WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 9/26: Owens-Sami, Jinder and the Singhs, Rusev/English-Orton, Charlotte-Carmella, Ziggler’s Glorious Conclusion

SMACKDOWN HITS

Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn: The show got off to a great start with Owens’ promo. I greatly enjoyed what he had to say, and he came across as a dangerous competitor who is not afraid of stepping in the ring with Shane. While I noted a few weeks ago that I didn’t want to see Owens & Zayn again, I thought Sami interrupting made sense, as it added to the personal storyline. Their match later was great as usual, and continued to build to Hell in a Cell. Another solid chapter in the McMahon/Owens book.

Rusev/English/Orton: The show did a great job following up on Rusev’s huge victory last week. I liked the consistencies, from his country celebrating with him to the addition of Aiden English at the ceremony. While I’m on it, props to English, who continues to be very entertaining in his role, and was a solid part of the segment. His song about Rusev Day was absolutely fantastic. Orton’s surprise RKO at the end was also fun, and I am way more into this feud now than I was at the beginning.

Charlotte vs. Carmella: This was a nice little match between the two, with Carmella getting some solid offense throughout. It’s understandable that she would lose, but with her being Ms. Money in the Bank, she should be looking stronger, which I think is happening, based on her performance and recent promos.

A Glorious Conclusion: Finally. Finally, Dolph Ziggler was interrupted by another superstar after all of these “impressions.” In fact, it almost appeared that Dolph knew it was about to end, and seemed passionate about it. I said last week that the person who finally interrupted would become a big face, and this was a great way to confirm that this is definitely the direction that the company is taking Bobby in. From a storyline perspective, this also makes a lot of sense, since Bobby has one of those flashy entrances. The match up at Hell in a Cell is promising, and I’m looking forward to it.

SMACKDOWN MISSES

Jinder Mahal: Just like the previous Ziggler segments, it appears that the WWE just doesn’t know when to stop. The lack of response for the WWE Champion’s segments should be sending a message to the company, but apparently it hasn’t. Going to the well too many times doesn’t work, and it waters down the program. Nakamura should be treated like a huge star, and with this being for the WWE Championship, it should be a bigger deal than it is. In fact, to me, this is not a championship story, and doesn’t feel like a main event program. There is just one more episode left until Hell in a Cell, so I’m hoping that something can turn around, and that they can treat this feud more seriously.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 9/19: Shane McMahon’s response to Owens head-butting his dad, Rusev, Jinder, Ziggler

For another view from the original Hitlist author, compare Jason Powell’s views to mine by visiting ProWrestling.net’s “Hitlist” section HERE.

Jeff has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was knee high to a grasshopper (little kid), after coming across the Wrestling Challenge episode after WrestleMania 7, and has not looked back. His passion has led him to winning wrestling trivia contests in his city, and even won him his Senior Talent Show by dancing to Shawn Michaels theme song. When not annoying others with wrestling talk, he loves spending time with his family and friends, and focuses on his other passion: movies. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @the_Indel or send me an email at indelpw@gmail.com.