Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
December is the worst month in WWE. The company just stops trying, and it is so obvious. TLC is basically just a thrown-together show where the talent always outshine the storylines. Beyond that, there's nothing. The Road to WrestleMania is over a month away, and no one really wants to try until then.
It's around this time we all come together with our families and celebrate the holidays, and I implore any wrestling fan to avoid pointing potential friends and family to the show at this point. They'll watch one of these weeks and think the entire year is like this.
Just tell them to watch the Royal Rumble at the end of January instead. They'll be so excited for what it could be like that, by the time it comes, you'll likely have done a better job hyping the show than WWE.
It's around this time we all come together with our families and celebrate the holidays, and I implore any wrestling fan to avoid pointing potential friends and family to the show at this point. They'll watch one of these weeks and think the entire year is like this.
Just tell them to watch the Royal Rumble at the end of January instead. They'll be so excited for what it could be like that, by the time it comes, you'll likely have done a better job hyping the show than WWE.
I mean, did anyone expect this to go any differently from the first day these two started working together?
Monday Night Raw December 3, 2018
Rushing a Dolph Ziggler Face Turn Was WWE's Answer for How to Not Have Raw Be a Complete Waste
Overview: Baron Corbin held Drew McIntyre Appreciation night and presented a gold medal to The Scottish Psychopath, but Dolph Ziggler interrupted to question McIntyre ignoring him lately. McIntyre called him a stepping stone that had already served its purpose, which set off The Showoff.
After Ziggler planted McIntyre with a Zig Zag, Corbin made an impromptu match between the two. Thanks to a timely assist where Finn Balor running dropkicked the big man into the barricade, McIntyre walked right into a superkick with Ziggler picking up the first pinfall win over his former friend since his return.
Analysis: At his best, Ziggler is absolutely among the most exciting wrestlers to watch in WWE, but he's rarely at his best. His work with McIntyre was a great boost to his career, and, since they separated, the difference has been staggering. The Showoff needed to turn to gain back any momentum.
However, this felt rushed. The two were separated for weeks without explanation then just explode for the sake of one interesting Raw segment. In fact, this was the only interesting Raw segment. It was like WWE was trying to apologize for everything else by forcing a story that would have been better served stretched out.
Heath Slater as a Referee Has More Potential Than Baron Corbin as GM Ever Did
Overview: Corbin forced Heath Slater and Rhyno to wrestle with the loser fired. Slater defeated Rhyno with a neckbreaker, and, as a reward, the GM elect announced Slater would be forging a new career path from now on as a referee.
Analysis: I am all for any One-Man Band story. Slater knocks everything out of the park. He's not a great in-ring performer, but he's unbelievably charismatic. As a referee for now, he should get on TV every week and show off his best traits to build some momentum for a bigger run down the line.
Conclusion
This show sucks.
Overview: Baron Corbin held Drew McIntyre Appreciation night and presented a gold medal to The Scottish Psychopath, but Dolph Ziggler interrupted to question McIntyre ignoring him lately. McIntyre called him a stepping stone that had already served its purpose, which set off The Showoff.
After Ziggler planted McIntyre with a Zig Zag, Corbin made an impromptu match between the two. Thanks to a timely assist where Finn Balor running dropkicked the big man into the barricade, McIntyre walked right into a superkick with Ziggler picking up the first pinfall win over his former friend since his return.
Analysis: At his best, Ziggler is absolutely among the most exciting wrestlers to watch in WWE, but he's rarely at his best. His work with McIntyre was a great boost to his career, and, since they separated, the difference has been staggering. The Showoff needed to turn to gain back any momentum.
However, this felt rushed. The two were separated for weeks without explanation then just explode for the sake of one interesting Raw segment. In fact, this was the only interesting Raw segment. It was like WWE was trying to apologize for everything else by forcing a story that would have been better served stretched out.
Heath Slater as a Referee Has More Potential Than Baron Corbin as GM Ever Did
Overview: Corbin forced Heath Slater and Rhyno to wrestle with the loser fired. Slater defeated Rhyno with a neckbreaker, and, as a reward, the GM elect announced Slater would be forging a new career path from now on as a referee.
Analysis: I am all for any One-Man Band story. Slater knocks everything out of the park. He's not a great in-ring performer, but he's unbelievably charismatic. As a referee for now, he should get on TV every week and show off his best traits to build some momentum for a bigger run down the line.
Conclusion
This show sucks.
Grade: F
All those concussions caused Daniel Bryan to go crazy, thinking we should all be responsible with how we are killing our world.
SmackDown Live December 4, 2018
Environmentalism is a True Defining Heel Trait
Overview: On Miz TV, Daniel Bryan refused to admit The Miz inspired him to turn bad but was happy to admit that he hated the fans for their spoiled and self-serving destruction of the environment.
He continued to rail on commentary during Miz vs. AJ Styles. After The Phenomenal One made The A-Lister tap to the Calf Crusher, Bryan caught his TLC opponent with a chop block and heel hook that he refused to let go as the show ended.
Analysis: Bryan is back in top form on the mic, and it's wonderful to see. He's clearly been wanting to go off like this for a while. While it is classic WWE to sell Bryan's environmentally friendly leanings as preachy environmentalism, it is working for now to get heat.
Bryan is even getting to fully lean into the heel hook as his new submission finish, so everything is coming up right for him.
Telling the Truth is a True Defining Heel Trait
Overview: As Jeff Hardy tried to put away Randy Orton in their match, Samoa Joe appeared on the titantron at a bar. The distraction allowed Orton to hit an RKO followed by insult added to injury as The Samoan Submission Specialist gave a Drink Responsibly PSA to the fans.
Analysis: Hardy has lived a difficult life and overcome many personal demons, but it is still remarkable just how much truth Joe uses to get heat. He hated The Charismatic Enigma for getting opportunities he never got despite Hardy repeatedly screwing up and rarely being reprimanded.
The only way Joe could lean more into this gimmick was if he pointed out that the only guy protected more than Hardy over the years was his far-too-frequent opponent Orton.
Conclusion
SmackDown had just five complete segments over its run time, leaning into each match and promo to maximize time. It felt like one of the most effortless and effective wrestling shows in a while. This cannot happen every week given how many wrestlers were left out, but it showed why the blue brand works while the red brand doesn't.
Booking a two-hour wrestling show is so simpler than three hours because WWE is not meant to go that long outside of major events. While it is not impossible for Raw to be good, SmackDown is good without even trying too hard most weeks.
Overview: On Miz TV, Daniel Bryan refused to admit The Miz inspired him to turn bad but was happy to admit that he hated the fans for their spoiled and self-serving destruction of the environment.
He continued to rail on commentary during Miz vs. AJ Styles. After The Phenomenal One made The A-Lister tap to the Calf Crusher, Bryan caught his TLC opponent with a chop block and heel hook that he refused to let go as the show ended.
Analysis: Bryan is back in top form on the mic, and it's wonderful to see. He's clearly been wanting to go off like this for a while. While it is classic WWE to sell Bryan's environmentally friendly leanings as preachy environmentalism, it is working for now to get heat.
Bryan is even getting to fully lean into the heel hook as his new submission finish, so everything is coming up right for him.
Telling the Truth is a True Defining Heel Trait
Overview: As Jeff Hardy tried to put away Randy Orton in their match, Samoa Joe appeared on the titantron at a bar. The distraction allowed Orton to hit an RKO followed by insult added to injury as The Samoan Submission Specialist gave a Drink Responsibly PSA to the fans.
Analysis: Hardy has lived a difficult life and overcome many personal demons, but it is still remarkable just how much truth Joe uses to get heat. He hated The Charismatic Enigma for getting opportunities he never got despite Hardy repeatedly screwing up and rarely being reprimanded.
The only way Joe could lean more into this gimmick was if he pointed out that the only guy protected more than Hardy over the years was his far-too-frequent opponent Orton.
Conclusion
SmackDown had just five complete segments over its run time, leaning into each match and promo to maximize time. It felt like one of the most effortless and effective wrestling shows in a while. This cannot happen every week given how many wrestlers were left out, but it showed why the blue brand works while the red brand doesn't.
Booking a two-hour wrestling show is so simpler than three hours because WWE is not meant to go that long outside of major events. While it is not impossible for Raw to be good, SmackDown is good without even trying too hard most weeks.
Grade: B+
Marina Shafir learning on the job by just mimicking the top heel's every move.
NXT and NXT UK December 5, 2018
When Kairi Sane is Healthy, The Three Horsewomen vs. Sane, Io Shirai, and Dakota Kai Will Be Money
Overview: Dakota Kai tried to get some revenge against Shayna Baszler, but she fell once more after a competitive fight to the Kirifuda Clutch. Afterward, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir helped beat down Kai until Io Shirai ran down and took out all the heels.
Analysis: Kairi Sane is recovering from HF&M right now, so she will be missed on the latest NXT tapings. It is obvious that she is missed right now in selling this six-woman rivalry even though it is still clearly a big story.
Kai and Baszler are good together while Shirai and Sane are always good and should be the perfect babyfaces to help establish the Three Horsewomen before they become the Four Horsewomen.
Fabian Aichner Could Find a New Life in NXT UK
Overview: Fabian Aichner stated in an interview before this match that he was happy to be in NXT UK and wanted to just have a good match. However, as Mark Andrews pushed him, Aichner lost all sense of fair competition, throwing his opponent into the steel steps to try and take a count out then winning with a spinning powerbomb.
Analysis: Aichner has been a constant presence in WWE developmental for a while, but he has never really stood out. Now he seems to be coming out of his shell, and it is fascinating to watch. He recently won the Evolve Championship, and he could be looking for NXT UK gold soon as well.
He had a good match here with Andrews, but it was obvious that he still has serious untapped potential he can showcase.
Overview: Dakota Kai tried to get some revenge against Shayna Baszler, but she fell once more after a competitive fight to the Kirifuda Clutch. Afterward, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir helped beat down Kai until Io Shirai ran down and took out all the heels.
Analysis: Kairi Sane is recovering from HF&M right now, so she will be missed on the latest NXT tapings. It is obvious that she is missed right now in selling this six-woman rivalry even though it is still clearly a big story.
Kai and Baszler are good together while Shirai and Sane are always good and should be the perfect babyfaces to help establish the Three Horsewomen before they become the Four Horsewomen.
Fabian Aichner Could Find a New Life in NXT UK
Overview: Fabian Aichner stated in an interview before this match that he was happy to be in NXT UK and wanted to just have a good match. However, as Mark Andrews pushed him, Aichner lost all sense of fair competition, throwing his opponent into the steel steps to try and take a count out then winning with a spinning powerbomb.
Analysis: Aichner has been a constant presence in WWE developmental for a while, but he has never really stood out. Now he seems to be coming out of his shell, and it is fascinating to watch. He recently won the Evolve Championship, and he could be looking for NXT UK gold soon as well.
He had a good match here with Andrews, but it was obvious that he still has serious untapped potential he can showcase.
205 Live December 5, 2018
Hideo Itami and Ariya Daivari Are the Best Thing for Each Other's Careers
Overview: Ariya Daivari showed how much he has taken from watching Hideo Itami by destroying his jobber opponent and refusing to take the pinfall. He assaulted his opponent until the referee called for the bell. Afterward, Itami was shown backstage, approving of the carnage.
Analysis: Itami has always been better than he has shown in WWE, but it's likely he'll never be able to be that guy again. For now, it is a great idea to pair him with Daivari as both can be ruthless strikers in a division lacking severely on that front.
Overview: Ariya Daivari showed how much he has taken from watching Hideo Itami by destroying his jobber opponent and refusing to take the pinfall. He assaulted his opponent until the referee called for the bell. Afterward, Itami was shown backstage, approving of the carnage.
Analysis: Itami has always been better than he has shown in WWE, but it's likely he'll never be able to be that guy again. For now, it is a great idea to pair him with Daivari as both can be ruthless strikers in a division lacking severely on that front.
Match of the Week
Jordan Devlin vs. Flash Morgan Webster, NXT UK December 5, 2018 (Rating: 8.5/10)
Jordan Devlin takes the top spot for two weeks in a row. I stated that Pete Dunne and Zack Gibson were at a level above the rest in this division, but Devlin has proven that wrong with a true lead performance again. He and Flash Morgan Webster told a fantastic story together.
The Ace of NXT UK went into this aggressive and overconfident, and he paid for it as Webster came up fiery. He almost stole this and got his first big win for the brand before Devlin proved that he's still an elite performer by getting serious when it mattered.
Honorable Mention: Jey Uso vs. Xavier Woods vs. Cesaro, SmackDown December 4, 2018 (Rating: 8.25/10)
This was mostly just a series of highlight reel moments, but it certainly did its job in that role. Cesaro as always is an absurd athlete who can seemingly do anything, and it showcased so often when he gets to compete on his own. Meanwhile, Xavier Woods always seems ready to deliver these days.
Jey Uso came off a bit like a man out of his element, but he certainly held his own. Together, these three were just too talented not to stand out, and they gave a great preview of what the triple threat tag team title match should be like.
Jordan Devlin takes the top spot for two weeks in a row. I stated that Pete Dunne and Zack Gibson were at a level above the rest in this division, but Devlin has proven that wrong with a true lead performance again. He and Flash Morgan Webster told a fantastic story together.
The Ace of NXT UK went into this aggressive and overconfident, and he paid for it as Webster came up fiery. He almost stole this and got his first big win for the brand before Devlin proved that he's still an elite performer by getting serious when it mattered.
Honorable Mention: Jey Uso vs. Xavier Woods vs. Cesaro, SmackDown December 4, 2018 (Rating: 8.25/10)
This was mostly just a series of highlight reel moments, but it certainly did its job in that role. Cesaro as always is an absurd athlete who can seemingly do anything, and it showcased so often when he gets to compete on his own. Meanwhile, Xavier Woods always seems ready to deliver these days.
Jey Uso came off a bit like a man out of his element, but he certainly held his own. Together, these three were just too talented not to stand out, and they gave a great preview of what the triple threat tag team title match should be like.