6 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (18 Oct - Results & Review)
Bloodline battle lines are drawn; Motor City Machine Guns debut; Cody Rhodes struggles to convince.
This week's SmackDown wasn't essential viewing from start to finish, but The Bloodline's story continues to be pro wrestling's most watchable. Triple H and his team have become masters of delivering in easy-to-digest, bite-sized chunks. They offer just enough to make each week relevant without trying to cram too much down your gullet.
Of course, it helps that Roman Reigns is back to add more weight to the drama. His performances are top notch, and the 'OTC' slammed onto SmackDown with more subtle genius that highlights one important point: Solo Sikoa might be a heel, but he's also absolutely right about the guy he wants to acknowledge his status.
Cody Rhodes is currently suffering through a bit of a low ebb, but that's hardly his fault. WWE's Crown Jewel Title chat is frankly boring, and it's hard to see that changing even when GUNTHER crosses over from Raw to come face to face with Rhodes. They're really up against it here, because people just don't care about this Saudi Arabian belt.
Elsewhere, Motor City Machine Guns had a respectable debut, Kevin Owens explained his behaviour, an NXT star looked better than she did previously, and Nia Jax got some new backup. We'll see how long that lasts though.
Here's all the good and bad.