10 Ways SmackDown Live! Can Recover Before 2018
1. A Glorious Ascent
Things aren't perfect when assessing WWE's record nurturing NXT success stories, but in Bobby Roode, they have a huge chance to make things...well...glorious.
Polishing off Mike Bennett in week two of his SmackDown Live! career, the expectant joy on Roode's fizzog was probably visible in Row Z, which is unsurprising considering his propensity for connecting with audiences the old fashioned way.
A robust and measured in-ring performer, Roode was a joy to watch as a heel in NXT, but as those who saw his TNA career in full bloom can attest to, he is equally sharp as a babyface, particularly when required to make a fire-filled comeback.
His entrance music and overall presentation has, since its very birth last summer, made the pavlovian audience response one of enormous positivity, but the 'Glorious One' used his vast technical ability to coax support back across the void to each of his babyface opponents. He deftly steered adoration the way of Hideo Itami and Drew McIntyre, two stars not exactly well known for galvanising the affection of the NXT faithful.
Like AJ Styles, Bobby's health belies his advancing years thanks to spending over a decade on TNA's lighter schedule, and still looks to have plenty of time to contribute his very special skillset to WWE's flagging B-Show, but with the state the show is currently in, put the title on him yesterday. He might not have the dollar sign on his trunks anymore, but Roode is still money.