Smackdown Live Review 12/26/2017

Hello Misfits. It’s time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. It’s the final episode of Smackdown Live of 2017. The road to Wrestlemania officially kicks off in the new year with the first stop being the Royal Rumble. However, I think more seeds will be planted during this episode of Smackdown Live on what we should expect heading into 2018. Smackdown Live started off with a bang in the beginning of 2017 with AJ Styles as WWE Champion and it seems to be ending the same way. There is still tension brewing between the two authority figures of the blue brand. Also what will the fall out be to Ziggler walking out last week and leaving the United States Championship in the ring? Lets find out.

Smackdown comes to us live from All State Arena in Chicago, IL.

–  Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are on commentary.

Daniel Bryan
Bryan notes that last week was a roller coaster of action. One of the most unexpected moments came from Dolph Ziggler. Footage of Ziggler leaving the United States title in the ring is shown. Bryan says he has been trying to contact Ziggler all week. Ziggler is not responding to any phone calls or text messages. Bryan says Ziggler has apparently relinquished the U.S. title. Bryan refers to Ziggler as one of the best to ever do it. Bryan announces a tournament to crown a new champion. The first match will be Bobby Roode vs Baron Corbin. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable interrupt and ask what Bryan is going to do about the tag team title situation. The crowd chants “Rusev Day”. Bryan says they just got a shot at the title. Benjamin says yeah but it wasn’t a normal tag match because Bryan added other teams to the match. Gable asks if that was fair. Rusev and Aiden English come out on the stage and the crowd goes insane for them.
English sings why he thinks they should get a shot at the tag titles. They beat the champs two weeks ago, and they didn’t get pinned in the fatal four-way either. Also, we all know what day comes after Christmas. Gable says it’s Boxing Day. Rusev calls Gable and idiot and yells that it’s Rusev Day. The New Day joins the fray and tosses pancakes in the crowd. Woods says these other teams are wasting Bryan’s time. Big E. refers to Benjamin as “old Jason Jordan”. Big E. states the New Day’s case for being the number one contenders. The New Day gets Bryan to gyrate with them as they say WWE Tag Team Champions. Rusev tells them to stop because no one wants to see their swiveling hips. Rusev asks Bryan if he can make a choice or does he have to ask his mommy Shane McMahon. Bryans says he can handle this. The number one contenders will be determined by a triple threat match right now.
Opinion
This segment was good because it was different. This wasn’t an opening segment where the Authority figure or figures came out to discuss their angles or issues but to address issues that matter. It did just end up leading to a match but one that was necessary to move forward with the tag division. I think I just enjoyed the fact that the segment put the spotlight on Smackdown as a brand rather than just over a specific angle for a change. It’s still the same old concept for an opening segment I guess but I enjoyed it. Rusev Day is over as hell.

Winners Become #1 Contender for Tag Team Championship
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin def. The New Day & Rusev Day
The Usos came out for commentary for this match. In a really good and competitive tag team match where Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable picked up the victory over both teams after Big E went for the Big Ending on Benjamin but Shelton reversed it which lead to Gable and Benjamin hitting their doomsday device looking move on Big E for the victory.
Opinion
This match was fantastic. I absolutely enjoyed every second of it. Every team and participant had a moment to shine. There also wasn’t any way for me to predict who was going to win this because all the teams involved would be qualified number one contenders in my mind. I want to point out that this Rusev Day partnership between Rusev and Aiden English, has really brought the best out of Aiden English. It’s really given people, including myself, the opportunity to see how good he is which we might not have been able to see if it wasn’t for this odd charismatic pairing. I was rooting for them but I’m not against Benjamin and Gable getting another chance at the straps. This match had great pacing and great spots so definitely check it out if you haven’t.

– Backstage, Shane McMahon tells Bryan said something last week that upset him. Shane took offense to Bryan saying he was turning into his father. Shane states that his father created everything that they have right now. Shane says Bryan is throwing his weight around when it comes to the U.S. title decision. He questions the decision for a tournament rather than Roode and Corbin fighting for the belt? Bryan responds that he wants to give several superstars a chance. Shane-O than asks what Kevin Owens has done to be placed in a match with the WWE champion? People are saying Bryan is showing favoritism towards Sami Zayn and Owens. Bryan says one of the most heated rivalries of 2017 was Owens and Styles so why not close the year with that as well? Shane says ok.

– Earlier today, the Ascension told Breezango that they got them the best gift ever for Christmas. Tyler Breeze asks if they are going to leave them alone. Fandango says sexy astronaut costumes? Viktor says no, they got them the gift of redemption! Tonight they have a rematch against The Bludgeon Brothers.

The Bludgeon Brothers def. Breezango
The Bludgeon Brothers defeated Breezango by DQ after The Ascension come to save Breezango from a beatdown after the Bludgeon Brothers decided not to take the quick victory but continue beating up Fandango and Breeze.
Opinion
It was looking to be like your regular squash match but they got a little creative with this time around. This might be leading to the Ascension vs The Bludgeon Brothers which really could be a redemption rivalry for Konnor and Viktor. I’m not necessarily saying they need to beat them but to be the first team to actually pose a threat to them could help them look strong for the first time in a long time.

– The Ascension challenge the Bludgeon Brothers to a match next week for Breezango.

Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad def. Naomi
Prior to the match during the Riott Squad entrance they showed a interview from earlier where Ruby declared her spot in the womens Royal Rumble. Anyway, in a decent television tag match, Ruby Riott defeated Naomi when Logan and Morgan get on the apron to distract Naomi allowing Riott to capitalize with a Riott kick for the win.
After the match, The Riott Squad beats down Naomi. Charlotte tries to make the save. The numbers game is too much. Riott hits the Riott kick on Charlotte. Natalya, Carmella, Tamina, and Lana hit the ring. The Riott Squad tries to leave but they end up getting the crap kicked out of them.
Opinion
This was a much needed win for Ruby Riott. However just as it seemed like the Riott Squad was looking strong again they got ran off by the rest of the Smackdown Women’s roster which I found unnecessary. The Riott Squad doesn’t feel like a threat at all anymore but then again I’m not sure what they are trying to do with the Smackdown Women’s Division at all right now.

– Backstage, Renee asks AJ Styles how he is going to deal with Sami Zayn being at ringside for his match against Owens. Styles says he will do the same thing he did against the Singh Brothers. It doesn’t matter what happens. Styles started 2017 as WWE Champion and he is going to end it as WWE Champion.

United States Championship Tournament
Bobby Roode def. Baron Corbin
In this first round US Title Tournament match Bobby Roode defeated Baron Corbin after countering a choke slam attempt into a roll-up for the three count.
Opinion
This was mechanically a good match but I just couldn’t get into it with full excitement say similar to the opening tag match. I think it’s mainly because I still can’t get behind Baron Corbin. I dont believe in his aggression and the fact thats he’d been booked so hot and cold this past year, it wasn’t shocking to see him lose here. It’s great knowing that he won’t be the US Champion again anytime soon due to this loss. It’s also Glorious to think that Roode might become the next US Champion.

United States Championship Tournament
Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers def. Tye Dillinger
In the second first round US Title Tournament match Jinder Mahal defeated Tye Dillinger after hitting him with the Kallas.
Opinion
I was curious to see what was next for Mahal after losing his rematch against AJ Styles at Clash of Champions and a US Championship run would be just the thing for him to keep his heat and stay relevant while the company still tries to capitalize on their global market. I think it was predictable who was going to go over here but it was a step that had to be taken. I think Roode vs Mahal in the finals would be cool but we dont know who else is involved in this tournament for me to really have any other match ideas for the finals. I think that the fact Mahal’s character is always saying he is disrespected by the American fanbase would tell a great story if he won the United States Championship. I can definitely see it happening.

-Backstage, Owens and Zayn are walking around with a bottle of champagne. Dasha asks what he is doing. Owens says he is going to pop this bottle when he beats Styles tonight. It’s the same bottle that Bryan refused last week. Last time he fought Styles Shane was the referee. This time will be different. Owens has his guardian angel at his side. Owens is better than phenomenal. He is Kevin Owens.

– Backstage, Randy Orton says he has been dealing with everyone else’s issues except his own. Orton is looking to move forward. The only thing he is concerned with is winning the Royal Rumble. Shinsuke Nakamura walks in and says that’s a good idea. Let’s rumble.

Kevin Owens w/ Sami Zayn def. AJ Styles
In an entertaining main event Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles when Shane comes out to throw Zayn out from ringside which causes the referee to get distracted as Styles rolled up Owens for the win causing Styles to lose focus allowing Owens to school boy pin him for the victory.
Following the match Owens and Zayn celebrate while Shane-O tries apologizing to Styles who just gives him an angry glare.
Opinion
This was possibly Owens and Styles best match against each other and they wrestled a lot this year. The screwy finish was expected because Shane has unfinished business with Owens and Zayn and it will lead to even more tension between Shane-O and Bryan. I just wonder what the payoff to all of this will be in the end. Will Bryan wrestle Shane? What do Owens and Ziggler do? I’m very confused but looking forward to see how it all plays out. When episodes end like this, it reminds me of why I miss Talking Smack.

Final Thoughts
I thought this was a good episode of Smackdown Live. There was a lot of action and not a ton of talking. Every segment and match had a purpose and there was no filler. The triple threat tag match and the main event were both great.  I didn’t find myself being bored at any point of this show or questioning why something was happening. This was a solid way to cap off 2017 for the blue brand and I hope things will only get better from this point moving forward heading towards Royal Rumble and ultimately Wrestlemania. The triple threat tag team match is the one thing I would definitely check out though if you missed this show and I was only allowed to recommend one thing.
Rating – 7/10