WrestleTalk Roundtable – WWE SmackDown Live – January 8, 2019

How would you rate the show overall? (From best to worst: SmackDamn, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, SmackDowner and A Smack in the Face)

Brian Farrell

High Smack Bang in the Middle. I loved Daniel Bryan’s opening, loved the Almas, Ali, Joe and Rey tag match, and thought Carmella vs Lynch vs Charlotte was very good. The Bar vs the Usos was also good, but that’s been seen many times before.

There were many good moments on the show, but a lot of dullness in between keeps it from breaking past just an above average show.

"@AJStylesOrg will see what I'm capable of at #RoyalRumble… and he will never, never, never, never take the #WWEChampionship away from me… and The NEW @WWEDanielBryan will be champion FOREVER!" pic.twitter.com/hD807o3B0n

— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2019

Kyle Payne

This show was definitely a SmackDamn! It was over before I knew it and from start to finish, it was a fun ride. Everyone looked good, looked strong, and seeds for next week and the Rumble were planted and/or grew.

The emphasis was on the ladies, as it should be because they are the hottest topic on SmackDown at the moment. The tag team action was great, the promos were great, everything about this show was pretty commendable. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Steven Lugo

Smack Bang in the Middle. I liked this instalment of SmackDown Live more than most in recent memory. The McMahon authority figure shtick was kept to a minimum (just Shane doing comedy things with The Miz backstage), the match quality was very good, and Bryan’s opening segment at the concession stand was hilarious.

I could have used a ‘Mella promo that didn’t seem like it was some passive-aggressive rant on Becky, direct from Vinny Mac. And seriously, is Vince Russo back, and booking Mandy Rose?

PERIOD! https://t.co/H4JzD5Bw0b

— Trinity (@TheTrinity_Fatu) January 9, 2019

Emma Heeley

As a whole, SmackDown once again put out a consistently great show. Unlike Monday’s Raw, I was pretty much captivated for the full two hours. The matches this week were solid, promos didn’t feel overlong or stale, and there was only a brief Shane McMahon appearance!

With that in mind, for me, this week’s SmackDown is SmackDamn.

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