For the first time in a long time, Raw raised the bar this week. A big title change, a huge alteration to a major match at Royal Rumble, and even the unveiling of some brand new championships. SmackDown Live is usually better than Raw without even trying, but this week Team Blue had to up its game. It does have Becky Lynch, Daniel Bryan, and AJ Styles though, so we had faith that it could get the job done.
Anything Becky Lynch Can Do, Asuka Can Do Quicker
The best way to start a wrestling show is with the fans' current favorite addressing the crowd or, even better, competing in a match. SmackDown Live gave us both by having Becky Lynch cut a promo and then wrestle and beat Peyton Royce. Asuka, who was watching on from ringside, was not happy about that. The SmackDown Women's Champion then proceeded to force Billie Kay into a match and beat her even faster than The Man beat Royce. Message sent, and you can probably expect the pair's match at Royal Rumble to end with a submission.
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AJ Styles Slammed A Vegan Into A Pile Of Hot Dogs
For some reason, WWE is having AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan's entire rivalry play out in the concourse around the concession stands. This week, Styles reacted to Bryan's message comparing him to junk food and meaningless purchases by handing out free merch to a few lucky fans. Turns out one of those fans was merely Bryan in disguise. The hoodie-wearing WWE Champion launched himself into The Phenomenal One and the pair of them began to brawl. Things came to an end when Styles slammed Bryan through a table piled high with hot dogs. That must have hurt an environment-loving vegan in more ways than one.
Samoa Joe Is Not A Mustafa Ali Fan
One of the plusses for WWE in the build to Royal Rumble is it can be a little lazy with its booking and get away with it. Two Superstars competing in a Royal Rumble match? Just throw them in a match on an episode of Raw or SmackDown Live. That's what the match between Samoa Joe and Mustafa Ali felt like. Well, until both men got to the ring. The match never actually got underway. That's because an angry Joe brutally attacked Ali, went to leave, and then came back to add insult to injury. Joe left Ali in a crumpled heap, and we would hazard a guess that the cruiserweight will get his revenge in the men's Royal Rumble.
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Almas vs Mysterio Should Happen Every Single Week
Ever since Rey Mysterio returned to WWE full time, fans have been fantasy booking him in dream matches. If one of those dream matches wasn't against Andrade Almas to begin with, it will have been after the two clashed in tag action last week. Clearly, Vince McMahon was a big fan too as on this week's SmackDown Live, the pair competed in singles action. And what singles action it was. Mysterio and Almas's styles meshed perfectly and their match on Tuesday would have been worthy of a PPV. Here's hoping that it does take place on a bigger stage sometime soon, and that can be where Mysterio gets his win back.
WWE Must Use Invisible Cameramen
Any WWE fan knows that you have to suspend your disbelief somewhat when watching the promotion's product. However, sometimes that can be difficult. On the same show where we saw wrestlers address and speak directly to the camera, we were treated to a scene where two Superstars didn't even notice a camera three feet away from them. Mandy Rose tempted Jimmy Uso to her hotel room and felt the need to hire a photographer to jump out and capture the moment. The whole thing was being shown live on TV, Mandy.
Sheamus Suffers The First Ever Coast-To-Cake
It wasn't too long ago that Shane McMahon wanted nothing to do with The Miz. Now the commissioner is loving the dynamic he has with the former WWE Champion. That was on show for all to see on SmackDown Live. After The Bar intruded on Shane O Mac's birthday celebrations, McMahon suggested a match between Sheamus and Miz. Distractions led to Miz winning with a roll up, and things only got worse from there for The Celtic Warrior. Despite not being in ring gear, McMahon managed to perform a coast to coast on the already defeated Superstar. As opposed to a bin or a chair being the object he kicked into the recipient, Miz held a birthday cake in place. We believe that's probably a first.