TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – SMACKDOWN 6/5: Building Carmella vs. Asuka, Shinsuke vs. AJ, More Pancakes

BUILDING CARMELLA VS. ASUKA…

Recap: The show opened with Carmella in the ring, demanding to be showered with praise. Her request was received with a mix of cheers and boos.

She then showed an Asuka highlight package and offered faux praise. Her tone changed, and she then explained that Asuka was no longer the undefeated force of before. She then showed a package of Asuka’s WrestleMania loss and her SmackDown lowlights since. She went on to say that now everyone was ready for Asuka, prompting the crowd to raise their hands if they were ready.

This prompted Asuka to come to the ring. Before she could say much, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville joined her. Mandy explained that she had come very close to beating Asuka last wee. Sonya stated that Mandy did exactly what she wanted by softening her up for Sonya.

Carmella interjected that the undefeated Asuka wouldn’t choose between Mandy and Sonya, but would instead face both.

Paige then appeared, reminding everyone that she sets the matches and no one speaks for her. She offered Asuka her choice of opponent, and Asuka chose to face both Mandy and Sonya in a handicap match.

Carmella was on commentary during the match. She did a bit where she acted as if Byron Saxton didn’t exist. When Byron would ask her a question, she would ignore it, only to answer when Corey Graves asker her the exact same question.

Asuka won the match by submitting Sonya with the Asuka Lock. After the match, Carmella confronted Asuka in the ring. Mandy attacked Asuka from behind, allowing Carmella to hit a thrust kick to Asuka’s face.

Evaluation: Whatever you say about her wrestling, Carmella is phenomenal on the mic. She’s the master of annoying the crowd into heel heat, and I loved her commentary gimmick of acting as if Byron Saxton didn’t exist.

Having Asuka voluntarily select a handicap match, and then win, did a good job of making her look strong again after a recent series of losses on SmackDown.

I also liked Paige reminding everyone that they can’t set their own matches. The wrestlers too often get away with that on WWE TV.

Forecast: The way Asuka is being built back up, it seems like she’s moving toward taking the SmackDown Women’s Title.

AJ VS. SHINSUKE IS SIGNED…

Recap: Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles had a contract signing for their Last Man Standing Match to take place at the pay per view. Unlike most signings, it took place in a backstage conference room rather in the ring.

AJ told Shinsuke that it felt like their feud had gone on forever. He said he knew why Shinsuke played games; it was because he knew he couldn’t beat AJ. AJ then signed the contract.

Shinsuke then feigned that his pen was out of ink, and asked to borrow AJ’s. AJ complied, but Shinsuke claimed AJ’s pen was broken. AJ then lost his cool and slapped Shinsuke before being taken away by two nondescript gentlemen who had been at the conference table.

After AJ left, Shinsuke pulled a pen from his jacket and signed.

Evaluation: This segment did a good job of continuing Shinsuke’s mid games gimmick. Having AJ lose his cool sets the stage for the theme of the pay per view match: it will come down to whether AJ can keep it together in the face of Shinsuke’s  games.

Forecast: Shinsuke’s heel character in this feud has been such a huge improvement that it feels it’s time to give him the title.

MORE PANCAKES…

Recap: In an early backstage segment, New Day apologized to Miz for their actions on MizTV last week, and offered to take their choice of MITB seriously. They had a hat with three slips of paper in it, and asked Miz to pull one out to choose which New Day member would compete. While Miz was blindfolded, they switched the hat to one full of pancake batter, causing Miz to get it all over his hand.

In a later backstage segment, Samoa Joe was interviewed by Dasha Fuentes. He asked her if she saw “a man with the conscience of a rabid dog” or a man “with a moral compass that is so backwards and messed up he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants”. He said those things were true, but most of all he wanted to be seen as someone who keeps his promises.

The main event was a 6-man tag pitting Miz, Rusev, and Joe against New Day. Late in the match, Miz attempted to throw pancakes at Big E but hit Rusev and Joe instead. This led to Rusev kicking Miz, and Joe and Rusev bailing on the match. Big E and Kofi then finished Miz with the Midnight Hour.

Evaluation: Well, they’re attempting to monetize pancakes with t-shirts.

Joe’s promo was phenomenal as always. He brought the usual authenticity.

Forecast: Miz being left alone with New Day makes me think his playing straight man for their comedy will continue at least for another week. Hopefully after the pay per view he’ll move on to Daniel Bryan.

RANDOM THOUGHTS…

Big Cass is really harping on the height issue in the promos for his match with Daniel Bryan….

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – SMACKDOWN 5/29: Samoa Joe Qualifies for Money in the Bank, Lana Looks Heelish Again, Dissension Between Charlotte and Becky