9 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 15)
Mysterio and Andrade steal the show in an early Match of the Year contender.
Last night's WWE SmackDown didn't quite match the previous week's greatness, but it doesn't even matter. Sometimes, all it takes is one excellent bout to lift an entire broadcast. This was the case here, as two of the blue brand's best wrestlers stood across the ring from one another, then threw down with a pay-per-view calibre scrap the likes of which we rarely see on weekly television, but will never not be thankful for when they do come along.
It shouldn't much effort to figure out which clash we're talking about. Regardless, this episode had plenty to offer elsewhere too, though one ongoing storyline nosedived creatively.
The Miz held a big birthday bash for new best friend Shane McMahon, attempting, once again, to solidify their alliance ahead of the Royal Rumble. Becky Lynch and Asuka kicked SmackDown off with aplomb, the promise of Andrade vs. Rey Mysterio had everyone salivating, and with the planned Carmella vs. Sonya Deville match scrapped, Sonya's partner, Mandy Rose, came up with a new way to manipulate Naomi and husband Jimmy Uso.
A very good episode rather than a great one, these two hours nonetheless pushed SmackDown towards the Rumble with vigour and purpose. Let's run it down...