9 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (13 Sept - Results & Review)
Roman Reigns returns on SmackDown's season premiere; WWE signs a major match for Bad Blood.
SmackDown felt like WWE's 'A' show this week, and not only because Triple H front-loaded the thing for a season premiere on USA Network. The star power, general vibe, big match feel and atmosphere inside the arena told you one thing: WWE's product is hot right now, and people simply can't get enough of what they're being fed.
Add 'knowing how to do a season premiere right' to Hunter's checklist as boss too, because 'The Game' nailed almost every beat of this broadcast. The show opened and closed with a bang, and there was enough for the midcard pack sandwiched in the middle to keep them busy too.
Your writer had to proper reach for some 'Downs'. They're not here to add some balance though - they're deserved moans about two little gripes watching SmackDown. One match just wasn't necessary, and there's a worry one of the brand's top babyfaces is about to go off course by sprinkling in something she did as a heel.
Back on the positive side, this ruled overall. Roman Reigns returned, a bumper match has been signed for Bad Blood that stops Cody Rhodes from working another speed bump-style title defence, and pretty much everything had stakes or meaning.
Enjoy.