10 Things We Learned From The Post-Backlash WWE SmackDown (May 23)
8. Bankers
SmackDown Live!'s 'Land of Opportunity' rhetoric has been forcefed from the company as a line in the sand to draw with Monday Night Raw, but the show can at least lay claim to just doing the obvious when given all the right tools. The company know they have a good hand for the high stakes ladder match, and are wisely going all-in.
In AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler, the blue brand has six superstars ranging from good to great, who've all at least found some footing on Tuesday nights in a way they'd maybe (and in Sami's case, did) struggle to on Monday's flagship. There is also, crucially, intrigue in who will actually win.
Owens is perhaps the most interesting study. A former Universal Champion, he'd be absolutely fabulous with the briefcase, but his 'Face of America' persona as well may be too much gimmick for one man. Babyfaces aren't traditionally good choices, but Nakamura and Styles are both beloved enough to wait it out before picking their shot. Ziggler's cash-in is one of the greatest, an inexorably links him to the stipulation. Corbin and Zayn represent keen outsiders who would wear the push well should they steal the prize.
Here's hoping WWE's shattered creative team can make it to the pay-per-view without completely exploiting the six involved.