This week's SmackDown included a number of interesting segments but was bookended by a Bar Fight between Sheamus and Jeff Hardy. As much hype as the match received, did it live up to the hype?
A show that included another Firefly Fun House episode, Bayley being (what she thought) was the smartest person in the room, four unlikely competitors getting an opportunity to become the No. 1 contender for the Intercontinental Title, and a King's ransom, did the Bar Fight stand out? The ending certainly did.
Here are your winners and losers for SmackDown, July 24, 2020:
Winner: Bayley Forces Bliss and Cross To Wrestle
The Bayley and Banks Era started out the show and the duo bragged that they held all the gold — even though Banks isn't technically the Raw Women's Champion. Saying they were the new definition of "Greatness", they claimed the evolution of women's wrestling was over since it started and ended with them. That brought out a livid Nikki Cross who vowed to get some of Bayley.
Bayley said she was in an opportunistic mood and told Cross if she could win a match tonight, she could face Bayley next week. But, her opponent was Alexa Bliss. Cross wasted no time in accepting the challenge.
This was well done to start the show and the match between Bliss and Cross that followed was excellent also; a smart way to book Bayley and Banks as conniving heels. The plan may have backfired as Cross got the win and she and Bliss remained friends after their battle. But, are there now cracks in the foundation of Cross' and Bliss' relationship?
Loser: Miz TV And Naomi
Miz and Morrison were their typical entertaining selves but this segment didn't do for Naomi what it was supposed to. The idea was to cash in on the viral phrase that is #NaomiDeservesBetter. This segment won't help that cause.
In the end, after a lot of unimportant talk, she smeared lipstick on Lacey Evans's face. This helped the heel more than the babyface.
Loser: Matt Riddle Win Over Nese
This was fine. A glorified squash match that was more about getting Riddle a win than anything else, the real meat of the segment was King Corbin answering Riddle's call-out and saying The Original Bro wasn't in his class. In fact, he was putting out a King's Ransom as an offer to anyone that wanted to prove Riddle should go back to NXT or 205 Live.
Again, there was nothing wrong with the segment, and Corbin vs Riddle is a decent mid-card feud, but the match was less-than-exciting and it would have made more sense for someone other than Nese to try and cash-in.
Winner: Big E Opportunity
Apparently, Big E is going to get a singles push. Whether it was already coming or the timing of the Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods injuries just work out that way, Big E getting a run at a serious title is long overdue.
He's entertaining, he's a good ring worker who has the look WWE likes, and the best part is, WWE doesn't need to break up New Day to do this.
Winner: Gran Metalik
We're calling this a winner because we're happy for Gran Metalik. He really is underutilized by WWE and from what we've heard, has a ton of support backstage by his peers. Still, the idea that he gets an Intercontinental Title shot after one win and months removed from doing anything of significance (he was very good at Elimination Chamber) on the show seems like a bit of a stretch.
There are a lot of deserving people that could have earned a shot here, including, but not limited to Chad Gable. He was in the No. 1 contenders match but didn't win.
Winner: Brother Nero/Willow Debut
Hopefully, the appearance of Jeff Hardy's alter ego is not a one-time thing. If we're really lucky, perhaps WWE has decided to drop the Sheamus and Hardy substance abuse storyline and use it as way to move Hardy brining in Brother Nero or Willow moving forward.
If WWE is keen on cinematic matches -- which it appears they are -- Willow makes perfect sense as a character that would thrive in that environment. It doesn't mean the end product will be wonderful, but it will be something WWE fans will tune in for and it's light years better than what WWE has been doing with Hardy lately.