SMACKDOWN LIVE SUPERTHREAD

It was a bit of an up and down Smackdown.

The crowd were less consistent certainly when they were loud they were loud (highlighted even more some of the bad themes at the moment) but when they were quiet (Zelina's entrance, jesus). Liv getting such a great reception was awesome and well deserved.

Fatu and Strowman was better than expected (can't wait for Fatu to go on a singles tear tbh) and Jade and Liv had a surprisingly decent match, Liv does well with bigger women. Also love Naomi's heel look. The downside on the women's side was the Charlotte/Tiffy promo, yikes. Tiffany is just not working as a face, her promos just aren't there. It was awkward as hell.

Some decent segments but definitely felt like there was more wheel spinning on the show. I liked the last segment and think they've done a decent job building the triple threat and the match will no doubt be great but, it definitely feels like a singles match with any combination of these men would be better. Sure, we've had Roman/Seth before and Punk/Seth but still. I also hope that we don't have this match be a pay-off to Punk chasing a main event and this being it, it shouldn't count.

Big Chief and Grimace 🤣 well a good tag team name for sure

I would gladly take Fatu with Tama Tonga in his orbit just wrecking everything, being the mini-Shield the nu Bloodline should have been and drop Solo. Lean into that that jackal and hyena thing they're got going on. But it would make sense that it would be Solo/Tonga as a pairing since the crowd is behind Fatu.

Factions need rehabilitated a fair bit under this regime eye em oh as they're not really being supported.

I've wanted Montez Ford to break off into a singles run for years at this stage. I'm lukewarm on Dawkins but maybe slot him into New Day in the powerhouse role missing since Big E left?

So today I learned Mark Nash is a thing...

Hard to predict really. I imagine Orton/Cena would be at some point this year, which could mean holding off Orton/Cody til later.

So Cody/Cena night 1 and Punk/Rollins/Reigns night 2?

Other way round i think

Tiff did better this week in her promo and I like heel Naomi

I do hope Tiff goes over at WM, Charlotte don't need the win

I think I've heard the logic from WWE that Every match is a main event at Mania and opening the show is just as important as closing it. I remember one year where the Rumble winner didn't main event, but was second to last, they spun it as a double main event.

Heyman said to Punk you're closing the show at Wrestlemania, gotta be main event night 2

If it's anything other than the last match on Night 2, I personally think that being the pay off for Punk chasing the main event is disappointing.

Had the same thought about Roman, he's come so far as a promo and character. Glad it's not a title match for him too this year, he needs time outside of it.

As much as grousing as there's been (including me) about that triple threat, I am buzzing for it. Great build and the fact that the main event isn't the favour has me intrigued.

I can't see it happening that way in regards to the favour.

I've thought for a couple of weeks since this triple threat was rumoured that it would be a main event of night 1, and that it would end in Reigns and Rollins uniting against Punk. Rollins promo last night gave me more confidence in that belief.

Whatever Heyman's favour is, it either instigates that moment, or develops the aftermath.

If only they mentioned 'All in Wembley'