7 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (3 Jan - Results & Review)
WWE SmackDown's three hour era begins with a huge title change and "Transfer Window' carnage.
Understandably, most of WWE's focus has gone on hyping up Monday's Netflix debut as much as humanly possible. You couldn't move for the Netflix chat on this week's SmackDown, but it's puzzling how much of an issue that seems to be for some on social media. Why is anyone pointing fingers at the company for promoting their own products? What's the alternative? That they...don't? That wouldn't make much sense.
Ceaseless Netflix hype wasn't one of the show's problems anyway. Being honest, the blue brand didn't have too many on Friday (some of the 'Downs' featured here are fairly minor and could be one fan jumping the gun by looking into things waaaay too much). It was a solid episode with one huge moment that'll get everyone talking. The future of women's wrestling arrived in style on Friday, put it that way.
WWE waved goodbye to the two hour format on last week's broadcast, so there's a bit more to highlight from this three hour special. On that, it's keeping things "special" that'll be one of Triple H's objectives in coming weeks and months. Nothing is certain there, but WrestleMania season should help a lot.
Star power wasn't threadbare. Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, The Usos and Solo Sikoa's Bloodline all worked various segments and matches for the live crowd. Further, a big title change and a few other bells and whistles made SmackDown more than watchable.
Here's all the good and bad from a show that'll have to be content with 'B' tier status behind Raw for a while. Yes, again!