SMACKDOWN LIVE SUPERTHREAD

Just back from my first Smackdown and it was great. Two dark matches, the live show, then more two dark matches to finish with Jey Uso and Rhea Ripley involved.

The men’s tag team match was a lot of fun and Cody Rhodes was class at the start. Two more good nights ahead.

Do you think the fans were plants for the Last Man Standing finish? They looked like they could be indie wrestlers. Needed someone there who wouldn't interfere in some way and who could take a hit if got too close.

They were plants, confirmed folks from the local wrestling scene.

Yep and surprised at the outcome. I thought the post-match was building to WarGames with MFT vs Team Sami, but then the Wyatts appeared. Of course, even though MFT outnumbered them, Solo knew better than to mess with Nikki.

Seems they remembered that they have a tag team division.

Going by the evidence, it's obvious who attacked Fatu - Danhausen, with all the teeth lying there.

On a sidenote, is it MFT or MFTs? Seems they call them the MFTs even though doesn't MFT stand for My Family Tree?

I'd assume we will see the guerrillas of destiny break away and inevitably turn on solo hence the fact that they have the paint and he doesn't.

Pfft, they're called what the show calls them.

Since Solo's not using it and I've been playing the 30th anniversary collection lately, can they give someone the Street Fighter gimmick? Been a while since any MMA pit fighting styles.

It seems Smackdown have just swapped out Cross and Scarlett for Black and Vega.

Thought we were going to get a triple threat Open Challenge. Then when Ciampa came out after the match, I half expected Ilja to let him challenge him there and then. Ilja strikes me as someone who would just take up the whole of Smackdown with a US Open Challenge Gauntlet match and I'd happily support it.

I do like that we see actual arguing over who goes for the open challenge. Like they know it's coming yet only 1 guy ever answers? Doesn't say much for the others' ambitions if they're not willing to fight for a title.

Giulia as champ was a total waste. Chelsea was a great US champ, so I'm not too mad about it. That being said, find something proper for Giulia.

Jade as a heel is already better than as a face. Charlotte going back to the title picture (ffs) but her and Jade is a match that was always gonna happen. Probably means Alexa and Charlotte as tag champs run is coming to an end. The womens tag titles have actually got some decent exposure as of late.

Drew being suspended, guessing it's so he can film his part in Highlander. He needs to come back and get the title. Although tbh, I'd prefer anyone to Cody at the moment, his latest reign has been dull.

I knew they were going to hide who LA Knight is facing. Joe Hendry? Matt Cardona?

I think Cardona is definitely showing up at some point, I think he's gonna be the only real 'he doesn't work here' person.

Hendry has a good shot of showing up too.

Realistically there's not many surprises that can work because basically they're showing up to lose eventually.

Seems there are some reports online that Smackdown will be going back to 3 hours in the new year.

Surprised he appeared as Zack and not Matt, since that's his brand now.

Speaking of, what wrestlers have left and come back using their new/real name? I'm sure it's happened before but I can't remember who.

Shawn spears in NXT is the most recent one i can think of.