WWE SmackDown Live presented a stronger episode than last week. The company advanced many storylines and filled out more of the card for SummerSlam. In particular, five things stood out on the program that WWE can build on going forward.
1. A change in approach for "The Show-Off"
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose and number one contender Dolph Ziggler exchanged words to start the show. Ambrose chastised "The Show-Off" for being all flash and no substance. Ambrose claimed Ziggler spent more time complaining than winning matches. Ziggler said he would win at SummerSlam and said he "was that damn good". Ambrose scoffed and said they would steal the show, but Ziggler would still lose. Once Ambrose left the ring, Bray Wyatt emerged from the darkness and attacked Ziggler. Wyatt swung Ziggler to the mat with "Sister Abigail". Wyatt challenged Ziggler to a match for his world title shot. Ziggler accepted the match like every dumb babyface does in WWE. Throughout the night, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon questioned Ziggler's decision. Ziggler responded with a "screw you" to both men, thinking they did not believe in him. Ziggler used an exposed turnbuckle to beat Wyatt, remaining number one contender.
The assault on Ziggler's character and questionable tactics planted the seeds for a Ziggler heel turn. The return of Ziggler as an antagonist can breathe new life into his career. Ziggler's faux Shawn Michaels/Billy Gunn gimmick is beyond stale. A revamped presentation is just what Ziggler needs. A heel Ziggler heading into Summerslam is more interesting than a face-face matchup that feels mid card at best or a face Ziggler against a heel Ambrose. Ambrose attempting to save Ziggler from the Wyatt and Eric Rowan assault leads me to think the champ is staying face, and the presumptive tag team match for next week has some intrigue concerning the main event storyline and how it progresses.
2. Lesnar and Orton like invading shows and attacking each other
Brock Lesnar sought reprisal for eating an RKO on RAW courtesy of Randy Orton. What viewers got was quite predictable. Orton faced Fandango in a glorified enhancement match. After Orton hit Fandango with an RKO, Lesnar hit the ring and flung "The Viper" over his head with the F5 before leaving. I'm not as excited to see this match as I am the other ones and this angle did little to persuade me. It felt more formulaic than unpredictable.
Lesnar/Orton does not feel quite as big as Lesnar/Undertaker did last year. Even with the RKO last Monday, an Orton win at SummerSlam feels unrealistic. I wonder how often WWE will have these two invade shows mere weeks after the brand split.
3. Styles/Cena II set for Brooklyn
AJ Styles cited John Cena's fanbase as the reason for his hatred of the 15-time World Heavyweight Champion, calling them "delusional". Styles rant about team trophies mush have made Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison proud. Cena talked about his loyalty the fans and his love for the WWE for what felt like the 10 millionth time. This led to Syles challenging Cena to a rematch at SummerSlam. Cena accepted, but Styles said if he won, Cena had to admit "The Phenomenal One" was the better man. If Cena does not, he's a liar. If he does, he's a loser. Either way, Styles wins. While the promo exchange felt like a rerun of past Cena feuds, it served as good hype for their match. Even on a loaded card like SummerSlam Cena/Styles could be the match of the night.
4. American Alpha impress in their debut
WWE hyped the debut of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan throughout RAW. The NXT standouts faced The Vaudevillains in a glorified squash match. Jordan and Gable showcased their athleticism and amateur wrestling skills in a decisive win. WWE is not tinkering with what made the act work at Full Sail University, which is a good thing for these two. Now they need a good feud to sink their teeth into, perhaps a heel Usos. It's better than feuding with lower mic card teams like The Ascension or a comedy team like Tyler Breeze and Fandango. These two will soon be long term tag team champions whenever SmackDown creates a new tag team championship.
5. Women's division takes shape
After introducing all the women on the roster at the same time last week, SmackDown focussed on two feuds this week. WWE scheduled two matches, neither of them took place. Eva Marie faced Becky Lynch. After Eva made her glorious entrance, she forfeited the match citing a leg injury. Following the "match", Renee Young interviewed Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island suggested the "Total Divas" star faked her ailment. Natalya interrupted and talked about everyone disrespecting and overlooking her. Carmella took exception and challenged her to a match. Before the bell, Natalya attacked Carmella, applying the sharpshooter and leaving her lying. Both feuds appear to have the same goal, have the experienced wrestlers carry the green callups.
Of the two, Lynch seems to have the taller task. To call Eva Marie green is an insult to green wrestlers, since they at least have some upside. Eva can't wrestle to save her life. She has the charisma and acting range of a Kardashian sister. She only has heel heat because of her perceived favor with WWE management. Asuka and Bayley struggled to get passable matches out of her. Lynch will soon find out why.
Unlike Eva, Carmella can have solid matches with the right opponent. She showed that many months ago against Bayley on NXT. Carmella needs to move away from her New York princess gimmick and become her own person. If there are not any plans to pair her with Enzo Amore and Big Cass, she needs to develop a character outside of being their sidekick. Carmella stands to learn a great deal working with a seasoned wrestler like Natalya. "The Queen of Hearts" seems rejuvenated in her heel role. She will be a boon for the many young wrestlers on SmackDown. Here is hoping she does not transition into a Victoria type role where she loses to the lesser workers constantly. Natalya is best suited to be the top women's heel on the blue brand.
