WWE SmackDown: 10 Things You Might Have Missed (Nov 22)
James Ellsworth pretty much won on his own...
For the past few months, James Ellsworth has existed as an anomaly on the WWE landscape. It wasn't until this week's episode of SmackDown that it was acknowledged the enhancement talent didn't actually have a company contract to call his own. That means Ellsworth has been akin to a free agent since becoming a regular character.
Ellsworth's contractual situation was the crux of SmackDown Live, AJ Styles challenged the no-chinned wonder to a Ladder Match. Hanging high above the ring would be that elusive SmackDown deal, available to Ellsworth if he could somehow win. Also up for grabs was another shot at AJ's WWE Title.
Shane McMahon banned Dean Ambrose from the building in the same segment. Ultimately, that didn't stop the 'Lunatic Fringe' from getting involved in the main event. Remarkably though, the match was still there for Styles to win even after Dean's interruption.
Keyboard warriors and some smart roleplaying from Shane McMahon, water tight points made by heels and one tongue-in-cheek remark on commentary are all here.
Let's look at some things you may just have missed on the latest SmackDown...
10. Chris Jericho's Name Wasn't Cheered During The Opening Segment
Out first on SmackDown Live, Commissioner Shane McMahon wanted to talk about the big Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown match at Survivor Series. The beauty of Shane's current character is that he doesn't come across as especially smug even when he's gloating.
Running through the likes of Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns, it was Chris Jericho's name Shane uttered first. Pausing for a second after giving credit to the members of Team Raw, Shane surely anticipated some cheers to come flooding at him. McMahon must have been surprised when the live crowd booed.
SmackDown was in Ottawa, Canada, Jericho's home country. On Raw, he and KO were treated like homecoming heroes in Toronto. Ottawa's audience wasn't quite so receptive, at least behind Y2J's back. Instead of the wild cheers Jericho has been hearing lately, SmackDown's crowd greeted the announcement of his name with negativity.
In fact, nobody Shane mentioned was really cheered aside from Rollins. Even then, the reception was polite at best. It's surprising that this mention of Jericho and Owens failed to pop the fans.