WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 2/6: Bludgeon Brothers, Usos, Roode vs. Rusev, Sami vs. KO, Smackdown’s Top Ten, New Day answer Twitter

SMACKDOWN HITS

The Bludgeon Brothers: I have been very pleased with how the show has been booking this team. The quick matches against the local wrestlers each week is a way to showcase Rowan & Harper without overexposing them or wasting future matchups against established teams. I’m also enjoying the slow build to their pending feud against The Uso’s. If history repeats itself, the fans are going to be in for a treat with that matchup. Speaking of the champs….

The Usos: It’s amazing what removing cheesy graphics can do to a promo. Last week, the visual of a jail cell continuously closing did nothing for the team, or the point that they were trying to make. This week, they provided a unique level of passion, while educating the fans on their history. When Jimmy & Jey speak, you believe in what they’re saying, which is nice to see (and hear).

Bobby Roode vs. Rusev: This was a good match for the United States Championship between the Glorious One and the man who celebrates Rusev Day. They had a nice back and forth, with an appropriate amount of time to tell a story. Randy Orton’s surprise attack after the match was a nice surprise as well. It’ll be interesting to see where all the players go from here, but I can only assume that a triple threat or fatal four way is in store for Fastlane.

Main Event: This was another good match between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. I was initially concerned that the two wrestlers would play this off as more of a joke, but having them actually take this seriously places the proper value on the meaning of the WWE Championship, and how important it should be to win it. With that being said, I was not thrilled with how the ending of the match was presented. More below.

SMACKDOWN MISSES

Opening Segment: Last week, I gave the opening segment a hit for being fresh and putting the spotlight on the number one contender. This week, it was back to normal with another countless segment featuring Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. While I am a fan of slow builds and longer storylines, it really feels like the WWE are spinning their wheels with this story, and truly don’t know where they are going long-term. These segments are beyond repetitive, and hopefully they will get somewhere soon; however, I’m fearful that the closest we’ll have anything would be Fastlane or (worse) WrestleMania.

New Day: Another silly segment featuring the former tag team champions. The Twitter segments were unfunny and had nothing productive to add, other than to make jokes about Corey Graves.

Smackdown Top Ten: I debated on whether or not to include this, as I appreciate the originality, but for me, it didn’t get off to a great start. Firstly, the constant Tye Dillinger at number ten references have got to go. It was funny last year at the Royal Rumble, but it’s getting repetitive. If they want this list to actually seem realistic, then things like that won’t work. Secondly, there were some things that made sense, and some that didn’t, with the real positive being that the two top champions were in the top two. I also would like some further explanations going forward in what this list will be for. If the fans don’t understand it, how can they be invested?

End of the Main Event: This gets a Miss for two specific reasons. Firstly, yes, Sami Zayn provoked A.J. Styles, and yes, A.J. has become increasingly frustrated. However, why in anyone’s right mind, would Styles attack Zayn and cause the Disqualification, knowing that it would lead to no winner, and a possible triple threat? We’ve seen this synopsis countless times in WWE history, which is what led me to my second reason for the miss. Everyone kept questioning why Daniel Bryan would make the triple threat, when, as I just mentioned, this happens almost every time that a number one contendership match ends in a no contest. It’s frustrating to me as it’s logical that this would happen, yet no one can understand it.

Jeff Indelicato 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. He 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. Follow him on Twitter @the_Indel or send him an email at indelpw@gmail.com.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 1/30: New Graphics, Selfie Promos, Nakamura celebrates, Carmella almost cashes in on Charlotte, more