Smackdown Live Analysis for January 24, 2017: Final Hype for Styles/Cena
Once again Smackdown Live presented a solid two hour show this week that did a good job establishing talent, introducing new characters, furthering storylines, and having solid hype for this Sunday's Royal Rumble all without the use of special attractions. It was a sigh of relief after last weeks show which delved a little too close to Raw standards for my taste, especially after the rumors floating around late last week about writer changes to the Smackdown brand.
I think one of the highlights of Smackdown is the proper place for the comedy segments. On Raw you have the top champion of the brand constantly being the butt of the jokes. On Smackdown, James Ellsworth is the comedy. A lower teared act doing the lower teared comedy...this works ladies and gentlemen. It's fine seeing Ellsworth and Carmella in a skit about shopping because no one thinks Ellsworth is a threat, and at this point in Carmella's career, it's fine for her to. Everyone (for the most part) is in their proper place. Sure, The Miz segment with Daniel Bryan at the start of the show was stupid, but it was there for a purpose to establish the main event, and it was quick.
The highlight of the show was the A.J. Styles/John Cena promo in the ring. I thought Styles was great here, and accurate about how Cena disrespected him. In that same light, I thought Cena's response and tone were perfect. While it was for sure a dog whistle promo by Cena, talking to many fans like myself, he came off as serious and driven for a cause. It added to the Styles and Cena match this Sunday, which I'm looking forward to just as much as the Rumble itself. This is the edge I want from Cena...walking that fine line between face and heel, and not resorting to his childish antics that he showed last week. It shows Cena has fire, and added a sense of "I must win" to A.J. Styles. Top notch segment, and the best part of the show.
The second highlight was Mickie James. Sure her promo needed some work, but her reasoning for attacking Becky Lynch was perfect. It makes sense for someone like her to do that because the WWE has done a nice job of either trying to forget about the "Diva era" or just cover it up. What people need to remember is that before the Diva Search contestants started winning titles there was an era of women who carried the Division to some great matches. Yes everyone remembers Trish Stratus and Lita, but who gets forgotten are the supporting cast. People like Mickie James, Victoria, Molly Holly and yes to a lesser extent Michelle McCool, Melina and Mayrese. It makes sense for James to come in and be upset about the lack of respect. The animosity between her and Lynch was good, and the surprise attack by Alexa Bliss on Lynch was a nice surprise and showcased a good heel act.
The show was bookended by two singles matches in Randy Orton versus Luke Harper, and then Dean Ambrose defending the Intercontinental Championship against The Miz in a Lumberjack Match. With Orton and Harper, I figured Harper would come out on the losing end and get assaulted by Bray Wyatt, my only question was if Orton would then turn on Wyatt. While the storyline is convoluted, I believe the plan and end is for Orton to face Wyatt at Wrestlemania, with Randy joining the Wyatts to cause turmoil within the family (if you remember Orton could not beat Bray because of Harpers interference). Now that Harper seems to be "gone" from Bray's side, it only a matter of time before Orton strikes at Wyatt.
Regarding the Ambrose/Miz match...I'm typically not a fan of Lumberjack Matches, but this was fine. This spot seems to be much better for Ambrose with his current character then in the main event scene. I just hope The Miz can continue his momentum he had last year, and not get regulated back to being a jobber for the stars.
You also had Mojo Rawley win a Battle Royal to be in the Rumble, as well as the return of Niomii and she looks to be the next feud with Alexa Bliss. I'm fine with both of these as Naiomii makes a good foil for Bliss until Wrestlemania, and this has been the most interesting Mojo has been since I've seen him. I like that he's dropped his "hype" gimmick. He's by no means a main event player, but you build up some currency with his character, he can be a stepping stone for someone that is. It's also nice to see Dolph Ziggler got some love by destroying Kalisto in their match. That's how you book a newly turned heel. Again, the Natalya/Nikki Bella storyline continues to be the best story Nikki has ever been in, but that's only because they're playing off the truth.
All in all good show, and I give it an 8 out of 10. Smackdown is not getting much love with only one match on the main Royal Rumble card, but hopefully that can change by Wrestlemania.
Busy week ahead with NXT Takeover and the Rumble so I'll leave you with that until this weekend where I'll talk about Takeover, as well as Rumble predictions, and thoughts on the event afterwards.
