WWE SmackDown: 10 Things You Might Have Missed (Oct 18)
Did anyone else notice Dean Ambrose comparing James Ellsworth to John Cena!?
It's another month until the next time SmackDown Live hits pay-per-view. That show, Survivor Series, will be a joint effort between the blue brand and Monday Night Raw. This means that focus is likely to shift soon, especially considering Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley have now accepted SmackDown's traditional elimination match challenges for the November special.
Right now, there's a sense that SmackDown is stalling for time. It's therefore pleasing that even with such tactics, the Tuesday night program has managed to remain entertaining. On this week's show, James Ellsworth was unthinkably handed a shot at AJ Styles and the WWE World Title.
A true underdog story, Ellsworth is terrific in his role. Similarly, Styles and Dean Ambrose have played their respective parts perfectly too. SmackDown's main event featured a few hidden gems, all of which are explored here.
For those who skimmed over the latest episode of SmackDown, this article brings together subtle nuances and other things you may have missed entirely.
Nods towards a WWE legend, references to the top women on Raw and even comparisons to the Premier League champions are all included...
10. The Entire Casket Situation Was A Nod Towards The Undertaker
For several years now, Bray Wyatt has drawn comparisons to The Undertaker. Possessing that same eery vibe, Wyatt has a supernatural air to him that makes such parallels understandable. On the latest episode of SmackDown Live, the wacky cult leader went one step further, literally mimicking 'The Deadman' with his performance.
Interrupting a Randy Orton promo, Bray was shown surrounded by men in sheep masks. These figures strongly resembled the druids Undertaker has often been accompanied by during some of his grandest entrances. Zooming in on Wyatt, the heel was shown laying in a casket, another nod towards 'Taker's legacy.
That wasn't the last one either, there was more to come when Wyatt poked his nose into the match between Orton and his disciple Luke Harper. Coming out in the coffin, Bray left the death bed and closed the lid when he reached ringside.
Kane then popped out of the casket, yet another reference towards The Undertaker. Could this be WWE's way of trying to subtly convince fans that Wyatt is the new Undertaker? Surely it can't have been coincidence.