SMACKDOWN LIVE SUPERTHREAD

The audio in that whole segment sounded off so there was definitely some sound being piped in. They definitely added boos to the promo package for Becky but either way.

Demon Balor tease was excellent and surprisingly subtle for WWE, even though I would have rathered he have a bit more time on the main roster before bringing the demon back but still it has my interest. Even though I'm slightly worried that tehy're gonna feed the demon to Roman. I would love if Balor got the belt but it seems pretty unlikely.

Toni finally appeared on TV again to be hit on by Dolph Ziggler so.. progress?

Next week's show looks stacked! Smackdown is really what's keeping my WWE interest afloat right now.

Kayla's trollface while Heyman is squirming has become a weekly highlight.

The second they introduced piped reactions it was a mistake, as the viewer only ends up questioning all reactions from the "live" audience.

Eh, I think it's the internet just being stubborn. We're just drenched in cynicism these days, plenty of which is WWE-created.

When the heel turn happened there was a collective "Bullshit" response from the internet, myself included. Lots said it would fail. But now that WWE are getting the desired reactions and the heel turn is working, people don't want to backtrack and admit they may be wrong so they'll say "Nah, it's not real." It's not a phenomenon isolated to wrestling.

Internet and crowd fans are vastly different. Crowds are happy to play along with the panto, most of the time. I remember going to a WWE show in Dublin 2010/2011, whenever Miz was Champion. This was near the apex of my "Sick of Cena" phase but I still booed Miz (I was ringside and he got right in my face for a second trash-talking, it was great!) and cheered Cena because it was good craic.

Edit: When Ziggler made his WWE debut Toni Storm would've been about 9. Dolph, ya absolute dog.

Honestly, a mid-life crisis angle for him would be funny.

Knowing WWE and their persistence with repetitive angles, if I was in that audience I would have fully expected Becky to reject a title challenge again. It wouldn't have gotten a reaction from me either way.

I get what you're saying about online cynicism ruining things but WWE are the ones that made them cynical in the first place.

Bianca is getting too close to the "Aw shucks" Bayley type face. She needs to develop a bit.

I'm guessing rematch at Extreme Rules

Names prob picked from a hat or something

Streets prophets aren't winning tonight anyway

That was a fun segment

Are they actually going to do Roman vs Brock at Extreme Rules or will they drag it out till Crown Jewel or Survivor Series ?

I like this Big E

I thought Finn had the title match at Extreme Rules

The Demon Finn Balor is back, I wonder did the crowd think it was Taker

Hard to see Balor win the title at Extreme Rules but lets hope he comes out we'll from it

That was a pretty great Smackdown!

The Brock/Roman intro was awesome and I'm still wondering what they'll do with Heyman and I'm enjoying face Brock so it has me more interested in a Roman/Brock feud than I thought I would be. 10 man tag was fun, after looking into the Trae Young stuff it was hilarious, amazing move to get him involved in NYC. Rollins vs Edge was an amazing match and the ending was really interesting, Guessing we won't see Edge till maybe Survivor Series now and wonder if that promo after was teasing Rollins turning face, although he could also go full psychopath. Tag match was good and I actually think Roman getting involved elevates that programme. Becky segment was okay, I really can't tell anymore if they are using fake boos for her though, would have been more interested if she hadn't signed but anyway.

With all the 9/11 stuff, I genuinely thought of Zelina, I knew her father had died in the attack. The fact that the played 3 (maybe more) packages and didn't give her even a small promo or segment and cut the match is sad. I know she's not the biggest deal but that could have been a really great moment. WWE's handling of the women's division is in the dumps right now. Toni once again was not on the show (apparently she would have been in the tag match that was cut), Naomi's story doesn't appear to be going anywhere, Shotzi and Nox beat the tag team champs multiple times and there's no follow-up on it and they aren't even on tv consistently. Shambles.

As for the demon thing, I'm really torn. I think it was too early to bring back the demon for Finn's return to main roster. He needed more time to establish the Prinxe gimmick to a wider audience, now he's just gone back to the demon schtick. I would love for him to get the belt off Roman in this way but I doubt it's happening, they're feeding the demon to Roman seemingly and that is a total joke.