This week's SmackDown started with an Intercontinental Title celebration for AJ Styles and turned into the in-ring debut for Matt Riddle.
A big debut was followed up by even more interesting storylines as Sonya Deville promised to maim Mandy Rose and the original Bray Wyatt made his return, promising to succeed where the Firefly Fun House Wyatt had failed. His promise was to go back to where it all started and destroy Braun Strowman.
Winner: Riddle's Debut
Despite the news that broke on Friday that Matt Riddle was being accused of sexual abuse, WWE went ahead with his scheduled debut on the blue brand and in the face of an uncertain future, did a good job setting the tone for Riddle's character. While getting the better of Styles, The King of Bros claimed he'd become the Bro that runs the show.
As the wrestlers who were there to witness Styles' celebration watched on, Styles and Riddle battled in a physical match. Riddle ended up getting the clean win after a distraction from Daniel Bryan.
This is a situation that will require keeping a close eye on. A big win for Riddle suggests WWE had huge plans for him on SmackDown but if he's continually connected to the #SpeakingOut movement, there's no telling if his push will be in jeopardy or not.
Winner: Jeff Hardy Interview
Providing some depth to the recent loss Jeff Hardy suffered at the hands of Sheamus, WWE is running with the idea that losses make Hardy question his own ability. He said during his interview with Renee Young, if he could just figure out a way to shut Sheamus up, it would help him find the belief in himself that he's on the right path. Every failure leads to Hardy questioning his own ability.
This interview hints that Hardy may continue to struggle as he finds his way. It's an interesting idea, hopefully, one that will eventually put Jeff on the course to redemption. The idea here is to build Sheamus up as a bully that will eventually get what's coming to him. WWE needs to follow through here.
Loser: Chad Gable Defeats Mojo Rawley
This Shorty G stuff is more of the same from WWE. Trying to sell the idea that he's overcoming obstacles being the small guy picked on by bigger bullies, Gable slew the giant in Rawley and Michael Cole tried to sell it as an upset. Rawley rarely wins, so how big an upset was this really?
WWE needs to find something else for Shorty G. This just isn't working anymore and it's got no long-term upside.
Winner: Sonya Deville
Deville may be one of the best things going in WWE right now. Everything about her is a win. From her look to her promos and her reasoning behind being upset with Mandy Rose, the segment that included her interrupting Mandy Rose on Miz TV was a big win. That she focused on a promise to tear apart Rose's appearance until she's as ugly on the outside as she is on the inside is an interesting twist that adds a new layer to the feud.
Even though WWE furloughed the writer that was working on this storyline to start with, the company has done a good job of not letting the drama fade away. Deville should come out of all of this as a big star when all is said and done.
Winner: Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura
The match between the Lucha House Party and New Day was a strong display of chemistry and athleticism. Adding Cesaro and Nakamura at the end was a win, especially for the duo who looks to replacing the recently pulled Forgotten Sons.
This is a spotlight these two should have gotten a long time ago and Cesaro taking it to Michael Cole on commentary after they'd been largely ignored is an opening that Cesaro needs to display his talking ability. There's been a lot of talk that Cesaro has failed to grab the brass ring, but it could be more that he's lacked opportunity.
Winner: Nikki Cross
While likely a temporary fill-in as Banks and Bayley eventually get to the meat of their battle with each other, Nikki Cross showed well, upset about the fact she and Alexa Bliss had lost the Women's Tag Team Titles.
It will be a short-term run, but a good chance for Cross to show her stuff.
Winner: The Many Face of Wyatt
The original Bray Wyatt, The Eater of Worlds is back!... at least for a little bit. As the Firefly Fun House began as the final segment to close the show, Wyatt said he'd learned how to bring back the dead in his time away from WWE. What he meant was that he'd dug into his past to call upon an entity that had the secret to Strowman's downfall.
Strowman's reaction seemed to suggest that this Wyatt had the strength to take out The Monster Among Men when the Firefly Fun House version Wyatt had failed. Strowman looked like he'd seen a ghost and the WWE Universe was certainly surprised.
As long as this is just a temporary thing for Wyatt and not the end of "The Fiend" and the Funhouse, this is a total win. If WWE allows him to call on all three personalities when needed, that would be an acceptable change as well.
Everyone expected The Fiend. What we got might be even better.