WWE SmackDown Live – May 7, 2019 (Review)

The Worst of SmackDown Live

The Roman Empire

WWE have returned to form as far as Roman Reigns is concerned. And by that I mean that they’re pushing him to the moon.

On Monday, he was positioned as the centrepiece of the Wild Card changeover, feuding with both McMahons, Elias and Drew McIntyre simultaneously. Last night, SmackDown produced a lengthy, deeply moving video tribute showcasing the past seven years of his career, his heartbreaking leukaemia diagnosis, and his triumphant return to the ring.

As much as I like Roman (and I do) and as inspiring as his journey has been (and it is), this is treacherous ground for WWE to be treading. There’s a real danger of continuously and relentlessly shoving Reigns into the limelight without a compelling reason for him to be there. That danger is called “everything that happened between 2015 and 2018”.

For what it’s worth, I sincerely hope I’m wrong about this.

No Buddy Murphy

Day 21 since Buddy Murphy was drafted to SmackDown Live. There’s still no sign of him. Supplies are dwindling and hope is low.

This is really nitpicking as Murphy not being on the show didn’t actively damage the product. But the reservations I felt about Murphy’s call-up are growing and so I’ll keep banging this drum until the Australian shows up. And much like Shane’s appearance on Raw on Monday, meaningless promos during commercial breaks don’t count.

Aleister Very Dark

I absolutely despise the direction SmackDown is taking with Aleister Black. On NXT, he was the incredible wrestler who spoke sparingly. It was part of his mystique, his aura. So, naturally, on the main roster he needs to become the guy who never wrestles and only speaks. Endlessly.

Much like in past weeks, Black spent two long minutes last night rambling incomprehensibly about “the sins of the fathers demanding his absolution from the cold embrace of his soul’s chains” or some other utter gibberish. This was another example of the nonsensical, meandering rubbish they’ve given Black. He could be great in the ring… instead he’s just Mojo Rawley with a Dutch accent.

"I must ask for forgiveness… for my own sins, sins that I will seek absolution from in the form of VICTORY… I shall take from YOU!" – @WWEAleister #SDLive pic.twitter.com/JWV6PmjQ8f

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019

Again – What ARE the Rules?

Originally the Wild Card Rule was only designed to allow three members from either roster to jump across to the other. That then became four when Lars Sullivan grunted and flexed all over Vince’s office.

But then six members of the SmackDown Live crew appeared on Raw on Monday. And last night, five Raw stars (AJ, Zayn, The Usos and Miz) returned the favour. So, could someone please explain how this is meant to work? Because I seem to remember Vince explicitly threatening to fine or fire anyone who exceeds the prescribed quota.

• Wild Card Rule
• review
• Smackdown
• wwe

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