SMACKDOWN LIVE SUPERTHREAD

Lord TSC

Zero discussion

I worry that Smackdown is becoming very much like NXT in terms of it's TV show. Solid writing, solid wrestling but ultimately not so enthralling that its must see TV....

sky88

I actually think smack down is easily the best show right now sadly I'm just not getting much of a chance to watch it

LeeJM

Last night was a solid show but nothing really advanced. Becky Alexa is still the womens title feud. Ellsworth cost Ambrose another match. Ellsworth still has to get another title match vs AJ. The only real progression on the show was The Miz using Daniel Bryans Knee Plus/Busaiku Knee finisher for a nearfall as a way to get at DB and Rhyno and Slater getting their title rematch outta the way vs Orton & Wyatt.

beakerjoe

LeeJM wrote: »

Last night was a solid show but nothing really advanced. Becky Alexa is still the womens title feud. Ellsworth cost Ambrose another match. Ellsworth still has to get another title match vs AJ. The only real progression on the show was The Miz using Daniel Bryans Knee Plus/Busaiku Knee finisher for a nearfall as a way to get at DB and Rhyno and Slater getting their title rematch outta the way vs Orton & Wyatt.

Hes used it quite a bit lately IIRC

Lithium93_

beakerjoe

Lord TSC wrote: »

Zero discussion

I worry that Smackdown is becoming very much like NXT in terms of it's TV show. Solid writing, solid wrestling but ultimately not so enthralling that its must see TV....

Personally for me, after a PPV and a Raw on Monday, I needed a break. I watched it later but I imagine others are in a similar boat. Watching live for me is painful, with ad break after ad break. Id rather choose to watch it the next day,ad free. Its much much more convenient.

This weeks episode was nothing must see anyway, WWE in the November / December months usually is on autopilot until Jan.

Mr.Nice Guy

Bit late on this but I thought the 'You deserve it' chants towards Ambrose for the Participation Award were hilarious. Also I can see that Participation Award thing getting over huge if they keep up with it, and even possibly turning Miz babyface. It's a funny shtick.

I didn't like the pay-off to the Ellsworth screwjob where Ambrose comes down and destroys him in seconds and then leaves. I reckon had AJ not been hurt then they would have done this differently, but even so, they could have done something better here. I would have preferred Ellsworth to run for his life and have Ambrose chase him out of the arena. Maybe do some skits backstage where Ellsworth is running for cover. At least tease the Dirty Deeds out a bit, and by doing so emphasize how irate Ambrose is, rather than just have him hit the Dirty Deeds and leave up the ramp.

WinnyThePoo

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Bit late on this but I thought the 'You deserve it' chants towards Ambrose for the Participation Award were hilarious. Also I can see that Participation Award thing getting over huge if they keep up with it, and even possibly turning Miz babyface. It's a funny shtick.

.

Ambrose coming back out at survivor series with the crowd chanting 'Stupid Idiot' was hilarious also.

beakerjoe

The Miz is just brilliant on the stick lately. Hes a proper heat magnet and knows exactly what to say and when to say it. His "What? No you deserve it chant for me" comment on SD was delivered brilliantly as was his promo after he won his match on TLC. All superb and a man who is really enjoying his revitalized run since the brand split.

Its a pity AJ Styles is on the same show as him, as Miz would be a great top heel at this moment in time. Hes just so self aware, so cocky and knows exactly what buttons to press to get heat. Apart from Charlotte (who is not on Mizs level yet shes improving all the time character wise), theres no real heel in WWE like Miz

johnnyryan89

beakerjoe wrote: »

The Miz is just brilliant on the stick lately. Hes a proper heat magnet and knows exactly what to say and when to say it. His "What? No you deserve it chant for me" comment on SD was delivered brilliantly as was his promo after he won his match on TLC. All superb and a man who is really enjoying his revitalized run since the brand split.

Its a pity AJ Styles is on the same show as him, as Miz would be a great top heel at this moment in time. Hes just so self aware, so cocky and knows exactly what buttons to press to get heat. Apart from Charlotte (who is not on Mizs level yet shes improving all the time character wise), theres no real heel in WWE like Miz

Styles will be on Raw once Wrestlemania is over giving Miz the chance to be the top heel in the company.

While Miz looks like he will probably be entering into a fued with Ambrose for the time being you gotta wonder what now for AJ Styles. Cena seems to be out for awhile with other commitments, Styles and Taker sounds alright but we all know whose gonna go over in that fued which leaves only two other main roster guys who'd be a big enough name to fued with Styles in Bray and Orton. While both men are tag team champions for the moment if they use the free bird rule that allows Bray to chase the WWE championship.

LeeJM

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

beakerjoe wrote: »

The Miz is just brilliant on the stick lately. Hes a proper heat magnet and knows exactly what to say and when to say it. His "What? No you deserve it chant for me" comment on SD was delivered brilliantly as was his promo after he won his match on TLC. All superb and a man who is really enjoying his revitalized run since the brand split.

Its a pity AJ Styles is on the same show as him, as Miz would be a great top heel at this moment in time. Hes just so self aware, so cocky and knows exactly what buttons to press to get heat. Apart from Charlotte (who is not on Mizs level yet shes improving all the time character wise), theres no real heel in WWE like Miz

Styles will be on Raw once Wrestlemania is over giving Miz the chance to be the top heel in the company.

While Miz looks like he will probably be entering into a fued with Ambrose for the time being you gotta wonder what now for AJ Styles. Cena seems to be out for awhile with other commitments, Styles and Taker sounds alright but we all know whose gonna go over in that fued which leaves only two other main roster guys who'd be a big enough name to fued with Styles in Bray and Orton. While both men are tag team champions for the moment if they use the free bird rule that allows Bray to chase the WWE championship.

Yea AJ is. Depending on what you believe the tentative plan for WrestleMania on the Smackdown side is Undertaker/Kane vs Orton/Wyatt for the tag titles and AJ vs Cena for the WWE Title. The Miz likely drops the IC Title between now and WM and faces either Daniel Bryan or a DB endorsed guy like Samoa Joe or Nakamura. Ambrose will turn heel soon and I can see Luke Harper going face to oppose Orton & Wyatt. 

Smackdown between January and May is gonna be a cant miss show.

beakerjoe

LeeJM wrote: »

Yea AJ is. Depending on what you believe the tentative plan for WrestleMania on the Smackdown side is Undertaker/Kane vs Orton/Wyatt for the tag titles and AJ vs Cena for the WWE Title. The Miz likely drops the IC Title between now and WM and faces either Daniel Bryan or a DB endorsed guy like Samoa Joe or Nakamura. Ambrose will turn heel soon and I can see Luke Harper going face to oppose Orton & Wyatt. 

Smackdown between January and May is gonna be a cant miss show.

A lot of these assumptions could easily change and go in other directions, which is a great thing as things don't look as obvious.

AJ could feud with Taker at the Rumble, but he could lose making Cena v Taker for the title (if they are indeed doing that). AJ could chase Cena for the title afterwards seeing as Cena never beat AJ yet.

I can also see Randy turning rather than Harper. I like Harper, but hes just not elevated enough yet IMO to look like a threat to Wyatt or Orton let alone both.

I do like the Idea of a DB endorsed guy v Miz, but it will be a let down IMO. They've built up a feud around Bryan, and anything less than that ill fall short.

Id love Bryan to tease a guy and say its a mystery man, only for it to be revealed to be Bryan at the PPV and beat Miz in quick fashion with a Running Knee or quick submission, since he safely cant work a real match.

LeeJM

beakerjoe wrote: »

LeeJM wrote: »

Yea AJ is. Depending on what you believe the tentative plan for WrestleMania on the Smackdown side is Undertaker/Kane vs Orton/Wyatt for the tag titles and AJ vs Cena for the WWE Title. The Miz likely drops the IC Title between now and WM and faces either Daniel Bryan or a DB endorsed guy like Samoa Joe or Nakamura. Ambrose will turn heel soon and I can see Luke Harper going face to oppose Orton & Wyatt. 

Smackdown between January and May is gonna be a cant miss show.

A lot of these assumptions could easily change and go in other directions, which is a great thing as things don't look as obvious.

AJ could feud with Taker at the Rumble, but he could lose making Cena v Taker for the title (if they are indeed doing that). AJ could chase Cena for the title afterwards seeing as Cena never beat AJ yet.

I can also see Randy turning rather than Harper. I like Harper, but hes just not elevated enough yet IMO to look like a threat to Wyatt or Orton let alone both.

I do like the Idea of a DB endorsed guy v Miz, but it will be a let down IMO. They've built up a feud around Bryan, and anything less than that ill fall short.

Id love Bryan to tease a guy and say its a mystery man, only for it to be revealed to be Bryan at the PPV and beat Miz in quick fashion with a Running Knee or quick submission, since he safely cant work a real match.

Oh its absolutely all just assumptions and rumour but the fact that none of it seems like a bad idea shows how well Smackdown has done since the split. AJ Cena to me is the standout match for Smackdown at Mania. Hell that should be main event. 

With 'Taker Im beginning to think he has another year left in the tank. Get the Brothers of Destruction nostalgia run outta the way this year with the story of facing 2 guys he has previously beaten at WM and then build to WM 34 vs Cena in his retirement match. 

Orton turning again would be stale AF. I think Harper cold get over to a decent level as a face. But if not Harper then it needs to be Bray that turns. Have Orton turn Haper against Bray and let Orton recruit somebody to join himself and Harper in a group. Randy is always at his best when in a stable and he has different characters to bounce off. 

I think ultimately the pay off in the DB Miz feud is Bryan hitting Miz with the Busaiku Knee. Now whether thats in a match or just a once off thing to blow off the angle but thats what I imagine the end game is.

beakerjoe

I do like the idea of Randy and Luke turning on Bray. I like this a lot.

WinnyThePoo

I think we we will see a Bryan endorsed guy face the Miz at Wrestlemania. With Miz and Bryans jobs on the line.

Bounty Hunter

Styles retains vs The Undertaker at the Rumble in a way that still keeps Taker looking strong. Maybe Cena somehow gets involved so those two can start a Mania story. Meanwhile AJ needs a new challenger and why not newly debuted in the Rumble where he almost won the thing, Samoa Joe. Wyatt & Orton could be holding the tag gold still going into mania as they would already have lots of big money matches for that card already especially when you add in stuff like Shaq vs Big Show so them in the tag title match would at least guarantee them both have a big match. Hell they could do interpromotional thing against the new day. Meanwhile Elsworth faces Dean for a few weeks before Dean takes him out, he returns at the rumble only to be killed by Joe as he debutes. After the rumble Dean will fully move on to The Miz in a IC title feud that'll lead to mania with D.Bryan endorsing Dean even though it isn't what we all really want from The Miz's story with him.

LeeJM

I think AJ needs to beat Taker clean at the Rumble. Yes he has beaten Cena but what a statement that woukd be to kickoff the road to Mania. AJ beating Taker clean would prove that the current stars a step ahead of the old attitude era stars. Its something WWE doesnt do often enough and could really be used in this instance to set the tone for what should be a WM where new stars are established.

Blue_Dabadee

There is not much reason to watch Smackdown for the rest of the month since their PPV was held during first week of the month and business probably won't pick up again till the first week of January.

Lithium93_

Another week, another SMACKDOWN LIVE



Styles vs. Ellsworth in a WWE Championship Match
James Ellsworth challenges AJ Styles for the WWE Title as part of WWE Week on USA Network. In addition to dealing with the pressures of such a high-stakes contest and the fact that The Phenomenal One will be out to absolutely destroy him, Ellsworth must also prepare himself for the little matter of a lunatic on the loose, thirsty for retribution.

Last week, Ellsworth cost Dean Ambrose both the WWE Championship at WWE TLC and the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown LIVE. So perhaps the question isn’t whether or not the chinless Superstar will win the title, but who will get their hands on him first? Then again, Ellsworth has defied the odds before. (He’s unbeaten against the champion so far.) Is there actually a chance that he will find a way to capture WWE’s top prize?

Who can possibly overcome The Wyatt Family?
Last week, new SmackDown Tag Team Champions Randy Orton & Bray Wyatt overcame former titleholders Heath Slater & Rhyno in dominant fashion, reminding the WWE Universe just how dangerous they really are, not only to the Tag Team division, but to Team Blue as a whole.

Later on Talking Smack, Rhyno walked out on The One Man Band, indicating that we could be seeing the end of Beauty & The Man Beast. But is there any tandem on SmackDown LIVE who will dare challenge the Wyatts? The Hype Bros have already stated they are heading in that direction, and American Alpha will surely continue their longstanding pursuit of tandem championship gold. A challenge from The Usos would also be a sight to see, and though ew’re not sure what would happen if “The Fashion Police” Breezango attempted to hand The New Face of Fear a citation, we are definitely curious.

Notwithstanding the incredible talent in SmackDown LIVE’s Tag Team division, however, with the news that The Wyatts will utilizethe Freebird Rule throughout their championship reign, it will be difficult for any team to contend with the combined force of Wyatt, Orton & Luke Harper.

Is Nikki out to get Natalya or Carmella?
Last week, following Carmella’s claims that Natalya had attacked Nikki Bella at Survivor Series, a stone-faced Nikki didn’t seem the least bit receptive to Natalya’s denial. Later on Talking Smack, The Princess of Staten Island further explained her side of things and added more fuel to the fire.

Which one’s lying: Carmella or Natalya? And will Fearless Nikki take it upon herself to find out the answer with whatever force necessary?

Who will look to unseat The Miz?
As Curt Hawkins might say, it’s time to face the facts: The Miz walked out of Survivor Series, WWE TLC and last week’s SmackDown LIVE with the Intercontinental Title still securely around his waist.

So who will be the next Superstar to try and knock The A-Lister into a B-List column? As SmackDown LIVE is the land of opportunity, the field has never been more wide open. Certainly Baron Corbin comes to mind, considering his success in recent brutal showdowns against Kalisto. Perhaps Luke Harper will look to conquer Miz and bring even more championship gold into the Wyatt Family fold. Or, in light of James Ellsworth’s interference last week, will Dean Ambrose vie for another crack at the illustrious title?

Whoever decides to step up, one thing is certain: The Miz continues to prove that he is a lot better at winning than everybody thinks he is, and knocking him off the mountaintop will not be a small task for any Superstar.

SKY SPORTS 5 @ 1 A.M

And Gabriel Iglesias (never heard of him) also scheduled to appear on the show.

connemara man

Such a shame that the Braun vs Sami doesn't have a leave Raw clause as Sami would be a great new foil for the Miz

Itssoeasy

God natalya bugs the hell out of me. Can't WWE make her an ambassador or something and a pay her to stay away ? All the other women on smackdown have huge upside and have talent and can do all the aspects needed to an acceptable level. Natalya IMO cant and is annoying.

PTH2009

SD mania matches I'd like to see

Shane vs Dean Ambrose- Extreme rules match

Cena vs Taker (c) for the world title

Miz vs A Daniel Bryan Guy (NXT guy or Sami Zayn)- Bryan will cost Miz the title a few weeks before hand

Styles vs Ziggler (c) vs Shelton Benjamin vs Kane vs Baron Corbin vs Jack Swagger- 6 man intercon ladder match

Orton and Wyatt's (c) vs New Day- Orton will turn on Wyatt in this match

CastorTroy

That just remeinded me, what happened with Shelton?

ERG89

PTH2009 wrote: »

SD mania matches I'd like to see

Shane vs Dean Ambrose- Extreme rules match

Cena vs Taker (c) for the world title

Miz vs A Daniel Bryan Guy (NXT guy or Sami Zayn)- Bryan will cost Miz the title a few weeks before hand

Styles vs Ziggler (c) vs Shelton Benjamin vs Kane vs Baron Corbin vs Jack Swagger- 6 man intercon ladder match

Orton and Wyatt's (c) vs New Day- Orton will turn on Wyatt in this match

Styles after the year he had would be wondering what the fúck he did to be put in a match with Jumpin Jack Swagger

Furious-Red

CastorTroy wrote: »

That just remeinded me, what happened with Shelton?

He got injured just before he was due to return

Itssoeasy

CastorTroy wrote: »

That just remeinded me, what happened with Shelton?

Shoulder injury.

Lithium93_

Tom Philips doesn't look so awkward at the commentary table now.

Lithium93_

AJ Styles & The Miz work so well together.

Future feud hopefully.

Furious-Red

Part of me is glad we didnt get American Alpha vs the Wyatts yet since AA would not win. I am totally ok with the ****e Bros being fed to Wyatts .

Where are the Usos?

Lord TSC

Between Wyatts vs Hype Bros and Styles vs Ziggler, the Smackdown side of the Rumble looks very predictable so far...

J. Marston

I love how little Bryan cares about what he says on Talking Smack...

https://streamable.com/a3hw

beakerjoe

Lord TSC wrote: »

Between Wyatts vs Hype Bros and Styles vs Ziggler, the Smackdown side of the Rumble looks very predictable so far...

Its a holding pattern until WM season kicks in. All the feuds are just filler. Also the depth of top talent on Smackdown was evident with the main event. Luke Harper just lumped in there for the craic.

cian68

Lord TSC wrote: »

Between Wyatts vs Hype Bros and Styles vs Ziggler, the Smackdown side of the Rumble looks very predictable so far...

The Rumble isn't for 7 or 8 weeks. Randy Orton will not be feuding with Mojo Rawley that whole time.

CastorTroy

Ziggler's hair would give Alicia Fox's a run for its money.

PTH2009

Dec 27th edition of SD features Ziggler vs Styles for the title and The return of John Cena

I wonder will Taker make an appearance too setup a match with Styles or Cena ???

Love If Cena was doing a promo and Taker appears and challenges him to a match at mania.

Wonder would a Styles vs Cena vs Taker triple threat for the Title work at Mania ???

CastorTroy

Remember when Taker said he would be around more?


Now I think of it, having a live episode on Dec 27th is a bit mad. I know the States don't have a holiday for St Stephen's Day but still. Actually is Raw live on the 26th? I would assume it's the highlights show

PTH2009

CastorTroy wrote: »

Remember when Taker said he would be around more?


Now I think of it, having a live episode on Dec 27th is a bit mad. I know the States don't have a holiday for St Stephen's Day but still. Actually is Raw live on the 26th? I would assume it's the highlights show

Are they doing a Slammy awards thing dis year ???

Lithium93_

PTH2009 wrote: »

Are they doing a Slammy awards thing dis year ???

No Slammy's this year, back next year.

beakerjoe

Lithium93_ wrote: »

No Slammy's this year, back next year.

Ah Lith, I've read they have no plans for Slammies too..... but that could easily change knowing WWE.

Lord TSC

So much for their tag title shot...

https://twitter.com/ZackRyder/status/809420867587416064

Bad knee injury apparently, and he's off to have surgery.

ERG89

Smackdown is a show where it's so blatantly obvious there is a major shortage of faces as the only 2 pushed ones (Ziggler & Ambrose) could do with turning. Cena coming back is needed but he's part time.
Good to see Lynch dropped that honey badger thing fast & Harper impressed in the main event, a nice reminder of what he is capable of since he returned from injury.

PTH2009

ERG89 wrote: »

Smackdown is a show where it's so blatantly obvious there is a major shortage of faces as the only 2 pushed ones (Ziggler & Ambrose) could do with turning. Cena coming back is needed but he's part time.
Good to see Lynch dropped that honey badger thing fast & Harper impressed in the main event, a nice reminder of what he is capable of since he returned from injury.

They could do with some NXT guys moving up like Aries, Dillinger, the Revival and Nakamura (new main event star).

Love Roode and Joe there too but they seem like Raw guys to me

beakerjoe

PTH2009 wrote: »

They could do with some NXT guys moving up like Aries, Dillinger, the Revival and Nakamura (new main event star).

Love Roode and Joe there too but they seem like Raw guys to me

They need some new top babyfaces fast.


Aries is injured, and hes a heel anyway

Dillinger isnt up to scratch and would be a step above Mojo Rawley at best.

The Revival are also heels and theres already enough good heel teams on SD.

That leaves Nakamura. Who isnt going anywhere until after the next Takeover at least.

Joe is a possiblity as is Zayn if they trade him, but other than that they are in serious need of some new top good guys

johnnyryan89

Think with the right booking Dillenger could be good on Smackdown, he's got a good gimmick and is decent in the ring plus they could do with some mid carders on Smackdown.

Bobby Roode and Joe could do with going to Smackdown, would be too many bigger established WWE names on Raw in their way and Roode would be mid carder at best on Raw and wouldn't go any higher where on Smackdown he could go straight into the IC picture and move on up to the main event scene in time.

beakerjoe

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Think with the right booking Dillenger could be good on Smackdown, he's got a good gimmick and is decent in the ring plus they could do with some mid carders on Smackdown.

Bobby Roode and Joe could do with going to Smackdown, would be too many bigger established WWE names on Raw in their way and Roode would be mid carder at best on Raw and wouldn't go any higher where on Smackdown he could go straight into the IC picture and move on up to the main event scene in time.

I think the gimmick works with the Full sail crowd, but in the big picture its a very thin gimmick. Apart from him entering the Royal Rumble at number 10, I can see it getting stale fairly quick on the main roster. He'd be grand in NXT as a gatekeeper role for new talent debuting.

Roode certainly has wiped the TNA stink off him very well, everything about his persona is working. The music, the cockiness and he's the first person since Flair to actually look like a star wearing a robe (AJ looked ridiculous)

WinnyThePoo

I feel sorry for Zayn. If he had went to Smackdown he would be able to feud with the Miz. Also seeing as Ziggler has got another chance It could have been Zayns, After Ziggler and Ambrose.

Single Faces;

1. Cena ( Not there)
2. The Undertaker ( Not there, Presume face when back)
3. Ambrose
4. Ziggler
5. Kalisto
6. Jack Swaggger

Ellsworth is a comedy act.

PTH2009

Bring in a bulk of the NXT roster/combine 205 and make SD 3 hours like raw

LeeJM

PTH2009 wrote: »

Bring in a bulk of the NXT roster/combine 205 and make SD 3 hours like raw

Why?

And the reasons this isnt possible is first they have a Network that they need to supply new content with. Second USA arent gonna pay them for a third hour on Tuesdays and third WWE is a business so just sending all your favourites to one show isnt a smart business decision.

Mr.Nice Guy

A belated post but I thought this week's Smackdown was one of the worst since the brand split. If I'd attended this show I'd be hugely disappointed.

It starts off with a horrendously acted segment where Ellsworth is supposed to be sick. This was what they came up with to explain him not being able to take on an injured Styles? The only excuse for lame, hammy overacting this bad is when the wrestler involved is not sick but is deliberately trying to get out of having to do a match. Well this was the opposite; and it was terrible.

I enjoyed Miz in the segment with Styles but it descended into farce when Ziggler came out - to probably the quietest pop I can ever recall for him, so they've killed him off. Ziggler proceeds to get his ass handed to him by Miz, and then gets laid out by Ambrose to boot. This was such a burial, and considering what happened to him at the end of the show - this was mind-boggling in its stupidity.

Carmella match with Natalya was pretty meh. Why am I stiil supposed to care about Nikki getting laid out before Survivor Series which was WEEKS ago? People get attacked on this show all the time. Survivor Series is over now, so as a fan am I supposed to be incensed that Nikki didn't get to appear in the elimination match which, again, ended WEEKS ago? She got beaten up. It was bad and all but like I said, we get these things happening all the time. It's hardly on a par with someone trying to run over Austin with a car is it? End this already.

The backstage segment with the comedian and Apollo was so awful. Sad thing is they'll probably cite this as evidence that Apollo just can't get himself over, as opposed to it being him being thrown into a terrible skit.

Then we get a tag team battle royal where it now transpires Rhyno hasn't walked out on Slater after all. They really need to get their stories straight. I was sure American Alpha would win but to my amazement they give the win to The Hype Bros. Who on earth would give those guys a hope against Orton and Wyatt? American Alpha are getting less and less special each week and to top it all off, Ryder gets a knee injury which means we'll likely now get American Alpha after all, just coming after a loss. (I also have a fear we will soon see a tag team consisting of Mojo Rawley and Heath Slater since those guys will soon be at a loose end.)

I liked Alexa's heel work when she came out, and Shane setting up the match with her and Becky was done well - but then we get a lame count-out finish. Becky looks stupid just standing there waiting for Alexa to come in when she could have gone after her if she wanted her in there, and to make matters worse, we don't hear from Shane again. So the heel got to get one over on the babyface and management after all. You lied to me, Shane. This show isn't any better than Raw.

(On the plus side, I did like Alexa running in just fine to emphasize she wasn't injured, and her explanation of her actions - 'the adrenaline kicked in' - was well explained on Talking Smack afterwards. I enjoy her character a lot.)

The main event was a good match and Luke Harper showed off his qualities, but the finish...I couldn't believe it. Dolph? The guy who FAILED to win the IC Title - miserably failed, I might add - he is now the guy the fans have to believe has a chance to win the WWE Title? The guy who you booked like a complete joke and loser earlier tonight ON THIS VERY SHOW?

This was something else. If you want to give AJ a short mini feud to tide him over to Rumble, that's fine. But why make it the guy who has been on a losing streak? Why not give it to a guy who has been picking up wins. Kane, for instance. Now do I want to see that match desperately? No. But at least Kane has been picking up wins when he's competed so it makes some sense at least. And if the idea was to have it be Ziggler to at least guarantee some good matches, okay then go with Dolph - but why make him look like a complete geek earlier in the show? It makes zero sense to present a contender this way, and it will do nothing to help him garner sympathy.

This was one of the worst Smackdowns of the year imo. I much preferred Raw this week.

Lord TSC

I feel its a massive shame that Bray is so tied up in the tag division and the feud with Orton. A face turn for Bray (and Orton & Harper) and going against AJ and, ideally, a drafted Club, would be fresh and interesting. You could also swerve the obvious story a bit and have Orton betray Bray but as the heel, rather than the face.