4 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (13 Dec - Results & Review)

2. Another Worryingly Flat Semi Final

First off, you'd need a heart of stone not to be delighted for Chelsea Green. However, was anyone else expecting a lot more from this semi final match vs. Bayley than we got? The bout meandered along and was the second semi in a row that fell flat. Fans in Hartford barely reacted to anything until the finish, and they weren't given much of a reason to jump up out of their seats or get excited.

Man, Bayley's 2024 has fizzled out after a ridiculously hot first quarter. She had all the momentum in the world after winning the Royal Rumble, splitting from Damage CTRL then beating IYO SKY to become Women's Champ at WrestleMania 40, but the 'Role Model' hasn't kicked on from there. If anything, she's gone backwards and become one of the blandest babyfaces on the entire roster.

It sucks to see.

Hopefully, Green vs. Michin is a surprise package finale at SNME, because both semis were mediocre at best. Of course, the most important thing is that someone like Chelsea benefits from holding a singles title, but the closing stretch of this tourney hasn't exactly filled anyone with hope that the Women's United States or Women's Intercontinental straps will be must see. Perhaps that's totally unfair - these are early days.

Here's the problem: Green is a great comedy character, but she'll need to work lengthier matches like this one more frequently to thrive as a champion. Say your prayers that Friday was merely an off night for both Chelsea and Bayley. Their match lacked energy.