10 Ways WWE In 2017 Could Have Been COMPLETELY Different
1. Keep Talking
WWE's worst decision of 2017 even beyond the most diabolical Jinder-related calamities, the budget-driven cancellation of Talking Smack was infuriatingly short-sighted.
Binned alongside a host of other Network projects due to viewer figures apparently not justifying the production costs, the SmackDown Live! post-show was unceremoniously dumped without even affording a courtesy call to talented presenting partners Renee Young and Daniel Bryan. They openly mocked the Kurt Angle/Jason Jordan parental revelation in a one-off guerrilla edition 'Smacking Talk' a week after its unceremonious dismissal, such was the show's cult popularity and their chemistry on it.
Away from the legitimately hilarious meanderings of the hosts, the show was a bonafide star-maker. In the same way active roster members came across thousands of times better on Network documentaries, their long-form semi-improvisational efforts often outstripped the monotone monologues they were fed on the preceding broadcast. Jinder Mahal, Baron Corbin, The Usos, Mojo Rawley, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and The Miz were regularly required viewing on the show. A less-than-successful appearance for Alexa Bliss left her red-faced but battle-hardened. She rapidly grew into one of the most confident speakers on either show - a testament to the power of the vehicle even when it went badly.
SmackDown Live!'s 2017 decline isn't all because its sister show left the scene. But the loss of the outlet is still clearly felt today.