SmackDownLIVE - Official Thread - 9.6.16

[slik]

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/talent_champion_xl/public/2016/08/20160830_sd_vid_headbangers--3f5589a1e4a51326d708f91144977b8a.jpg

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/talent_champion_xl/public/2016/08/20160830_sd_vid_bray--7debf132916b45bf72c78f20ddc64b45.jpg



* The semi-finals of the Tag Team Tournament to determine who wrestles for the belts at BACKLASH


* The Divas get ready for the 6-pack challenge at BACKLASH


* What is next for AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose on the road to BACKLASH


* Will Bray Wyatt have any surprises in store for Randy Orton before BACKLASH


* All this and more on SmackDownLIVE!


http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/wwe_16_9_xl_r/public/all/2016/08/20160830_SD_final1--915d0d8371e9d075eb2d2e838aa7a0fe.jpg

[Triple A]

I'm watching WWE SmackDown Live

[Poit]

Sup @sliksuke and Triple A

[Triple A]

Hey

[Triple A]

Wish they would make the SmackDown ring a dark blue permanently... more cozy...

[ClockShot]

Another belt.

[slik]

sup Poit!

[slik]

Wish they would make the SmackDown ring a dark blue permanently... more cozy...

agreed...so much more smoothing...title belts 'smoothing' to look at

[Lock Jaw]

What is that women's belt called..... did they say......

[ClockShot]

Becky Lynch had that nice new ring attire 2 weeks ago.

Now, she's back to the shirt and shorts.

[Triple A]

What is that women's belt called..... did they say......

SmackDown Women's Championship

[Triple A]

Wish they let women's face characters have another personality besides boring "so grateful 2 b here, I worked so hard" gimmick that every single one of them has

[Evil Vito]

I really don't like the Women's match being elimination style. It'll be fun I'm sure but the whole rest of the division is taking the fall in one match.

[ClockShot]

Dammit Carmella.

You're supposed to ambush Nikki Bella..........again.

[ClockShot]

Way to be a mediator, Daniel.

[Evil Vito]

Tag team match playa!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Becky's promo actually had some fire.

[slik]

Anyone else remember when SD had champion KING Booker and Sharmell would scream "All Hail King Booker" non-stop

[Mr. Nerfect]

I still think this should be a Triple Threat between Natalya, Becky and Nikki.

[Emperor Smeat]

Decent opening for Smackdown.

Was that salt or sugar Dean poured in the coffee?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Alexa Bliss is fucking horrible. I'm sorry. She's gorgeous to look at and could be a good manager, but her positioning for that promo...ugh.

[ClockShot]

Anyone else remember when SD had champion KING Booker and Sharmell would scream "All Hail King Booker" non-stop

Don't need a reminder.

[slik]

I still think this should be a Triple Threat between Natalya, Becky and Nikki.

That would be a really good match

[slik]

I feel like Backlash will be old school, like In Your House and only be like 2 hours instead of 3

[Mr. Nerfect]

Natalya's getting better, but some of the things she was saying were just...gross.

[Lock Jaw]

Alexa Bliss is fucking horrible. I'm sorry. She's gorgeous to look at and could be a good manager, but her positioning for that promo...ugh.

What do you mean "positioning"..... like, where she was standing?

[Lock Jaw]

Natalya's getting better, but some of the things she was saying were just...gross.

Settle your tea kettle, mister.......

[Mr. Nerfect]

* Dean vs. AJ could be 25 minutes or so.

* Orton vs. Wyatt will also go about 20 minutes I feel.

* Ziggler vs. Miz won't be short.

* The Six-Pack will go as long as it needs to go, but longer than it should.

* The tag team match will be hotly contested.

* I have a feeling it won't be the only tag team match on the show either.

You can definitely squeeze three hours out of this PPV.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What do you mean "positioning"..... like, where she was standing?

Yeah, like her a walk out, with the focus on her like she was a high school kid walking onto stage for a school play. Fucking atrocious.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Would actually prefer her as a babyface at this point.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/43/1a/7e/431a7e38680af6bcab032928c604f199.jpg

[Triple A]

Yeah, like her a walk out, with the focus on her like she was a high school kid walking onto stage for a school play. Fucking atrocious.

idg what you are saying really

Her character is a "bitchy" heel or w/e... idg what you're saying

[owenbrown]

Why is WWE going TNA generic with their titantrons now?

[Lock Jaw]

Maryse lookin' good

Dolph all "fired up" and "heated" to "prove himself" as world champion.... fails and goes "whatever, I'll just go for the IC title".........

[slik]

Preppy Ziggler is back I think...

[ClockShot]

Smiley vs. The Miz.

Okay then.

[slik]

do u guys think Apollo Crews could beat Brock Lesnar

[ClockShot]

Nope.

[slik]

cool backflip...feel like Apollo Crews is 'growing' on me

[Emperor Smeat]

Why is WWE going TNA generic with their titantrons now?

Think it has to do with the whole stage now being a tron-like thing for wrestlers. Looks a lot more obvious on RAW such as when Rollins came out.

[Mr. Nerfect]

idg what you are saying really

Her character is a "bitchy" heel or w/e... idg what you're saying

It felt so "put on." Real bad acting. Her actions betrayed her script of "walk into the ring and then say this."

[slik]

Has anyone else seen "One Punch Man" / Think the lead character is "Just like Triple A"

[Mr. Nerfect]

Real bad acting. Her actions betrayed her script of "walk into the ring and then say this."

[slik]

I like Alexa Bliss and feel like she is good at her role

[Lock Jaw]

Still dunno what you are talking about, Noid...... Alexa Bliss great at playing her character.....

The whole division seems "a mess" right now, though, in general, so that hurts her (and the rest)........

[Lock Jaw]

Has anyone else seen "One Punch Man" / Think the lead character is "Just like Triple A"

No...... post some clips where this is apparent......

[Mr. Nerfect]

I kind of hate it when wrestlers don't sell wins and losses. Guys can lose and be fine, but when they just keep smiling or sit at a desk and pretend it didn't happen, I feel like they're fucking naive twats.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Still dunno what you are talking about, Noid...... Alexa Bliss great at playing her character.....

The whole division seems "a mess" right now, though, in general, so that hurts her (and the rest)........

Most weeks I find her pretty great, but I'm starting to notice how one-note it is. And this week she was as bad at cutting a promo as she was in the ring last week.

[Emperor Smeat]

Still dunno what you are talking about, Noid...... Alexa Bliss great at playing her character.....

The whole division seems "a mess" right now, though, in general, so that hurts her (and the rest)........

Yeup she's pretty much the same as she was in NXT except without Blake and Murphy as her lackeys.

In hindsight, WWE shouldn't have split the Women's division since both brands have pretty weak divisions as a result. Division itself was pretty small to begin with and got worse with the split.

[ClockShot]

Can't determine if that's casual ware for Maryse. Or if she's gonna get back in the ring.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Melina Alexa Bliss is not.

[KIRA]

Miz gonna eat a kick

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hahaha, Shane does not give a fuck about women's wrestling.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apollo Crews stirring people here. It's a shame he's got the on-screen personality of a trout.

[owenbrown]

fuck off Ziggler

[Mr. Nerfect]

In all seriousness though, Miz is doing so well in his role of making people give a shit about whoever he is in the ring with. And Mauro is a fantastic commentator.

[Lock Jaw]

:heart: Maryse

[ClockShot]

Has anyone else seen "One Punch Man" / Think the lead character is "Just like Triple A"

Nah. Don't think The Boss got a shaven head, and a blank face.

He could knock us all out of here in one punch though. He got that power.

[slik]

Renee looks hot

[Lock Jaw]

Those headsets not that expensive......

[ClockShot]

Like the wardrobe, Renee.

Colorful.

[KIRA]

Ive decided I love Aj's hair

[KIRA]

Also its weird RAW even at its best feels like a chore SD has been fun

[Lock Jaw]

Ive decided I love Aj's hair

http://49.media.tumblr.com/3b9d92599a50bae5ac2edef7686384ca/tumblr_o5dl6nruUs1qke3reo2_400.gif

[slik]

Because SD feels laid back and is only 2 hrs so no awful/weird segments to kill time

[Lock Jaw]

Dunno, feel like I "struggle to care" about Smackdown.....

[slik]

There is one thing Mr USA does not struggle with and that American Alpha

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can get both sides of the SmackDown debate. I still feel like everything is a bit disjointed on SmackDown.

[KIRA]

http://49.media.tumblr.com/3b9d92599a50bae5ac2edef7686384ca/tumblr_o5dl6nruUs1qke3reo2_400.gif

Look at him he knows it looks good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have this uncomfortable feeling that Cena is going to help Ambrose at Backlash... I want my AJ title run, dammit.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That Miz/Maryse/Ziggler stuff was brilliant. They really need to get that "King of Smart Style" shirt out for Miz.

[Emperor Smeat]

Being 2 hours helps a lot but Smackdown should get a lot better once they get out of this building phase they are in right now. Everything outside of the WWE title scene pretty much needs more depth and building unlike with RAW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The biggest downside to Miz vs. Dolph is that we have seen it 8,378 times.

[KIRA]

here in his beard?

[Emperor Smeat]

Would be pretty cool if Bray pulled DERP moment during his match with Orton.

Like right when Orton is about to hit an RKO OUTTA NOWHERE, the Wyatt derp thing happens and Bray is in a different spot when the lights go back on.

[KIRA]

Argh should trade Nikki to RAW and get Alica

[Triple A]

falling asleep

@bray wyatt

[ClockShot]

6-women's tag match up next. A bit early, imo.

[Lock Jaw]

falling asleep

@bray wyatt

Didn't really hear what he was saying other than that he was a God.....

[Lock Jaw]

I'll go to the papers.... if I have to

[slik]

CJ "Lana" Perry...

[Mr. Nerfect]

Bray Wyatt's promo the best one of the show so far. Makes me want to believe in Bray Wyatt, but I have a feeling that Orton is just going to beat him to reheat Orton.

[Lock Jaw]

Team PCB, Team B.A.D., and Team Bella members united

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, Bray Wyatt cutting a promo about eating Randy Orton and then Nikki's tron says "Fearless."

[slik]

No...... post some clips where this is apparent......


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YUH1mfV3IEU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ClockShot]

F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S

Catchy tune Carmella got.

[Lock Jaw]

Hate that they have put Carmella in pants.......

[Poit]

Those kicks are so bad.

[Lock Jaw]

So B.A.D.

[Simple Fan]

A little behind but did the camera work during the Miz/Crews match look off to any one else. Seemed to be zoomed in more than usual. Also wasn't centered to the ring.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hahaha, Naomi's kicks. Fuck.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Naomi so bad that she makes Uso promos look good.

[Evil Vito]

"There can only be one first"

I look forward to being Becky's first. She's clearly still saving herself for me. :(

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nah, Naomi's a good athlete, but she hasn't put it all together in the ring yet. That Uso promo was so bad though. That interviewer looked like she regretted her career choices. But I do think it might be heel turn foreshadowing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

"There can only be one first"

I look forward to being Becky's first. She's clearly still saving herself for me. :(

Hate to say it, but she was glowing tonight. She probably got laid sometime prior to the show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, David Otunga: "This is must win for Becky."

Going to be heart-breaking when Becky doesn't win.

[Evil Vito]

Hate to say it, but she was glowing tonight. She probably got laid sometime prior to the show.

Oh good, she got the gift I sent her in the mail.

[KIRA]

Also women on SD still have no definitive personalities

Naomi actually has potential to be amazing to be honest at least in-ring

[Evil Vito]

The only way the Darren Young/Titus O'Neil feud on Raw could be worse would be if one of them were to be replaced by David Otunga.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems like Nikki shouldn't be doing that TKO-like move considering her recent neck history.

[ClockShot]

The Cone of Silence?

I wasn't aware that Carmella liked Get Smart. Or is it a "Staten Island" thing?

[slik]

that match went way too long

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Carmella always screaming more than the person she puts her submission in.

[Simple Fan]

Yeah I'm not liking the camera angles for this show during matches.

[Lock Jaw]

Carmella pinned the champion!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THIS SUNDAY?!!

[KIRA]

The Cone of Silence?

I wasn't aware that Carmella liked Get Smart. Or is it a "Staten Island" thing?

Its a Mafia princess thing

[Anybody Thrilla]

Was that only the second match?

[KIRA]

Because SD feels laid back and is only 2 hrs so no awful/weird segments to kill time

Which I don't understand why they can't just fill that with wrestling

[Lock Jaw]

WHAT'S UP

MUFASA

[owenbrown]

UCE! NO!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, Nikki taps out so she can take the belt on Sunday.

[slik]

Was that only the second match?

yeah

[KIRA]

Oh good, she got the gift I sent her in the mail.

Did you see/hear she had a slight wardrobe malfunction a while back

My nephew is in love with her big umm....lips.

[ClockShot]

You got this, Alpha.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The crowd really wants to love Becky. Considered she wrestles in a shirt, she is so fucking over. That hot tag spot was pretty well done. Nikki looked pretty shit coming in though. This is the "Divas" division in WWE now. That really soft sort of awkward bumping wrestling to give the girls token amounts of time. The girls that are good all hug each other and the girls that are bad pull faces and put "L's" on their foreheads.

[ClockShot]

:rofl:

YES!

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at that match.

[Poit]

One of these teams/wrestlers will be on ESPN tomorrow. I wonder who will win!?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Mauro really drilled home that there is a Six-Pack Challenge at Backlash didn't he?

[owenbrown]

WOOHOO! USOS LOST!

[Poit]

Oh my... that was fast.

[slik]

yay for American Alpha!

[KIRA]

AMERICAN ALPHA
STEAMROLLED USOS

[Evil Vito]

Usos to cost Alpha the belts to Slater and Rhyno?

[Lock Jaw]

Damn..... was looking forward to this match all show because thought it should be a good match...... then lasted less than 30 seconds......

[Poit]

Uso heel turn! Finally.

[Evil Vito]

Or they'll just turn heel tonight. Works for me.

[ClockShot]

Usos with the heel turn.

It'll be good for them.

[slik]

Heinous actions by the Usos

[Emperor Smeat]

:y: Usos turning heels.

[Lock Jaw]

Uso heel turn seems like a good move to freshen things up

[Poit]

*Chad Gable screams in pain*

JBL: He's hurt.

*more screaming*

JBL: Bad.

[Emperor Smeat]

This might be the best thing the Usos have done since winning the tag title the first time.

[Lock Jaw]

I guess Usos cost Alpha the titles vs. Heath and Rhyno......

Usos "take out Alpha" and win the titles from Slater-Rhyno...... only for Alpha to make their "return" to fight them and take the belts....

[KIRA]

Heel Uso.....finally

Rhyno/Slater will replace HHH as my favorite (HHH when he pedigreed Roman) after they eliminate the Hype Bros.

[Ruien]

USOS HEEL TURN BABY! Wonder if they will get some personality as heels.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Really was hoping for a great match there, but this was good for the long term.

[Ruien]

My man Slik! #fistpumpfordays

[Simple Fan]

Wow, that was dumb. I like AA and all but beating the Usos who are the best tag team on the show that fast is just dumb.

[Lock Jaw]

JBL using his serious voice

[Black Widow]

They really disGable him.

[Lock Jaw]

Mauro looking like a sad puppy

[Evil Vito]

Man Alpha vs the heel Usos for the belts down the line is going to rule all kinds of ass.

[Poit]

"Bray Wyatt said something Wyatt-y. How does this change your strategy for Sunday?"

[ClockShot]

Either Randy got a lot taller, or that girl is 4 feet tall.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, that was fucking stupid. What does this heel turn mean with The Usos being such losers? It's also like the WWE forget they are booking a tournament. American Alpha are going against BABYFACES in the finals. FUCKING BABYFACES. Chad has an INJURED FUCKING LEG.

The Usos looked good on the beat-down. I think they will spring to life as heels. But they just lost in 30 seconds and are out of the tournament. Whoops.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The only way this makes sense is if Chad Gable is out of the tournament and The Usos have to step in, they win the belts, but we all know they aren't the rightful champions.

[ClockShot]

Fandango visited a tattoo parlor.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Maybe Jason Jordan picks a fight with both Usos at Backlash and gets laid out too. Hype Bros vs. Slater & Rhyno for the belts?

[Emperor Smeat]

So is ... yeup Kane is coming out.

[Lock Jaw]

THE DEMON <s>KING</s> KANE IS HERE!!!

[KIRA]

A close to 50yr old KANE APPEARED!

[Mercenary]

Random Kane is random

[Emperor Smeat]

Don't think a chokeslam counts as a valid form of dancing.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Definitely should have made AA and Usos the final and done the turn there.

[ClockShot]

Really, really think Kane should think about hanging up the mask.

[Lock Jaw]

Definitely should have made AA and Usos the final and done the turn there.

Yeup..... after having a great match, of course......

[KIRA]

Goddamn that Connor kid was adorable

[Evil Vito]

I think they did the Usos/AA turn here because they felt they needed to get Slater and Rhyno into the finals to keep that storyline going.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Fandango was tremendous. Why the fuck can't the WWE do something intelligent with this guy? What's the deal with Breeze? I was hoping for American Alpha vs. Breezango at Backlash to be honest with you. The Usos and Slater/Rhyno would have been a fine tournament final given what they've booked themselves into.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think they did the Usos/AA turn here because they felt they needed to get Slater and Rhyno into the finals to keep that storyline going.

But they're on opposite sides of the brackets.

[Emperor Smeat]

Really, really think Kane should think about hanging up the mask.

Supposedly he's going to enter politics within the near future. Think he hinted around the next election cycle so within 2 years.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Usos should have won the entire tournament. Harper & Rowan could have been used as first challengers against The Usos as American Alpha and Breezango establish their personalities as teams. The Revival end up showing up and getting into it with Alpha and then at WrestleMania you have the four major teams in the division -- The Usos, Harper & Rowan, Alpha and Revival in a Fatal 4-Way. Alpha win the belts and The Usos respectfully challenge them at Buttfuck or whatever the next PPV is. Usos lose, THEN you do the heel turn.

There is more than one way to skin a cat, but it pretty much writes itself.

[ClockShot]

CURT HAWKINS..............NEXT WEEK!

*knock on wood*

[KIRA]

Die in a fire Mojo DIE,live again and then die.

[ClockShot]

How much is "Slater's Family" being paid for this?

[DAMN iNATOR]

Just got in during the Kane/Fandango segment. Such great timing...

[Lock Jaw]

Die in a fire Mojo DIE,live again and then die.

*points at KIRA*

HE AIN'T HYPE!

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can smell Mojo Rawley through my television set. He smells like locker-room.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I actually like that Rawley is such a jock, but he should be heel.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have no clue what those Curt Hawkins teasers are supposed to make me feel about him. Because he's cracking jokes, is he a face? Because he is arrogant is he supposed to be a heel? Am I suppose to remember that within the kayfabe world of professional wrestling, he fucking sucks?

[ClockShot]

End this and get Styles out here already.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Anyone else remember when SD had champion KING Booker and Sharmell would scream "All Hail King Booker" non-stop

Yes, and William Regal would shout it as well.

Ive decided I love Aj's hair
http://49.media.tumblr.com/3b9d92599a50bae5ac2edef7686384ca/tumblr_o5dl6nruUs1qke3reo2_400.gif
Look at him he knows it looks <s>good</s> PHENOMENAL!

Fixed.

[Evil Vito]

But they're on opposite sides of the brackets.

If you have the Usos cost Alpha the belts at Backlash, Rhyno and Slater winning the belts and Slater getting his contract immediately means dick all. The moment would be able the Usos being heel.

But if you do AA/Usos in the finals of the tournament, it means you've already blown off Slater's chase to get on the roster and they then have to find ways to keep artificially extending that storyline.

As it is now, I'm thinking that Slater and Rhyno win on Sunday to get Slater officially onto the roster. Alpha don't look terrible in losing because Gable is hurt, yet he soldiers through the match anyway. Gable takes a few weeks off, the Usos win the belts at the next PPV, Gable returns and we get our logical AA/Usos match at Survivor Series or something.

Is it ideal? No. But given the short turnaround time they had to fit this tourney in I can make sense of it.

[DAMN iNATOR]

GORE, GORE GORE, AND 1, 2, 3 BABAYYYYYY!

[Emperor Smeat]

:y: Slater & Rhyno wins.

[ClockShot]

Alpha vs. Rhyno & Slater.

They're really running with this.

[Evil Vito]

These Curt Hawkins vignettes are going to feel really fucking ridiculous when he inevitably goes straight to jobbing on Main Event.

[KIRA]

These Curt Hawkins vignettes are going to feel really fucking ridiculous when he inevitably goes straight to jobbing on Main Event.

Leave it to WWE to capitalize on Chuck Norris facts yrs after they were relevant in pop culture.

[Evil Vito]

Okay, so they might just take Alpha out of the tourney. Guess we'll see.

Still happy the Usos are heel.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Yes, JBL, nobody in any sport has ever attacked another person and tried to hurt/injure them...:roll:

[KIRA]

Oh god stop talking Usos

[Evil Vito]

Renee Young looks so adorable when she has to put on that "god I fucking hate my job" look as heels ramble on the microphone.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If you have the Usos cost Alpha the belts at Backlash, Rhyno and Slater winning the belts and Slater getting his contract immediately means dick all. The moment would be able the Usos being heel.

But if you do AA/Usos in the finals of the tournament, it means you've already blown off Slater's chase to get on the roster and they then have to find ways to keep artificially extending that storyline.

As it is now, I'm thinking that Slater and Rhyno win on Sunday to get Slater officially onto the roster. Alpha don't look terrible in losing because Gable is hurt, yet he soldiers through the match anyway. Gable takes a few weeks off, the Usos win the belts at the next PPV, Gable returns and we get our logical AA/Usos match at Survivor Series or something.

Is it ideal? No. But given the short turnaround time they had to fit this tourney in I can make sense of it.

They're going to have to find ways to keep extending this storyline anyway. It's a comedy one. Unless the plan is to actually run with Slater & Rhyno as champs, in which case, it'd be better to put them over The Usos anyway, because people don't give as much of a shit about them as Alpha.

You put Usos over Alpha and have Slater/Rhyno qualify for the finals. Then you can do whatever you want. Now you have Slater/Rhyno going over injured guys you are supposed to care about for a new set of belts for a "feel good" moment. It's so fucking gross.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Too many fucking commercials.

[owenbrown]

It still pisses me off that WWE abandoned the whole Miz-Daniel Bryan thing

[ClockShot]

THEY DON'T WANT NONE!

[DAMN iNATOR]

Ambrose and Styles Sunday gonna be hot AF.

[Simple Fan]

I care more about the Usos than I do AA. I like AA but don't think they should be the first Smackdown (dumb name) Tag Team Champions. At this point I hope Slater and Rhyno win just so Slater can be on Smackdown.

[KIRA]

LOL announcing Aj as the face that runs the place.

[Emperor Smeat]

Smackdown's interviewer looks a lot like the ring announcer for Lucha Underground.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Speaking of hot, new girl looking very attractive. :y:

[Poit]

Self-assured face asshole Dean Ambrose works a lot better when he's feuding with a heel.

[KIRA]

I'm not really seeing lunatic Ambrose anymore

fun loving,carefree Ambrose sure

Leave AJs gorgeous hair out of this.

[KIRA]

there we go...kinda

[DAMN iNATOR]

I don't think Dean knows what a jock strap is.

[Evil Vito]

They're going to have to find ways to keep extending this storyline anyway. It's a comedy one. Unless the plan is to actually run with Slater & Rhyno as champs, in which case, it'd be better to put them over The Usos anyway, because people don't give as much of a shit about them as Alpha.

You put Usos over Alpha and have Slater/Rhyno qualify for the finals. Then you can do whatever you want. Now you have Slater/Rhyno going over injured guys you are supposed to care about for a new set of belts for a "feel good" moment. It's so fucking gross.

Again it's not ideal, but I can at least see why they chose to go this route. It puts across what Bryan has said several times about SmackDown being "the land of opportunity". Everybody assumed it was a AA/Usos final, but now a new team got the chance and are making the most of it.

They couldn't very well have just had Bryan walk out with the belts a few weeks ago and say "yeah, sorry Hype Bros, Vaudevillians, Ascension, and Breezango...you guys fucking suck. We're going with AA vs. Usos to decide the first champions." And they couldn't have very well done a 6 team tournament because that's awkward as fuck.

I want the first real AA/Usos match to have an actual story behind it, and now that can happen. If they were in the finals of the tournament, their match would have all of 5 days of buildup to it.

I will remain cautiously optimistic here.

[ClockShot]

That's it?!

YOU DON'T CUT OFF STYLES!

[Evil Vito]

I wonder how long it will take before Hawkins gets teamed with someone after he returns. Any time he was without a tag partner on the main roster, he got sent down.

Interaction with Ryder seems like the safest bet even though they had the chance to reunite them in 2011 and didn't bother. Their tag team ended like 7-8 years ago at this point. I'm not sure too many would give a shit about Hawkins wanting them to team up again.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Damn...poor Dean...maybe he should just quit bringing his personal effects from home to in-ring segments at work...everything he loves gets killed...first Mitch the plant, and now Bowler the participation trophy...RIP. :(

[Evil Vito]

They fucked up the pacing tonight I think. That ending was way too abrupt.

[Evil Vito]

Ambrose can be so fucking good on the mic when he's not trying to be Carrot Top.

[KIRA]

I wonder how long it will take before Hawkins gets teamed with someone after he returns. Any time he was without a tag partner on the main roster, he got sent down.

Interaction with Ryder seems like the safest bet even though they had the chance to reunite them in 2011 and didn't bother. Their tag team ended like 7-8 years ago at this point. I'm not sure too many would give a shit about Hawkins wanting them to team up again.

I'd have preferred him teaming with Slater

[Emperor Smeat]

They fucked up the pacing tonight I think. That ending was way too abrupt.

If I had to guess, the Women's match feeling longer than it should have been might be the cause. They pretty much had just 5-6 minutes to do the main event talking thing.

Even if they took out the Fandango segment, still a pretty short main event segment for this week.

[Simple Fan]

Probably one of the worst Smackdowns since the brand split in my opinion. Camera work was weird and seemed zoomed in more than usual like I said. Show had a weird layout as well. Women were out first with the promo than went back and has the second match. Why not just let them have the first match while they were out there. Then the match that had the most potential to be good was a squash that made no sense. Ending on a promo was kind of weird as well.

[Simple Fan]

Still hate the titles just being Smackdown Championships. Would much rather Smackdown titles be World branded while Raws are Universal branded. Just seems so generic and uncreative to me.

[Ruien]

Why in the hell did the Divas match/intro literally take 1/4 of the show?

[Droford]

Team PCB, Team B.A.D., and Team Bella members united

Team BNB

[Simple Fan]

Not sure but it wasn't a good choice. Like I said splitting up the intro and the match was kind of dumb. They were all out there might as well just started the match after the opening segment. Really felt like they just threw the show together at the last minute.

[Triple A]

SmackDown also seemed pretty bad this week imo

Feels like this would have been the best part of the show but it didn't even air on TV

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[slik]

I fell asleep and will have 2 read the results

[#BROKEN Hasney]

DB on Talking Smack: "No, those fake retirement angles [like Sasha Banks] don't bother me. That one did because it was just bad though"

Oh shit.

Gable is out 2-4 weeks. Heath/Rhyno <3.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Oh, Talking Smack announced that Usos V Hype Bros at Backlash to face Slater/Rhyno that night for the tag titles.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Oh, Talking Smack announced that Usos V Hype Bros at Backlash to face Slater/Rhyno that night for the tag titles.

UGH. ..hope they keep that crap on the pre-show.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah this was the worst SmackDown since the split but it seemed clear they wanted to play it safe and not risk late injuries to Styles, Ambrose, Ziggler, etc.

Didn't need to take that risk with The Miz because he's so safe in the ring :shifty:

[Ruien]

I can't believe I am saying this but WWE has actually managed to make me not care about Bray. I actually left the room when he came on TV this week.

[Evil Vito]

Now that they've clarified the Tag Team Title tourney situation it seems clear that the Usos will win the belts via shenanigans and that can be the reasoning for Slater being given a contract anyway.

Love Slater/Rhyno but you can't put them over the Usos clean, it would kill the Usos' heel run dead. At least them jobbing in 30 seconds to Alpha could have been played off as them just getting overzealous.

Usos/Alpha is the obvious title feud to build towards for the next PPV. Slater and Rhyno can work a fun comedy feud with Breezango or The Vaudevillians or something to flesh out the lower card.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The Cone of Silence?

I wasn't aware that Carmella liked Get Smart. Or is it a "Staten Island" thing?

Code cause she's Italian.

[Ruien]

Slater is the best thing about the WWE right now. Fuck the Usos. You put over the best thing in your company even if it hurts one of the better tag teams. Usos can recover.

[Big Vic]

Didn't the Uso lose the match? I thought Gable and the other guy advanced.

[XL]

Yes. But The Usos "injured" Chad Gable, so the 2 losing semi-finalists will compete for a place in the final. Clever way to have AA taken out of the running to give them a longer journey to the belts without having them lose.

[Emperor Smeat]

SmackDown also seemed pretty bad this week imo

Feels like this would have been the best part of the show but it didn't even air on TV

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They taped that for Main Event this week.

[Frank Drebin]

I still don't understand how they can go back to having two women's and tag titles when it didn't work the last time around. Let's be honest, each of the four divisions is just barely deep enough to be able to pull it off for a few months before falling into the trap of new Champs every couple of months, wash and repeat.

[Triple A]

If there are no titles, the divisions on SmackDown would feel pointless, like there is nothing to "fight for"

Also, The New Day having the titles for like 3 years feels like it has rendered the regular tag titles meaningless anyway imo

[Triple A]

I fell asleep and will have 2 read the results

same, couldn't recover after Bray Wyatt segment, "passed out" shortly after then just watched the YouTube highlights

[Anybody Thrilla]

I overall don't mind what they're gonna do with the tag tourney, but in kayfabe, why should the Usos be rewarded for DELIBERATELY injuring the team that BEAT them?

[Evil Vito]

They were just simply giving the two losing semi-finalist teams a mulligan.

Also because nobody wants to see Slater and Rhyno vs. The Hype Bros to decide the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

[Frank Drebin]

If there are no titles, the divisions on SmackDown would feel pointless, like there is nothing to "fight for"

Also, The New Day having the titles for like 3 years feels like it has rendered the regular tag titles meaningless anyway imo

Totally get that, and you're right. This option just waters everything down from the depth of divisions to the meaning of the titles. 8 individuals or teams now will have titles, 9 after Cruiserweight comes back, which seems like too much. What have the IC and US title meant? Shit. Now add another belt above them on the card and what do they mean? Same goes for the Tag titles. Hell, the nxt champ and women's champ probably get ranked higher based on perceived importance by the fans.

What would my suggestion be as an alternative? Not much. Figure that if the cruiserweights are exclusive to Raw, why can't the Women be exclusive to Smackdown? Why can't whomever has the tag titles get a "commissioners exemption" to be able to work for whatever show they want? That way you can keep the tag division semi fluid and use the belts on either show based on whom you wanted to feud over the titles.

[Big Vic]

They should have the tag champs face the "Top Team" from the other brand at Survivor Series, Royal Rumble and Summer Slam (with the titles on the line).

[Evil Vito]

They should have the tag champs face the "Top Team" from the other brand at Survivor Series, Royal Rumble and Summer Slam.

I am fully against any interbrand matches until the Rumble match itself.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They were just simply giving the two losing semi-finalist teams a mulligan.

Also because nobody wants to see Slater and Rhyno vs. The Hype Bros to decide the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

But that's what they're promoting. Either that or the team that lost in 30 seconds to decide them. I'm sorry, but this is really fucking dumb. It's highlighted the lack of depth in the division and it's taken away heat from everyone involved. Now The Usos are going to head into their match with Slater & Rhyno -- HEATH fucking SLATER and Rhyno -- as harder working...heels?

The fuck is this shit? They've managed to somehow drag the credibility of these belts down and they haven't even been held by anyone yet.

Why the fuck couldn't you have just gone with American Alpha going up one side of the brackets and The Usos doing the same on the other? This "creative" shit is making a mess of something that could be so simple.

* American Alpha beat The Vaudevillains.

* Breezango beat The Hype Bros.

* The Usos beat The Ascension.

* The Headbangers and the fucking Basham Brothers or whoever go to a no contest. Who cares?

* American Alpha beat Breezango.

* The Usos get a bye and act all cocky and shit.

* Finals for the Tag Titles and you haven't fucked everything up.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ambrose can be so fucking good on the mic when he's not trying to be Carrot Top.

:lol:

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's very weird to say that I am keen for a WWE PPV solely because of the main event programs. Ambrose/Styles and Orton/Wyatt are vaguely interesting to me. It's the mid-card that is the raging shits.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Imagine if, instead of just throwing a bunch of guys on RAW to pad it out, or splitting up tag teams without a vision for either guy, you had The Lucha Dragons and The Shining Stars on SmackDown. Primo y Epico are too big for the new weight limit in the Cruiserweight Division anyway. Sin Cara is barely in it, but he feels somewhat out of place in the division (Being around for too long? His win-loss record? Style?). Kalisto is a perfect fit for the Cruiserweight Division, but he's not on the fucking show anyway.

Then you'd have eight teams. Fancy that. A tournament with eight fucking active teams. You can have The Shining Stars go over Lucha Dragons in the first round, then put over Alpha in the second round. The Usos can go over The Ascension and Breezango. An honest-to-god fucking tournament.

[Evil Vito]

I'd be looking forward to Orton/Wyatt more if I had any faith at all in Wyatt winning. But I don't.

And if he does, it'll be because Rowan helped him to "redeem" himself, or Harper returned to help him, or both. And then Orton will dispose of the other two like Rocksteady and Bebop and go on to beat Wyatt clean in a month anyway.

I just can't take Wyatt seriously anymore. It's sad.

[Cool King]

SmackDown was ok this week. Nothing special and not much to talk about.

However, I will say that Carmella is fucking atrocious. I find her to be legitimately annoying. Her mic skills are terrible, her wrestling is terrible and even her theme is terrible. It's quite obvious from the reaction she gets from the crowd that nobody gives a shit about her. Personally, I find her to be the worst female on the entire WWE roster, and she really needs to go back to NXT for more training on all fronts and maybe a gimmick change.

American Alpha vs The Usos was a surprised, both in length and the heel turn. I actually wasn't expecting a heel turn. Heath Slater & Rhyno are still so good. I was 100% sure that they would go on to win the tournament considering what happened to American Alpha after their match, but now I read that the winner of The Usos vs The Hype Bros will go on to face Slater & Rhyno.

It's just so obvious now that The Usos will win, face Slater & Rhyno and win the titles. I can see The Usos becoming champions and holding the titles until American Alpha return, which WWE says that Gable will be out of action between two to four weeks.

I imagine they'll be gone for four weeks, which will take us up to the 4th of October. That same week, No Mercy will be taking place on Sunday the 9th of October. That's when I can see American Alpha making their return after The Usos successfully defend their titles or just win a non-title match.

From then until the next PPV, which will be Survivor Series (that's around six weeks), I can see American Alpha and The Usos fighting over the titles until we get the title match at Survivor Series where American Alpha win.

This gives American Alpha a big stage to win on and is a happy ending to their long story.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was thinking Orton would win at Backlash, but then I remembered that Orton is made and Wyatt isn't, so it'd make perfect sense to put Wyatt over if you want him made. But then I realized it is Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton will win.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Carmella is pretty bad, but she's no worse than Alexa Bliss. Well, she's not as good a personality as Bliss, but it's closer between those two on that front than it is between them in the ring. Neither is ready for the main roster.

[Big Vic]

Can't really tell those 2 apart....I guess Carmella is the Enzo Amore 'rip off'

[Anybody Thrilla]

Bliss is MUCH better than Carmella.

[Droford]

Carmella is green as grass...but you can teach her

Also wonder if Maryse will go back to wrestling...

[Simple Fan]

I like both Bliss and Carmella. I think Carmella needs to drop the "My name is and I am" part of her character so she doesn't sound like an Enzo rip off. I like the division as a whole and feel it's better than Raws.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Bliss is MUCH better than Carmella.

Certainly not in the ring. Come on now.

[Cool King]

Bliss is MUCH better than Carmella.

Yeah, same here.

Bliss really has grown on me since the draft.

I like both Bliss and Carmella. I think Carmella needs to drop the "My name is and I am" part of her character so she doesn't sound like an Enzo rip off. I like the division as a whole and feel it's better than Raws.

That's probably the most annoying thing she does.

But I do agree with you on the division being better than Raw's. But I'd say that I find it to be better due to the way it's being utilised and presented. On SmackDown, all the women are being showcased and given matches and mic time, whereas over on Raw, it's pretty much just Charlotte vs Bayley or Banks the majority of the time.

I'd say the same thing about SmackDown's Tag Team Division too. It's better than Raw's.

[Mr. Nerfect]

SmackDown's division is fucking terrible. RAW's isn't much better. I'm not going to count Paige, since she's out, but Charlotte is the true fucking star of women's wrestling right now. Sasha Banks is the most over female they have. Bayley has the potential to be. Nia Jax is on the rise as a monster and Alicia Fox is, at the very least, better than Alexa Bliss and Carmella. Her "crazy" personality is a bit cliched, but they actually don't usually turn it up to that level in that direction. She's a more distinct personality from the "I'm so great" Diva heels on SmackDown.

Summer Rae is probably better in the ring than Carmella and Bliss at this point, and is the "original" bitch heel of the NXT wave of girls. Lana has got star potential, but she may not be as good taking it into the ring as Maryse was, but at this point in time, Maryse isn't even an active competitor.

The one good thing about SmackDown's division (besides Becky Lynch and Natalya being there, of course) is that without Charlotte, Sasha and Bayley -- the stars of women's wrestling -- they don't have the same narrative constraints that RAW has. But with Charlotte beating Sasha at SummerSlam, they've kind of jumped from the Charlotte ---> Sasha ---> Bayley story anyway.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I also have the feeling that SmackDown is going to be the Nikki Bella showcase in time. She can't hang with Charlotte, Sasha and Bayley so they carve out this niche for her on what is basically a developmental brand for women to eventually go to RAW when they have exhausted the options over there.

[Emperor Smeat]

Biggest mistake was putting Bayley on RAW and not on Smackdown regardless of the circumstances. Bayley on Smackdown instantly beefs up their Women's division star power and RAW doesn't get too top heavy like it is right now.

Right now Smackdown's division is pretty much the Women's division midcard and Becky as its only real big star. Not counting Nikki with Becky mostly because she's rumored to be a part-timer now and last thing Smackdown needs is the division revolving around her soley because of Total Divas/Bellas again. Becky needs to be the one who has the division revolving around and as the centerpiece to build upon.

[Triple A]

Becky Lynch's character is insanely boring and she seems "ok" in the ring... feels like I have never "really enjoyed" any match of her's

idk why every1 loves her so much

[slik]

what about her triple threat at WM...that was prob the best match on the show

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't like the idea of Becky and Bayley on the same show. They feel too similar to me. I would have put Becky on RAW with Charlotte and Bayley on SmackDown with Sasha. Nikki is obviously going to return to that brand too. I like the dichotomy between Paige and Bayley, so I'd include her on SmackDown too.

RAW:
Charlotte (Heel Champion)
Becky Lynch (Babyface Challenger)
Natalya (Wrestling Heel)
Dana Brooke (Heel Heater for Charlotte)
Nia Jax (Squashing Bitches)
Alicia Fox (Doing Her)

SmackDown:
Sasha Banks (Heel Champion)
Bayley (Babyface Challenger)
Nikki Bella (Big Match Nikki)
Paige (Rival of Bayley's)
Naomi (Token Black Girl)
Carmella (Ally of Bayley's)
Summer Rae (Fodder for Bayley)

[Mr. Nerfect]

Becky Lynch's character is insanely boring and she seems "ok" in the ring... feels like I have never "really enjoyed" any match of her's

idk why every1 loves her so much

She's got that quirky girl charisma that makes nerds like me think she's accessible. She's also adorable.

Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch from NXT Takeover: Unstoppable is probably my favorite women's match ever. She also has good shine in a Fatal 4-Way for the Women's Title at one of the Takeovers too.

I do get the complaints though -- she's a bit bland as the smiling lass and her ring work becomes very...stale when she's working face. Can't remember a good feud she's had though, so maybe give her a chance to see how she does when she's got heat with someone that isn't "Grr, I'm a bitch."