwq
August 7, 2021 — WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX)
Then came Belair, who fortunately hadn’t lost any of her championship swagger, but it was Zelina Vega who brought it all together with one of her finest promos since her comeback, and it helped that she had a leg to stand on here. This was a good start for me, since I’m all for a Vega/Belair/Banks back-and-forth.
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Rules that appear out of nowhere
This is when things start to become ridiculous. While the build-up was fantastic, a segment with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville destroyed the momentum by informing Vega that she couldn’t schedule her own bouts, even if Belair approved, and that a Championship match had to be promoted first and couldn’t be booked this way. When did this happen, exactly?
“I’m certain that I can defeat @SashaBanksWWE.” #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UJ5Qveadp4 – @TheaTrinidad
August 7, 2021 — WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX)
For anybody who has seen SmackDown in the last year, this makes no sense. Everyone seems to come out and schedule their own matches half of the time, so having the rule appear out of nowhere to fit the narrative is a little stupid. Later that night, Zelina was given a non-title bout against Belair, with the promise of a championship opportunity if she performed well. Unfortunately, she lost, bringing her record to 0 and 5. I’m all for booking selling a story (like Baron Corbin’s recent defeats), but this seems like Vega is being ripped out from under him at every step.
Vega gave an excellent promo and seemed to be a real danger despite her past defeats, but adding another one to the mix just serves to stop whatever momentum she may have gained. I’m not sure how this will help her unless there’s a huge wave of victories on the way.
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The Time Has Come for a Change
It’s strange to believe that some predicted Dominik Mysterio would turn on his father Rey last year, but it seems to be happening soon. Dominik claimed he didn’t need his father’s assistance in a backstage section, which continued the subtle hints of the disintegrating relationship. A long burn on these breakups is the greatest approach, as we learned with Sasha and Bayley, and it makes the payout much more gratifying, so although I won’t go so far as to predict this will happen at SummerSlam, the fact that the end objective is in sight is a big plus.
.@DomMysterio35 engages in combat NEXT on #SmackDown is Jey @WWEUsos!
@FOXTV pic.twitter.com/bcUpXT4178 @FOXTV pic.twitter.com/bcUpXT4178
— WWE (@WWE) prevnext August 7, 2021
The Winning Ways of Shotzi and Nox…With a Catch
My trust in how Raw and SmackDown handle new NXT talents is skewed, but the blue brand is on a roll and heading in the right way with Shotzi and Nox. Not only did Nox win a singles match against Tamina (who is filling in for Natalya as she recovers from surgery), but we also got to witness the two share some laughs in a backstage section. They were fantastic as a tag team in NXT, and they’re just as good here.
That sort of outside influence has never happened before! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EHcpougzyw @TeganNoxWWE_ @ShotziWWE
August 7, 2021 — WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX)
While I know there’s been some debate on whether or not they should use borderline tactics to get wins (like shooting balls from a tank cannon for instance), I’d actually rather they be faces with just a little bit of an edge, and this kind of win fits into that realm quite well. Don’t go too much beyond that mind you, but stuff like this I think works just fine.
Here’s the rub: there’s a catch. While the victory and backstage section were both enjoyable, the bout itself was much too short. The moment with the tank was the most remembered part of it, and that should never be the case. Shotzi and Nox are excellent wrestlers first and foremost, and we haven’t had an opportunity to witness that in the ring yet, which is crucial for establishing them as stars in front of an audience that isn’t as acquainted with their work as those who follow NXT religiously every week. These things take time, so although the victories are satisfying, the matches need some breathing room.
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Big E Is A Spectacular Find
What more is there to say, really? Big E, who is standing next to Paul Heyman and carrying the Money in the Bank briefcase over his shoulder, turns around and scares him out of his shoes. That’s great in and of itself, but it’s the hilarious trolling look E has on his face as he chuckles, knowing well well that he can cash in this contract at any moment and steal the championship from Roman Reigns.
#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6Ab8G7HtK2 #SmackDown
August 7, 2021 — WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX)
It’s a little moment, but it’s amazing, and it’s just another indication of why Big E reigns supreme.
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Rollins Golden
Edge has been great on the mic and in the ring since he came over to SmackDown, but the MVP of this particular feud is without a doubt Seth Rollins. Rollins seems to be having a ball with his over-the-top character these days, and Edge provides the perfect foil for the more outlandish persona. The promo was entertaining, as was that suit, and though I thought we could’ve pushed the SummerSlam match announce a bit further, having it set in stone doesn’t hurt anything either.
At #SummerSlam, we’ll finally get to witness @EdgeRatedR vs. @WWERollins. pic.twitter.com/rMeNcI55MZ
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) prevnext August 8, 2021
Sign me up for Balor vs. Cena!
Finn Balor would address the contract signing that cost him a shot at the Universal Championship, and later in the night, he would demolish Baron Corbin in a spectacular squash match. That victory was crucial for both characters’ careers, but the tease of Balor going after John Cena, who ended up signing the deal, was surprising.
“After I finish with @BaronCorbinWWE, I have a beef with @JohnCena.” @FinnBalor #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/FhG31SneXk
August 7, 2021 — WWE (@WWE)
A Balor vs. Cena bout might be incredible, therefore it can’t come fast enough. Their techniques aren’t identical, but they both know how to work with just about anybody and have fun doing it, so they should be able to do the same with each other. It also offers Balor a star-studded opponent before or after Cena’s fight with Roman Reigns, which should maintain Balor in contention for the main event, which he should be.
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The Genuine Prince
That win against Corbin led to a confrontation between Roman Reigns and Finn Balor later in the night as Balor was calling out Cena again. This perturbed Reigns, and while I was worried we were getting a watered-down Prince from NXT on SmackDown, this sequence went a long way to helping ease those fears.
“Finn is no longer alive. This Finn isn’t having a good day. This Finn wants to confront @WWERomanReigns for the Universal Championship, and if that means going through @JohnCena, so be it!” #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/G6UaTBjVgi – @FinnBalor
August 7, 2021 — WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX)
Balor not only never flinched in his face-to-face confrontation with Reigns, but he also survived an ambush by The Usos and delivered his usual swagger and confidence afterwards, prompting Reigns to return to the ring and assault him in a three-on-one situation. In this fight, Reigns won, but Prince held his own and emerged looking as though he can go toe-to-toe with Reigns, and the following bout between them (whenever that happens) should be spectacular.
Throw in the Cena angle to all this and you’ve got yourself a main event picture that could last well after SummerSlam.
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Last week, TNA announced that it had signed a new deal with SpikeTV, which channels its programming on POP. The deal came amid rumors that TNA had been in talks with Viacom, the parent company of SpikeTV. The new deal comes on the heels of a new deal between WWE and NBC Sports….. Read more about wwe rumors and let us know what you think.
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