SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
BECKY ATTACKS CHARLOTTE AT THE PC…
Recap: Footage was shown of Charlotte Flair giving a talk and Q&A session at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando earlier in the week. The speech was cheesy overall, and focused on the business being built on mutual respect.
Becky Lynch then entered, incensed that Charlotte was chosen to speak to the trainees over her (the champion). Becky directly contradicted Charlotte’s advice to the trainees, telling them not to make friends with anybody if they wanted to get ahead. She told Charlotte that no amount of self-righteousness or privilege or training would prepare her for Sunday. the two then brawled. After Becky threw Charlotte into the steel steps, Charlotte yelled, “Who are you?!” Becky responded that she’s the Women’s Champion.
A talking head segment with Charlotte then aired. Charlotte said when she defeated Becky, she’d not be standing over an opponent, but a “friend who lost her way.”
Evaluation: Becky was again the hottest thing on the show. This was especially true tonight, which was a very missable episode of SmackDown overall.
Considering she is the champion, Becky was entirely justified in her anger over Charlotte being chosen over her to address the trainees.
Charlotte’s speech to the trainees was cheesy and robotic. When one of the trainees asked about differences between NXT and the main roster, Charlotte mentioned refining her “character” for the global stage. I’ve always felt that references to an on-screen character are too much of a breach of kayfabe to air on the program itself. For the two hours that SmackDown is on the air, everyone should act as if nothing is predetermined.
Forecast: When in doubt as to a forecast I go optimistic, so I hope to see Becky retain the title on Sunday.
AJ AND BRYAN BICKER…
Recap: AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan took on the Usos in a tag team match. The match was short. AJ almost accidentally hit Bryan with a Phenomenal Forearm and later did accidentally hit Bryan with a Pele Kick. The Usos won the match.
Later backstage, Dasha asked AJ if his blow to Bryan was truly an accident. AJ said it was. Bryan awkwardly told AJ that his “nose was growing.” It took AJ too long to realize Bryan was implying he was a liar. Bryan made some awkward hand movements which caused AJ to ask what he was doing. Bryan then did the “too sweet” gesture in a mocking way in AJ’s face. AJ stormed off.
Evaluation: This segment was no good. Both guys seemed childish. It made me less interested in the match.
Forecast: I hope this feud continues beyond Crown Jewel, because the build to now has been basically non-existent. I can’t see Bryan winning next Friday with so little heat on this match.
SHANE SENT OUT AS A CANARY…
Recap: Before the Randy Orton vs Jeff Hardy World Cup Qualifier match, Shane McMahon came to the ring to pointlessly put over the tournament and Crown Jewel. The fans mostly didn’t react at all; there were some very quiet boos.
Evaluation: Shane coming out to address the crowd was bizarre, as he didn’t really say much of anything. The only conclusion I can draw as to why he was out there was as a test to gauge the crowd’s reaction to discussing the Crown Jewel pay per view. It would make sense to use a McMahon in that role rather than Paige.
Forecast: WWE still is not mentioning the show’s location, so they are obviously keeping options open in terms of moving it at the last minute. This promo from Shane was likely inserted to gather a data point for that decision as to fan reaction.
It’s been reported that John Oliver did a segment this week regarding the WWE-Saudi Arabia situation, bringing mainstream attention. While I would not imagine a massive crossover between WWE’s mostly working class audience and John Oliver’s wealthy upper class audience, audience demographics are far from absolute and some crossover surely does exist. At a minimum, it has been reported (but not confirmed) that it caused John Cena to pull out of the show if it takes place in Saudi Arabia.
I haven’t seen the segment, but I don’t doubt it’s persuasive to its audience. Oliver typically makes heavy use of a persuasion technique called “pseudologic,” where one gives a long detailed explanation using false or misleading underlying assumptions to persuade the listener to his point of view. When one uses pseudologic, despite the underlying rationale being false, the listener is still persuaded because the extreme depth of the explanation makes it sound credible and well-researched. It’s one of many ways one can persuade by exploiting cognitive bias in humans. In the case of the WWE-Saudi situation, he wouldn’t need to use nearly as many falsities or misleading statements to make his case to many viewers. He might even be able to do it with entirely truthful statements. This issue is a lobbed softball that I imagine he hit out of the park without much effort.
WWE is in a tough spot. I put the odds of the show taking place in Riyadh at 50/50. From purely a business perspective, either option has large downside.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – SMACKDOWN 10/16: SmackDown 1000, Evolution Returns, Mysterio Returns, Random Thoughts
Completely disagree with you on John Oliver. He does not use false information, hence he does not get sued all the time.
He hardly mentioned wwe, I minute of a 15 minute story.
The John Oliver part of this article is weird. I can find no other person accusing Oliver of using pesudologic, or any articles about him consistently lying. I understand we may not have the same political views, but I appreciate the work you guys do at the Torch and would think you guys are above saying something is fake news or lying just because you don’t agree with it.
Honestly, does any blue collar working class American really care about Jamal Khashoggi, or a high profile PPV? Let’s think it over a second. Not trying to soundi mean in way, shape, or form ( I’m working class myself ), maybe 5% care about that ONLY because it’s been highly profiled on news outlets. It’s a foreign journalist on foreign soil. Our soldiers get killed all the time and never make the news. As long as the superstars are safe, I don’t see a single problem with it. If wrestlers don’t care to participate in the overseas show, or viewers don’t want to watch it, they won’t. I seriously doubt if it will hurt the WWE whatsoever.