Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
The WWE fall season is on the horizon, and there are more than a few new themes to this section of the WWE calendar. From overbloated storytelling to constant unnecessary turns, it's not exactly feeling like a bright spot in WWE's 2018.
However, that doesn't mean there's nothing to enjoy right now. In fact, most of the feuds on both brands are growing nicely at the moment. SmackDown alone has a trio of elite programs going with Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz, Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, and AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe.
It's just that right balance where I look forward to WWE each week only to be somewhat disappointed.
However, that doesn't mean there's nothing to enjoy right now. In fact, most of the feuds on both brands are growing nicely at the moment. SmackDown alone has a trio of elite programs going with Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz, Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, and AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe.
It's just that right balance where I look forward to WWE each week only to be somewhat disappointed.
You may think Dolph Ziggler is confused in this moment, but he knows this situation better than most anyone. He can already see Braun Strowman's career spiraling.
Monday Night Raw August 27, 2018
WWE Has Given Up on Allowing Faces to Grow Naturally
Overview: Braun Strowman officially cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase for a match at Hell in a Cell inside the hellacious structure before Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre challenged Strowman and Roman Reigns to a match. During the match, Reigns took a beating while struggling to get to The Monster Among Men.
When he finally tagged out, The Monster offered up The Big Dog to the heels, who beat him down to cause a disqualification. Both beat-up from earlier matches, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins ran down to the ring but were dominated by the new trio alliance.
Analysis: This was a solid segment that set up an engaging trio, but it was completely tone deaf. WWE should know that the fans want Strowman as champion. They will cheer him all the way over Reigns. Making the more popular of the two rivals turn heel is just WWE coming off as arrogant.
It's exact same situation as with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Fans continue to cheer Lynch through every step of her heel run while openly booing Charlotte. Both Strowman and Lynch pulled off the rare feat of getting over naturally as faces, and WWE has stifled their momentum by turning them heel for a duo that cannot get fully over.
The Shield Needed a Better Followup
Overview: Reigns opened the show to address Strowman and tag with him in the main event. Rollins came out solo to declare an open challenge for the WWE Intercontinental Championship with Kevin Owens answering, retaining with a Curb Stomp. Ambrose was sidetracked with Jinder Mahal who he defeated handily.
Analysis: Imagine watching a TV show with a major cliffhanger only to have the next episode begin with the cliffhanger resolved and the protagonists just laughing about it in retrospect. That was WWE's treatment of The Shield this week, who barely shared the ring this week.
All that was needed was one segment where all three members of The Shield were in the ring at the same time to discuss why they realigned. Instead, this week, the three were handled like separate stars with Ambrose not even working with Rollins despite their build-up as a team.
WWE's Focus for Major Event Build-Up is a Complete Mess
Overview: Heavy focus for the week was put on The Undertaker vs. Triple H at Super Show-Down with celebrities weighing in with predictions for the event. Trish Stratus made an appearance to slap Elias before vaguely interacting with Alexa Bliss to promote their Evolution match before Bliss declared she was going after Ronda Rousey at HIAC.
Analysis: I know Raw is three hours, but why does it feel like the entire brand is promoting three events at once? In fact, you could Super Show-Down has bee built up as a bigger deal so far than Hell in a Cell, an event that is only a few weeks away.
I could honestly do without any build for Taker vs. HHH. It's been done, but at least wait until it matters more clearly. HIAC's card right now is 3 SmackDown matches (with 1 more being built up in a tournament) and 2 Raw matches while Super Show-Down has 4 Raw matches and 2 SmackDown.
Conclusion
Raw was actually a solid show overall because of the wrestling. The talent delivered on a night of largely in-ring work. The problem was just the focus of the episode. It was hard to pin down the storytelling or the direction of the product with shifting promotion from segment to segment.
The hot Toronto crowd really made this one exciting, and they deserved a more complete writing room effort than what they got. Can anyone tell where this company is headed at the moment?
Overview: Braun Strowman officially cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase for a match at Hell in a Cell inside the hellacious structure before Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre challenged Strowman and Roman Reigns to a match. During the match, Reigns took a beating while struggling to get to The Monster Among Men.
When he finally tagged out, The Monster offered up The Big Dog to the heels, who beat him down to cause a disqualification. Both beat-up from earlier matches, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins ran down to the ring but were dominated by the new trio alliance.
Analysis: This was a solid segment that set up an engaging trio, but it was completely tone deaf. WWE should know that the fans want Strowman as champion. They will cheer him all the way over Reigns. Making the more popular of the two rivals turn heel is just WWE coming off as arrogant.
It's exact same situation as with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Fans continue to cheer Lynch through every step of her heel run while openly booing Charlotte. Both Strowman and Lynch pulled off the rare feat of getting over naturally as faces, and WWE has stifled their momentum by turning them heel for a duo that cannot get fully over.
The Shield Needed a Better Followup
Overview: Reigns opened the show to address Strowman and tag with him in the main event. Rollins came out solo to declare an open challenge for the WWE Intercontinental Championship with Kevin Owens answering, retaining with a Curb Stomp. Ambrose was sidetracked with Jinder Mahal who he defeated handily.
Analysis: Imagine watching a TV show with a major cliffhanger only to have the next episode begin with the cliffhanger resolved and the protagonists just laughing about it in retrospect. That was WWE's treatment of The Shield this week, who barely shared the ring this week.
All that was needed was one segment where all three members of The Shield were in the ring at the same time to discuss why they realigned. Instead, this week, the three were handled like separate stars with Ambrose not even working with Rollins despite their build-up as a team.
WWE's Focus for Major Event Build-Up is a Complete Mess
Overview: Heavy focus for the week was put on The Undertaker vs. Triple H at Super Show-Down with celebrities weighing in with predictions for the event. Trish Stratus made an appearance to slap Elias before vaguely interacting with Alexa Bliss to promote their Evolution match before Bliss declared she was going after Ronda Rousey at HIAC.
Analysis: I know Raw is three hours, but why does it feel like the entire brand is promoting three events at once? In fact, you could Super Show-Down has bee built up as a bigger deal so far than Hell in a Cell, an event that is only a few weeks away.
I could honestly do without any build for Taker vs. HHH. It's been done, but at least wait until it matters more clearly. HIAC's card right now is 3 SmackDown matches (with 1 more being built up in a tournament) and 2 Raw matches while Super Show-Down has 4 Raw matches and 2 SmackDown.
Conclusion
Raw was actually a solid show overall because of the wrestling. The talent delivered on a night of largely in-ring work. The problem was just the focus of the episode. It was hard to pin down the storytelling or the direction of the product with shifting promotion from segment to segment.
The hot Toronto crowd really made this one exciting, and they deserved a more complete writing room effort than what they got. Can anyone tell where this company is headed at the moment?
At this point, Carmella has even become a better wrestler than either Big Cass and Enzo Amore.
SmackDown Live August 28, 2018
Carmella May Be Quietly the Most Improved Star This Year
Overview: Carmella got her contractually obligated rematch against the SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte and brought the fight to her from the start. They went off with multiple impressive athletic displays from the former champion before she was put down with a Spear into a Natural Selection and Figure-Eight.
Analysis: This was the match of the night, and it wasn't real close, which is impressive given it was only a few months ago that Charlotte had the worst match of her career with Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island actually got all right in the ring as she held that title, held down by some terrible booking.
She still has a ways to go, but, given she's already one of the best mic workers and most charismatic performers in the company, it would be a shame if she disappeared from SmackDown. She's just hitting her stride.
The Bar Are Always Ready to Play Second Fiddle
Overview: In the first round of the No. 1 contender tag team tournament, Sheamus and Cesaro watched Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson fight passionately against the returning Colons, staying mostly out of the action. After Gallows took a double backstabber though, Cesaro slipped in and stole the cover for the victory.
Afterward, Rusev Day vs. Sanity vs. The Usos was announced as the second triple threat to determine who would face The Bar for a shot at The New Day.
Analysis: The triple threat this week felt a bit too much like a foregone conclusion. The only team with real credibility walked out victorious. Meanwhile, all the other interesting title contenders are in the same match. In fact, the other triple threat feels like it is already determining the No. 1 contender.
The New Day vs. The Bar is a great match-up, proven recently on SmackDown, but it has been done. New Day vs. The Usos is also fairly unlikely even though it's an even greater pairing. That leaves both Sanity and Rusev Day as the guys to emerge victorious. The Bar are just here to have great matches and put over the other talent.
Hardy vs. Orton was Not the SmackDown Match That Deserved Hell in a Cell
Overview: Jeff Hardy demanded Randy Orton fight him one more time, and Randy Orton refused for now. The Daredevil didn't listen though, immediately announcing he would face The Viper inside Hell in a Cell.
Analysis: After SummerSlam, I was excited about the potential of AJ Styles and Samoa Joe going to war inside the Cell. Even if it feels a bit fast, I was also all for Charlotte vs. Becky inside the structure. Sure, Hardy vs. Orton has some heat, but it's nowhere near those matches for quality potential.
At best, this is a way to let Hardy work the Cell once in his career, and that just means he'll destroy his back even more in the match to make the most of the opportunity.
Conclusion
SmackDown has been pretty consistent quality for a while now, and this week was no different. Excluding the embarrassing Billie Kay match with Naomi, every segment worked, and there was a lot of wrestling to enjoy throughout the night.
The show even included the first encounter between Daniel Bryan and Andrade Cien Almas, who were solid enough for a first time out but could pull out an all time great at some point. The product also is wholly focused on Hell in a Cell, and it makes the brand so much smoother to watch.
Overview: Carmella got her contractually obligated rematch against the SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte and brought the fight to her from the start. They went off with multiple impressive athletic displays from the former champion before she was put down with a Spear into a Natural Selection and Figure-Eight.
Analysis: This was the match of the night, and it wasn't real close, which is impressive given it was only a few months ago that Charlotte had the worst match of her career with Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island actually got all right in the ring as she held that title, held down by some terrible booking.
She still has a ways to go, but, given she's already one of the best mic workers and most charismatic performers in the company, it would be a shame if she disappeared from SmackDown. She's just hitting her stride.
The Bar Are Always Ready to Play Second Fiddle
Overview: In the first round of the No. 1 contender tag team tournament, Sheamus and Cesaro watched Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson fight passionately against the returning Colons, staying mostly out of the action. After Gallows took a double backstabber though, Cesaro slipped in and stole the cover for the victory.
Afterward, Rusev Day vs. Sanity vs. The Usos was announced as the second triple threat to determine who would face The Bar for a shot at The New Day.
Analysis: The triple threat this week felt a bit too much like a foregone conclusion. The only team with real credibility walked out victorious. Meanwhile, all the other interesting title contenders are in the same match. In fact, the other triple threat feels like it is already determining the No. 1 contender.
The New Day vs. The Bar is a great match-up, proven recently on SmackDown, but it has been done. New Day vs. The Usos is also fairly unlikely even though it's an even greater pairing. That leaves both Sanity and Rusev Day as the guys to emerge victorious. The Bar are just here to have great matches and put over the other talent.
Hardy vs. Orton was Not the SmackDown Match That Deserved Hell in a Cell
Overview: Jeff Hardy demanded Randy Orton fight him one more time, and Randy Orton refused for now. The Daredevil didn't listen though, immediately announcing he would face The Viper inside Hell in a Cell.
Analysis: After SummerSlam, I was excited about the potential of AJ Styles and Samoa Joe going to war inside the Cell. Even if it feels a bit fast, I was also all for Charlotte vs. Becky inside the structure. Sure, Hardy vs. Orton has some heat, but it's nowhere near those matches for quality potential.
At best, this is a way to let Hardy work the Cell once in his career, and that just means he'll destroy his back even more in the match to make the most of the opportunity.
Conclusion
SmackDown has been pretty consistent quality for a while now, and this week was no different. Excluding the embarrassing Billie Kay match with Naomi, every segment worked, and there was a lot of wrestling to enjoy throughout the night.
The show even included the first encounter between Daniel Bryan and Andrade Cien Almas, who were solid enough for a first time out but could pull out an all time great at some point. The product also is wholly focused on Hell in a Cell, and it makes the brand so much smoother to watch.
He was so young. Raul didn't deserve this end.
205 Live August 28, 2018
205 Will Be My Wrestling Show of the Year in 2018
Overview: Akira Tozawa got his hands on The Brian Kendrick after he was assaulted last week by Kendrick, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak. Tozawa won with a diving senton after a fairly one-sided match. Hideo Itami beat up a local jobber until he felt comfortable hitting repeated corner dropkicks.
This brought out an incensed Mustafa Ali making his return to run off Itami. Buddy Murphy and Kalisto capped off the night with a fast-paced match where Murphy emerged with the win clean thanks to Murphy's Law after everyone else had been ejected from ringside.
Analysis: This was not a top night for 205 Live, but it continued to show why the brand is so good. The formula works, and recently the middle squash matches have even gained more character. Everyone's working at top form with their own stories to tell.
The cruiserweight division may have the strongest roster of any brand, and everyone goes out of their way to up the ante when they get the chance. It is the wrestling show to watch in WWE, and it's not all that close.
Overview: Akira Tozawa got his hands on The Brian Kendrick after he was assaulted last week by Kendrick, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak. Tozawa won with a diving senton after a fairly one-sided match. Hideo Itami beat up a local jobber until he felt comfortable hitting repeated corner dropkicks.
This brought out an incensed Mustafa Ali making his return to run off Itami. Buddy Murphy and Kalisto capped off the night with a fast-paced match where Murphy emerged with the win clean thanks to Murphy's Law after everyone else had been ejected from ringside.
Analysis: This was not a top night for 205 Live, but it continued to show why the brand is so good. The formula works, and recently the middle squash matches have even gained more character. Everyone's working at top form with their own stories to tell.
The cruiserweight division may have the strongest roster of any brand, and everyone goes out of their way to up the ante when they get the chance. It is the wrestling show to watch in WWE, and it's not all that close.
NXT August 29, 2018
The Mystery of Aleister Black's Attacker is Paying Off Big Already
Overview: William Regal interrupted Johnny Gargano to ask him about attacking Aleister Black before The Velveteen Dream demanded respect only to get a match with Gargano next week instead. Lars Sullivan laid out EC3 backstage for saying earlier that Sullivan was the attacker then destroyed Raul Mendoza.
Regal continued his complete investigation by talking with The Forgotten Sons (Jaxson Ryker, Steve Cutler, and Wesley Blake) about the attack before they were promised an opportunity next week. Nikki Cross admitted she knew who attacked Black but would not say who.
Analysis: Basically everything beyond the main event was focused on Black's attacker, and it has already created multiple stories. This is already a much more interesting angle than Itami's injury a few years back that hopefully will lead to an exciting story for Black as well.
Overview: William Regal interrupted Johnny Gargano to ask him about attacking Aleister Black before The Velveteen Dream demanded respect only to get a match with Gargano next week instead. Lars Sullivan laid out EC3 backstage for saying earlier that Sullivan was the attacker then destroyed Raul Mendoza.
Regal continued his complete investigation by talking with The Forgotten Sons (Jaxson Ryker, Steve Cutler, and Wesley Blake) about the attack before they were promised an opportunity next week. Nikki Cross admitted she knew who attacked Black but would not say who.
Analysis: Basically everything beyond the main event was focused on Black's attacker, and it has already created multiple stories. This is already a much more interesting angle than Itami's injury a few years back that hopefully will lead to an exciting story for Black as well.
Match of the Week
Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens, Monday Night Raw August 27, 2018 (Rating: 9.25/10)
One of the longest rivalries in KO's Universal Championship reign was against Rollins, and they did not have great matches together. Every time they really got going, Chris Jericho got involved and killed the interest. Not only did this match have no interference, it was the most athletic Owens has looked just about ever.
This was an energized title match with a hot crowd that worked from start to finish. The contest never really slowed down, and it was clear just how desperate KO was to regain some momentum and take a championship.
It was the closest we have ever seen to Owens working as a face, and it showed in the follow-up. Rollins paid him respect, and it was easy to sympathize with KO's frustration. When he decided to quit, it felt earned. He had worked his hardest and still failed in his last ditch effort.
Honorable Mention: Kalisto vs. Buddy Murphy, 205 Live August 28, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
If you take out the first five minutes where the support of both men had to be thrown out to make the fight fair, this would have been one of the best matches of the year. That's not all that surprising though given Murphy is on all-time run right now as a main roster rookie and Kalisto is a fantastic luchador at the very top of the brand.
This was fast-paced, energetic, and surprising with Murphy pulling out a clean victory in the end. While it looked for a bit like The Best Kept Secret was being demoted after losing to Cedric Alexander, his and Tony Nese's feud with The Lucha House Party has been just about the best thing on the entire brand recently.
One of the longest rivalries in KO's Universal Championship reign was against Rollins, and they did not have great matches together. Every time they really got going, Chris Jericho got involved and killed the interest. Not only did this match have no interference, it was the most athletic Owens has looked just about ever.
This was an energized title match with a hot crowd that worked from start to finish. The contest never really slowed down, and it was clear just how desperate KO was to regain some momentum and take a championship.
It was the closest we have ever seen to Owens working as a face, and it showed in the follow-up. Rollins paid him respect, and it was easy to sympathize with KO's frustration. When he decided to quit, it felt earned. He had worked his hardest and still failed in his last ditch effort.
Honorable Mention: Kalisto vs. Buddy Murphy, 205 Live August 28, 2018 (Rating: 8.75/10)
If you take out the first five minutes where the support of both men had to be thrown out to make the fight fair, this would have been one of the best matches of the year. That's not all that surprising though given Murphy is on all-time run right now as a main roster rookie and Kalisto is a fantastic luchador at the very top of the brand.
This was fast-paced, energetic, and surprising with Murphy pulling out a clean victory in the end. While it looked for a bit like The Best Kept Secret was being demoted after losing to Cedric Alexander, his and Tony Nese's feud with The Lucha House Party has been just about the best thing on the entire brand recently.
