The SmackDown Files: Year Of The American Dragon - Welcome To Rebirth of Daniel Bryan (3-20-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 3-20-2018

Location: American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. (Night 2 of 2)

The Ultimate Deletion of The Raw Exposé: My apologies for not posting last night’s Raw Review. Severe weather prevented me from finishing it on time, but I’m back to give my fellow readers their Tuesday Night Fix.

Comeback of the Decade: Daniel Bryan. Enough said.

·         SmackDown Live got off to a hot start with Daniel Bryan explaining his amazing return to in-ring competition. Bryan cut a heartfelt promo about how Brie encouraged him to see specialist after specialist in order to get back in the ring. When he was angry or depressed, she pushed him to fight for his dreams.

·         The fans hung on to every word Bryan said as they showered him with “Yes!” chants. Bryan thanked WWE and their medical team for having his best interests at heart by viewing him as a person instead of a wrestler. He thanked Brie for pushing him to chase after a dream he thought was unreachable a couple of years ago. He thanked the fans for always having his back before wrapping up the opening segment by teasing his in-ring return at WrestleMania.

·         This was a great way to kick off the show. Daniel Bryan is one of my favorite wrestlers of all-time and it’s amazing that he gets to do what he loves once again. It’s been a long journey, but the wait has been worth it. Bryan’s authenticity makes him stand out from the pack as one of the most relatable and lovable babyfaces in WWE history. This a major game changer that will shake up the world of professional wrestling in 2018. The dream matches are endless and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.

·         Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rusev with an Inside Cradle in a solid match. The bout was too short for my taste, but the action was good while it lasted. The finishing sequence was especially strong with Rusev ducking several of Nakamura’s kicks until he got caught with a jumping Armbar in a great spot. Rusev tried to counter with a roll-up, but Nakamura countered the counter which set up the finish moments later.

·         After the match was over, Aiden English attacked Nakamura from behind as AJ Styles looked on from ringside. Rusev joined in on the beat down as Styles took his time getting in the ring. However, The Phenomenal One’s services weren’t needed as Nakamura made quick work of Rusev and English.

·         Styles and Nakamura had a funny confrontation backstage as Nakamura told Styles that he shouldn’t lack confidence heading into their WWE Championship match at WrestleMania. The delivery of that line was hilarious as Nakamura reminded Styles that he was going to knee him in the face in three weeks.

·         Baron Corbin defeated Tye Dillinger with End of Days in a short and sloppy match. This was a random bout that was thrown together without any rhyme or reason. The fans didn’t care because both men have been stuck in mid-card hell for months with no sign of escape in sight. It’s sad but true.

·         Natalya defeated Charlotte with a roll-up thanks to a failed Money in the Bank cash-in attempt by Carmella. Charlotte and Natalya were having a really good match that was on the verge of being one of the best television bouts of the year until the controversial finish.

·         Natalya dropped Charlotte with a beautiful Superplex from the top rope. Both ladies were down for the count when Carmella ran down to the ring with another referee in tow. She told the ref that she was ready to cash-in her briefcase. Charles Robinson never rang the bell to make the second match official which allowed Charlotte to nail Carmella with a boot to the face. However, the distraction allowed Natalya to roll-up Charlotte for the win.

·         This seemed like an elaborate ruse by the heels, but I wanted the match to have a more definitive finish because Natalya and Charlotte were putting on a show until things ended on a flat note. Here’s hoping there’s a rematch because Charlotte needs to get her win back heading into her SmackDown Women’s Championship Match against Asuka at WrestleMania.

·         Luke Harper defeated Jimmy Uso with the Discus Clothesline in a decent match. It appeared that Harper was going to eat his first loss after Jey Uso nailed him with a Superkick behind the referee’s back. Jimmy followed things up with a Superkick of his own for a near fall. Jimmy climbed up to the top turnbuckle, but Harper slammed his head into the ring post which set up the aforementioned finish. The Bludgeon Brothers continue to claim victims heading into their presumed Triple Threat Match against The Usos and The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania.

·         Jinder Mahal, Bobby Roode, and Randy Orton had a pointless conversation about their Triple Threat Match for the United States Championship at WrestleMania. The segment came to a head when Orton dropped Sunil Singh with a Draping DDT before Roode laid Singh out with the Glorious DDT. Roode went after Orton and almost got nailed with an RKO while Mahal looked on at ringside. Mahal reminded both men that he would see them at Mania as the segment came to an end. This feud sucks. The end.

·         Becky Lynch and Naomi defeated Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan when Lynch made Logan tap out the Dis-Arm-Her. The match was fine, but it was nothing to write home about for the most part.

·         The final segment of SD Live featured Daniel Bryan admonishing Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for what they did to Shane McMahon last week. Bryan wondered why Owens and Zayn attacked McMahon after he booked them in a match against each other at WrestleMania before taking an indefinite leave of absence as SD Live Commissioner. They won the battle and should’ve been thrilled that arch nemesis was going on sabbatical. Instead, they beat up Shane like a government mule and laughed about it afterward. Bryan noted that this was no laughing matter. After much consideration, Bryan fired KO and Zayn. He told them that they could learn something from this experience and come back someday, but their journey as WWE Superstars was over for now.

·         Bryan tried to end things amicably by shaking Owens and Zayn’s hand. Both men were gracious, but their true colors showed when they ambushed Bryan. For the first time in two years, Bryan fought back and delivered his signature running dropkicks to both men as the crowd popped something fierce. Bryan dropped Zayn with a German Suplex before delivering his classic “Yes!” kicks to Owens. Zayn got back in the ring and attacked Bryan which spelled the end of Bryan’s flurry of offense.

·         Owens held Bryan in the corner as Zayn nailed him with the Helluva Kick. The refs tried to break things up, but it was to no avail as Owens dropped Bryan with a Popup Powerbomb on the ring apron as SD Live came to end with medical personnel putting Bryan on a stretcher while Owens and Zayn pitched a fit on the main stage.

·         This was a tremendous way to end the show. Seeing Daniel Bryan take bumps for the first time in almost three years is an amazing sight to see. His brief flurry of offense was great and I admire him for trying to deliver those dropkicks in tight jeans. That is not an easy feat, but he pulled off with the greatest of ease.

·         Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were pitch perfect as they tried to kiss up to Bryan before he dropped the hammer on them. Owens and Zayn were conflicted, but that didn’t stop them from unleashing holy hell on Bryan. They were textbook heels through and through as the fans chanted “You’re Still Fired” to hilarious effect.

·         Despite what happened, I have a feeling that KO and Zayn’s firing will be overturned because Bryan and Shane McMahon are going to face them in a tag team match at WrestleMania. New Orleans is going to be LIT!

·         Overall, I thought this was the best episode of SmackDown Live this year. Daniel Bryan being medically cleared to wrestle is a dream come true. Bryan’s heartfelt promo set the tone for the evening and his beat down capped off an emotional night that won’t soon be forgotten.

·         The in-ring action was so-so, but Charlotte and Natalya win best match of the night honors despite the shitty finish. Everything else on the show was okay, but WWE is doing a nice job hyping the top matches on the SD Live side of the WrestleMania card.

·         Mania is going to be a stacked show with too many top-flight matches to count on one hand. This could be one the greatest WMs of all time. I don’t know if New Orleans has some magic dust, but they have been blessed with two stellar cards over the past four years. Let’s hope that the show lives up to the hype because it has the potential to be a memorable night for all the right reasons.

·         Next week’s penultimate episode of SD Live emanates from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steel City crowd should have no reason to sit on their hands with Daniel Freaking Bryan back on the active roster. If that’s not a good enough reason to get hyped, those fans should have their wrestling fan cards revoked. Just saying…

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with another installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!

The SmackDown Files: And The Idiot Of The Week Goes To...AJ Styles (2-6-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 2-6-2018

Location: Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri

Graphics Be Gone: A little complaining takes the WordArt away. For the most part...

·        SmackDown Live kicked off with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan having a tense conversation regarding their business relationship as of late. McMahon questioned Bryan for giving Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn undeserved opportunities at the WWE Championship in recent weeks. Shane-O-Mac got emotional as he accused Bryan of living vicariously through Owens and Zayn because he can no longer compete in the ring. Before Bryan could respond, AJ Styles made his way to ring.

·        Styles called out both men for their piss poor managerial skills as of late. Styles had no problem taking on all comers, but he was tired of his bosses having a proverbial pissing contest to see who had the real power on SD Live. He told Bryan and McMahon to stay backstage during the Owens-Zayn match because he controlled his own destiny heading into Fastlane and WrestleMania as the opening segment came to an end.

·        This was a fine way to start the show. Power Struggle 2018 is back in full swing as Bryan and McMahon continue to butt heads over Owens and Zayn. McMahon’s words cut deep which could lead to a possible match between him and Bryan at WrestleMania. This is pure speculation at the moment, but WWE has been dropping breadcrumbs over the past few months. If Bryan is medically cleared, all bets are off. If not, the company is playing a deadly game of Russian Roulette that could bite them in the ass if they’re not careful.

·        Charlotte defeated Liv Morgan with the Figure Eight in a decent match. The Riott Squad tried to interfere down the stretch, but the referee caught them red-handed. The ref ejected Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan from ringside which set up the finish moments later. One down. Two to go.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed another random tag team when Rowan pinned Random Wrestler #1 with a double chokeslam. It was short, sweet, and effective.

·        The Usos cut another awesome promo about how they reinvented themselves last year. 2018 would be no different as Jimmy and Jey intend to keep the tag team division on lockdown. Most importantly, there was no jail ceil graphic on the television screen during their promo. Perhaps the WWE Graphics Team learned their lesson from last week.

·        The first ever SD Live 10 Ten List has been revealed:

10) Tye Dillinger

9) Randy Orton

8) Becky Lynch

7) The Usos

6) The New Day

5) Bobby Roode

4) Naomi

3) Shinsuke Nakamura

2) Charlotte Flair

1) AJ Styles.

·        Rusev failing to make the cut saddens me. The shade of it all…

·        Bobby Roode retained the United States Championship when he defeated Rusev with the Glorious DDT in a good match. The bout was perfectly early on, but it didn’t suck me in emotionally until Rusev nailed Roode with the Machka Kick for a near fall. From there, the action was on point as the crowd cheered for both men.

·        Rusev tried to put Roode in the Accolade, but Roode countered with his finisher for the win. The Glorious One didn’t get a chance to celebrate because Randy Orton nailed him with an RKO out of nowhere.

·        Aiden English and Rusev suffered the same fate as the Kansas City crowd popped something fierce. Orton might not be in a front-burner storyline right now, but he is maximizing his minutes by doing very little while getting paid at the same time. The Viper is living the dream.

·        Those damn graphics…Ugh…

·        Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable defeated The Ascension when Benjamin pinned Viktor with the Powerbomb/Diving Clothesline combination in a decent match. Viktor looked impressive as his offense was smooth and crisp throughout. It’s a shame that he doesn’t get a chance to showcase his talent on a regular basis because he’s really good in the ring.

·        Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens ended in a double disqualification after AJ Styles attacked both men at ringside. Before the screwy finish, Owens and Zayn had a very good match that was on the verge of becoming the best television match of 2018 thus far. Both men know each other very well as they delivered the goods with great wrestling and dramatic near falls.

·        Zayn had Owens on the ropes when he confronted Styles at the announce table. Styles told Zayn to take care of Owens, but Zayn continued to run his mouth. Styles turned away from Zayn, but he swung Styles around which led to the Double DQ finish.

·        Styles laid out both men and wanted a winner despite how the match ended. Daniel Bryan appeared on the main stage and announced that Owens and Zayn will face Styles in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship at Fastlane next month. SD Live went off the air with The Phenomenal One fuming in the ring while the announcers bickered about Bryan having an ulterior motive.

·        This was a strong way to end the show. Styles being on guest commentary during the main event was a clear sign that Owens vs. Zayn was going to have a controversial finish. Styles took the bait and KO and Zayn laid the trap like a couple of weasels. Styles’ words came back to haunt him as he claimed he had everything under control during the opening segment. He was in charge of his own destiny and didn’t need Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon meddling in his business. Bryan did just that which will cause further tension between him and McMahon next week.

·        Styles he has to walk through the fire in order to face Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title at WrestleMania. The Triple Threat Match should be a Match of the Year contender if it’s not overbooked to death. I have feeling that Shane-O-Mac and Bryan will get involved, but that’s par for the course as of late. Here’s hoping this is leading up to something big at Mania because WWE continues to throw out red meat when it comes to Bryan’s in-ring status. Is this another mind fuck or something more? We shall find out soon enough.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was solid. The main event saved the show from drowning in a sea of mediocrity. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have wrestled against each other hundreds of times, but they always bring something different to the table. It’s a rivalry that will never get old despite both men burying the hatchet for the time being. Despite getting another shot at the WWE Championship, I don’t think KO and Zayn will cede the spotlight heading into WrestleMania unless one forces the other to do so. We shall see how it all plays out over the next few weeks.

·        The rest of the show was fine, but it didn’t feel must-see until the main event segment. The in-ring action has been subpar as of late which shouldn’t be the case. There are a couple of feuds bubbling beneath the surface, but the blue brand lacks a spark right now. There is no Miz or John Cena to carry the broadcast from a promo standpoint this year. With one more major PPV before Mania, the creative team needs to lay the foundation for something huge that will propel SD Live to the Promised Land. Here’s hoping they get the job done. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!

The SmackDown Files: Just Say The Word - Daniel Bryan's One-Step Guide Towards Match Booking (1-9-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Location: Legacy Arena at The BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama

Date: 1-9-2018

Rallying Cry: Roll Tide!

Somber Cry: Poor Dawgs...

·        SD Live kicked off with Renee Young conducting a sit-down interview with AJ Styles. Young asked Styles if he thought his 2-on-1 handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble was unfair. Styles sidestepped the question because he didn’t want to throw Daniel Bryan under the bus. Renee pressed the issue again which caused Styles to admit that he felt that the decision was unfair because Bryan took his sarcasm as gospel.

·        However, Styles vowed to beat Owens and Zayn at the Rumble to prove that SD Live was still his house.

·        Owens and Zayn came out and accused Styles of backtracking because his mouth got him in trouble last week. The dynamic duo planned to do something that hasn’t been done since the days of Laycool: Become co-Champions! Ah, the good old days… *sniff*

·        Shane McMahon appeared on the main stage and announced that KO and Zayn will face Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles in a 3-on-2 handicap which will take place later tonight. Despite McMahon not agreeing with Bryan’s decision from last week, he still supports him. For now…

·        This was an okay way to start the show. AJ Styles’ promo was fine, but Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were the real MVPs of the segment as Zayn continues to crack me up with his over the top celebrations. His leaping ability is something to behold. Trampoline be damned!

·        Becky Lynch defeated Ruby Riott with the Dis-Arm-Her in a decent match. Nothing more, nothing less.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers made quick work of The Ascension when Harper pinned Viktor with a Powerbomb. Harper and Rowan weren’t finished as they dropped Konner with a double Chokeslam for good measure. Total Domination from the two men with no first name. What can I say? It’s a WWE thing.

·        Mojo Rawley advanced to the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament when Rawley nailed Zack Ryder with a charging forearm for the win. The match was solid as both men showed nice aggression throughout. Rawley still comes off a bit too hyped for my taste, but I am digging his heel character so far. He’s one of the best talkers on SD Live when he’s allowed to speak in his own voice instead of reading from a script. Here’s hoping Mojo is given more mic time in 2018 because he has potential to get over as a big star if the creative team doesn’t drop the ball on his push.

·        Daniel Bryan continues to get booking inspiration from wrestlers when Chad Gable put his foot in his mouth by claiming that Bryan wanted him and Shelton Benjamin to defeat The Usos twice in the same night. Bryan agreed and booked Gable and Benjamin vs. The Usos in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at the Royal Rumble.

·        The segment ran a bit long, but Gable saved the day with his quirky sense of humor while Benjamin played the straight man who set up the punchlines like a boss.

·        In an odd booking decision, Breezango defeated Aiden English and Rusev when Fandango pinned Rusev with a roll-up. The match was fine, but I question the decision because Rusev and English are more over than The Fashion Police. WWE continues to miss the boat on Rusev Day. Sigh…

·        AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a No Disqualification/No Count Out 2-on-3 Handicap Match when Orton nailed Zayn with an RKO for the win. Owens and Zayn intentionally got counted out which ended the first match prematurely. Shane McMahon came out and restarted the match with no count outs.

·        Match #2 got underway with the babyfaces firmly in control. Orton was about to nail Zayn with an RKO when Owens attacked him with a steel chair which drew the automatic DQ. Owens went after Styles and Nakamura before he and Zayn scurried up the ramp like a couple of rats.

·        McMahon appeared once again to make Match #3 No DQ which resulted in Styles chasing KO backstage while Orton and Nakamura cornered Zayn at ringside.

·        Orton hit Zayn in the face with the steel steps before dropping him with a Belly-to-Back Suplex on the announcer table.

·        The Viper tossed Zayn back in the ring as he got nailed with the Kinshasa from Nakamura followed by Orton’s finisher for the win.

·        SD Live went off the air with Nakamura and Orton celebrating in the ring while the announcers questioned whether or not Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were on the same page based on their actions tonight.

·        This was a good way to end the show. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were outsmarted this week, but did McMahon abuse his power by making the duo pay for their sins 2X?

·        Daniel Bryan can point to Shane-O-Mac letting his personal feelings get in the way of what’s best for business. However, Bryan has shown power-hungry tendencies over the past couple of weeks which puts his impartiality into question as well.

·        Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are playing the roles of Good Conscience/Bad Conscience as they try to defend Bryan and McMahon’s actions as of late. One of them is right while the other is blowing things out of proportion. WWE is doing this intentionally as they try to throw fans off the scent when it comes to who’s playing who.

·        It’s a great storyline that keeps people guessing every week. The big reveal will probably take place at the Rumble or Fastlane PPV in March. For the company’s sake, here’s hoping McMahon is the one turning heel because Bryan is not getting booed unless he beats up Captain Planet in a street fight. Just saying…

·        Overall, I thought this tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The in-ring action left a lot to be desired until the main event ended things on a high note.

·        With two more live shows until the Royal Rumble, SD Live needs to turn up the volume heading into the first major PPV of the year. The main event and tag team scene is on fire while the women’s division and mid-card scene are treading water at the moment.

·        The women need to branch off into individual feuds after the Rumble while more depth is needed when it comes to viable challengers for the United States Championship. These issues will continue to bog down the show unless the creative team remedies the situation. *Cough* Push Rusev! *Cough*

·        The Rumble is shaping up nicely, but I need WWE to make me care during the home stretch in order to push things over the top. They’ve got two weeks to get the job done. Let’s hope the E takes care of business because I have a feeling that NXT Takeover: Philadelphia might win the weekend if they’re not too careful. It’s happened nine times over the past two years. Can Triple H make it 10-for-10? We shall find out soon enough.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! 

The SmackDown Files: Daniel Bryan Flirts With The Dark Side Of The Force (1-2-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 1/2/2018

Location: The Amway Center in Orlando, Florida (The Post-WrestleMania Reprisal)

Mission: Who’s playing who in the New Year?

Extra Intel: Welcome to the first SmackDown Files of 2018!

·        Power Struggle 2018 is underway as Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon announced that they would be at ringside during AJ Styles’ match against Sami Zayn later tonight. Let the controversy ensue!

·        It took two tries, but The Usos successfully defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin when Jimmy Uso pinned Shelton Benjamin with the Diving Splash. Gable and Benjamin won the Tag Team Titles for two minutes when Gable illegally pinned Jimmy despite Jey being the legal man.

·        A second referee came down to the ring to set the main ref straight. Once the instant replay was shown on the big screen confirming that Jey was the legal man, the first ref declared the title change null and void and asked for an immediate restart which took place after the commercial break.

·        Gable and Benjamin were on the brink of hitting their finisher on Jey when he dodged Gable’s Diving Clothesline which allowed Jimmy to nail him with a Superkick in midflight.

·        The Usos nailed Benjamin with a double superkick which led to the finish moments later.

·        Both matches left a lot to be desired because I wanted more from an in-ring standpoint. Both teams shouldn’t be subjected to bullshit booking because they are capable of delivering the goods on any given night. The fans were cheated out of a great match that could’ve set the tone for 2018. WWE will probably announce a rematch at the Royal Rumble which might explain what happened tonight.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed Breezango and The Ascension with the greatest of ease. Hulk! Smash!

·        Xavier Woods advanced to the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament when he defeated Aiden English with an Elbow Drop from halfway across the ring. The match was solid, but it was a little rough around the edges at times. Once Woods and English build a rapport with each other from a chemistry standpoint, they will have a much better match in the future.

·        The Riott Squad defeated Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina when Sarah Logan nailed Tamina with the Hail Mary (Reverse Handstand into a Kneedrop) in a decent match. The heel vs. heel dynamic tempered the crowd response, but they cheered for Tamina towards the end due to her powerhouse performance.

·        Ruby Riott tried to tell the crowd that magic wasn’t real which resulted in her getting showered with the dreaded “What?” chant. Riott announced that her crew was entering the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match because it’s high time that people start taking them seriously.

·        Charlotte came out to restore humanity as she told everyone to follow their dreams because they can come true due to persistence and hard work. Since the Riott Squad wanted to give everyone a reality check, Charlotte decided to do the same by helping Naomi and Becky Lynch get a measure of revenge on the dastardly heels that attacked them during their main roster debut last November.

·        The babyfaces cleaned house as the Riott Squad scurried up the ramp to fight another. The segment started off iffy but ended strong with the surprise return of Lynch as she dropped Riott and Liv Morgan with a pair of Exploder Suplexes. The women’s Royal Rumble is shaping up to be a good one if everything goes according to plan.

·        Sami Zayn defeated AJ Styles with the Helluva Kick thanks to an assist from Kevin Owens. The match was good, but it ended in controversy when Shane McMahon shoved Kevin Owens to the floor after Owens distracted the referee long enough to miss Styles’ pin attempt on Zayn.

·        McMahon ordered the ref to eject KO from the match. The ref agreed, but Daniel Bryan grabbed the mic and suggested that Shane remove himself from the match as well. This set off a chain of events as Owens distracted Styles long enough for Zayn to hit his finisher for the win.

·        A very pissed off Styles cut a promo about KO and Zayn taking the easy way out in order to get ahead. He also admonished the SD Live Commissioner and General Manager for bickering like children. The Phenomenal One had the perfect solution as he sarcastically challenged Owens and Zayn to a 2-on-1 Handicap Match.

·        Bryan signed off on the idea, but he took things one step further by putting Styles’ WWE Championship on the line at the Royal Rumble PPV.

·        Styles looked on in shock while Shane gave Bryan the side-eye as he led the crowd in a tepid “Yes!” chant as the show went off the air.

·        This was a shocking way to end the show. Daniel Bryan took Styles’ sarcasm as gospel by booking him in a match with the odds stacked in the heels’ favor. This was the first time that Bryan showed true heel tendencies which tilts the balance of power heading into WrestleMania season.

·        WWE is trying to convince the viewers at home that Bryan, Owens, and Zayn are in cahoots when it comes to putting the screws to Shane McMahon. As I mentioned last month, the creative team tends to plant red herrings in order to swerve the audience with the big surprise.

·        Despite Shane-O-Mac being a so-called champion of justice, he’s inherently evil by default. He will eventually show his true colors because Bryan is too likable to get booed unless he tosses a kitten from a ten story building. The twists and turns in this storyline have been fun to watch so far. Here’s hoping the Powers That Be doesn’t book themselves into a corner by getting too cute for their own good. Fingers crossed!

·        Overall, I thought the first SmackDown Live of 2018 was middling at best. The in-ring was so-so until the main event segment. It felt like WWE was suffering from a New Year’s Day hangover which carried over into tonight’s show.

·        The Tag Team Title match was marred by questionable booking while the mid-card scene continues to tread water until a new United States Champion is crowned.

·        The absence of Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and Bobby Roode hurt the broadcast as well. SD Live is rich with main event talent, but they’ve been used sparingly as of late which drags down the overall quality of the show.

·        With such top-level talent jockeying for the main event spot, the mid-card is light on legit threats outside of Jinder Mahal and Baron Corbin. There are no viable faces to balance things out which exposes how shallow the roster is. The problem won’t be solved until after WrestleMania, but WWE can give some stars a much-needed push in the interim. *cough* Rusev *cough*

·        The power struggle between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon is keeping SD Live afloat, but the endgame will suck if Bryan isn’t cleared to wrestle if he’s the one turning heel. I don’t’ want to see him choose a proxy to fight on his behalf at WrestleMania. Unless WWE is ready to pull the trigger on Bryan’s comeback, the cock teasing needs to stop. It’s fun for now, but the E shouldn’t get people’s hopes up if they aren’t going to give them or Bryan what they want.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!