WWE SmackDown – October 11, 2019 (Review)

Marking yet another soft reboot for WWE – the third this year – SmackDown was the stage for the annual WWE Draft. This year, the shake-up will play out over two nights, with half the roster hearing their fates last night and the other half on next Monday’s Raw. It is, indeed, going to be a busy week.

The Draft is historically one of the most exciting nights in the WWE calendar. It’s when big moves occur, brands get refreshed and new stars are formed. And although some of the mystique of the Draft has been taken away by months of the Wildcard Rule, which has left both brands without a true identity, there remains a certain unmistakable buzz around proceedings.

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But truthfully, I was more worried about the reported structure of the annual event. Supposedly making all of the pertinent decisions were two amorphous teams of network executives – people we don’t know and couldn’t possibly care about.

Even worse, announcing the picks was the de facto face of the Draft, Stephanie McMahon. So if you were expecting a dynamic, charisma-driven draft process, you were unlikely to find it here.

So immediately I was worried about the presentation of the event. But perhaps WWE would prove me wrong. Just like when I thought Hell in a Cell would be a good pay-per-view. (No, I’m not over it.)

You can keep up with the plethora of roster moves on our handy Draft Tracker (Cheers, Nate!). So if you’re interested in finding out where Heath Slater ends up, you should definitely check it out!

For everything else that happened on SmackDown, let’s get to the review.

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The Best of SmackDown

A Fresh Start for Ailing Stars

Both Sasha Banks and Braun Strowman were drafted to SmackDown, which should come as welcome news to the wrestlers concerned.

Immensely talented, yet perennially overlooked, Banks and Strowman have really suffered from the stranglehold that Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar have held over Raw’s top belts. In consequence, both have been systematically worn down on the red brand – routinely working their way to the main event, only to be beaten at the final hurdle.

That sort of pattern can really damage a wrestler over time. Hopefully each of Sasha and Braun enjoy fresh starts on Friday nights.

Brock Conquers His Fears

Paul Heyman, accompanied by Brock Lesnar, came out to address the ‘Beast Incarnate’s opponent at WWE Crown Jewel. Of course, Cain Velasquez made his surprise debut last week, bringing the man who destroyed Lesnar in the UFC to WWE.

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Heyman addressed precisely that, conceding that Cain is the only man on the entire planet whom Brock fears. He called Velasquez “the nightmare of Lesnar’s past“. But Brock doesn’t fear fear. He embraces it, he conquers it. And that’s exactly what Lesnar will do when he faces Velasquez in Saudi Arabia in three weeks.

Heyman was excellent here and really put over the idea that Cain Velasquez posed an unprecedented threat to his client.

Then Rey Mysterio and Cain came out to stand at the top of the ramp. In reference to the scar he gave Lesnar in their UFC bout, Cain told Brock that he’d give him a matching one on the other side of his face. It’s a good line, but there was just no pay-off after it was delivered. Brock simply stood there looking annoyed, and Velasquez and Mysterio slowly walked to the back.

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The Worst of SmackDown

The Fight for Number One

There is certainly something exciting about finding out which brand secured the overall number one pick in the Draft. There is, likewise, anticipation around a match between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. And yet, all of that was somehow undermined not only by poor presentation but also by certain logic questions.

Questions like “why are Roman or Seth bothered by who picks first?” Neither would stand to benefit from their brand having the first choice. They may not even be on that brand by the end of Monday night.

The STRENGTH. The POWER. The BIG FIGHT! #SmackDown #WWEDraft @WWERomanReigns @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/J23DO7rHcx

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 12, 2019

Also, Michael Cole and Corey Graves’ complete reliance on clichés and ‘WWE speak’ was frustrating. How many times do I need to hear Cole scream “Big Dog”? Or the announcers tell me that this could be the last time these two former Shield members will ever be in the ring together? I’ve heard “this is the final time…” far too often in WWE.

Regardless, Rollins and Reigns had a good match. Roman countered an attempted Stomp into a Superman Punch. Seth reversed a Spear into a Pedigree. And then then the lights turned off and The Fiend burst through the mat to “drag Rollins to hell“.

Back to Hell we go! 😃😃😃😃😃😃#SmackDown #TheFiend @WWEBrayWyatt @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/uhcdci91SR

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

A bit of smoke spouted from the hole in the canvass, like it was a tent occupied by two hippies at Woodstock. Then a distressed Rollins jumped back out and the Fiend peaked at him from the opening. And then, after the lights went out, Wyatt reappeared on the ramp. Because apparently he can’t be bothered to hang around under the ring for the rest of the night (I don’t blame him.)

So, technically Raw wins… by DQ. When will you learn, WWE?

The Corporate “War Rooms”

Supposedly battling it out to secure the signatures of WWE wrestlers were respective battalions of FOX and USA Network executives. I’m talking boardrooms bursting with like 20 people each. FOX even had their silly AR robot fella.

All 👀 are on the #WWEDraft war room! Who will be drafted to #RAW and #SmackDown? pic.twitter.com/fhWQ9Ahwr3

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 12, 2019

They would pretend to scribble notes, make frantic phone calls and cheer after each selection. It was goofy as all hell.

The Voice of the Draft

Each selection was announced by Stephanie McMahon. Such was the indifference to her arrival that she practically had to beg to be booed.

She’s somehow still the most tedious member of her family. And that’s saying something.

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Also, the entire process made no sense. Stephanie announced draft picks in alternating blocks of five – three for Raw and two for SmackDown. But surely each brand would only be able to make their selections after knowing who their counterpart had picked? By having Stephanie read out five names at a time, the entire draft was exposed as pre-determined and hokey.

Where’s the Pageantry?

For a night billed as a “once in a year” event, there was a distinct lack of excitement surrounding proceedings.

The first five picks – Becky Lynch, The O.C. and Drew McIntyre to Raw; Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt to SmackDown – were just rattled off by Stephanie McMahon without much ceremony. Each pick was accompanied by nothing more than a still photo and a basic factsheet.

Where’s the highlight reel? The backstage feed capturing the reaction of each wrestler as they get drafted? A big display of them putting on their new brand’s colours?

It's only fitting that #RAW #WomensChampion @BeckyLynchWWE was Monday Night #RAW's very FIRST pick in tonight's #WWEDraft, presented by @Xfinity! pic.twitter.com/Kzen6vvdr5

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

Instead we got Booker T babbling about nothing and Troy Aikman reminiscing on his experience being drafted into the NFL first overall in 1989. Where was Becky Lynch to talk about what it was like being drafted first?

Occasionally, Michael Cole would chime in with a well-timed “Oh, what a tremendous pick by [insert brand name here]“. My response was always: “WHY? SHOW US!” Give fans a reason to think that this was a good pick… demonstrate why that wrestler was so coveted!

WWE was presented with an open goal here. And, as they so often do, they decided to boot themselves in the groin.

Gable Comes Up Short

After a pretty good encounter with Baron Corbin, Chad Gable inexplicably walked into an End of Days. And lost… clean… again.

GO Shorty GO! #ShortyGable #SmackDown @WWEGable @BaronCorbinWWE pic.twitter.com/x3Y19lTxWO

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

I know that he holds a victory over Corbin during this series, but he’s lost at least twice. The audience will only back Gable for so long. Having him continuously lose – especially to someone of Corbin’s stature – will only serve to dampen any fan support for the character.

Number One All-Time Selections

A FOX Sports panel, consisting of NFL broadcasters, were asked to name their all-time number one WWE Draft pick.

They listed names such as Dusty Rhodes, Killer Kowalski, The Iron Sheik, Bruno Samartino, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan.

Four of those men are dead. And the other three haven’t wrestled in any meaningful capacity for at least fifteen years.

Is this really the best way to market your product to modern audiences? By referencing people who haven’t been in the company for three decades?

A Title Reign Forgotten

Seven days after losing the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar in record-setting time, Kofi Kingston was back to smiling and tossing pancakes into the crowd. He didn’t even reference the match and showed zero desire to get his title back.

So the WWE Championship seemingly means less to him than the bloody 24/7 Title does to Drake Maverick.

Anyone hungry 😋😋 for some #6ManTag team action? #TheNewDay @XavierWoodsPhD @TrueKofi & @WWEBigE takes on #TheOC @AJStylesOrg @LukeGallowsWWE & @KarlAndersonWWE NEXT! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/iWFpCsBW0o

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

Either way, Kingston teamed up with Big E and Xavier Woods to take on The O.C. The match was unspectacular (but fine), and The New Day won.

End of the Women’s Tag Division?

It had been announced ahead of time that tag teams would count as a single pick. So when Raw selected Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross separately, WWE seemingly signalled either the end of that particular team, or the abandonment of the division as a whole.

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… Or they simply forgot their own draft rules.

New Bayley

Bayley appeared for her match against Charlotte. But she wasn’t your older brother’s Bayley.

Apparently the loss she sustained to to Charlotte at Hell in a Cell caused her to have the kind of personality shift we’d all hoped for after she reunited with Sasha Banks to spark her initial heel turn.

Gone was the side ponytail in favour of short, dark hair. Similarly jettisoned was the bright ring attire, to be replaced by a yellow and black colour scheme. The final nail in the coffin came when Bayley picked up a stick with a blade attached to it from the stage (what was that doing there?). She tore into each of her inflatable, car dealership men.

NOT THE BAYLEY BUDDIES!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#SmackDown @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/qsYaMSYEVQ

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

This is exactly what we’d hoped to see from Bayley, who looked amazing, but it’s perhaps come too late. It’s what should’ve happened after she turned on Becky Lynch all those weeks ago. A sentiment seemingly shared by the largely unresponsive crowd, who greeted this darker, redesigned Bayley with silent indifference.

Also egregious was commentary’s handling of the entire affair. They were in complete shock, as if Bayley hasn’t been a heel for months now! Micheal Cole was particularly abysmal during all of this. Harkening back to his consummate best, he referred to Bayley’s latest character shift as a “new persona“. For Christ’s sake, Cole. Just be better.

Admittedly though, the match between her and Charlotte was impressive. After a good back-and forth, Bayley reversed a Figure-4 into a roll-up for the win. And to reclaim her SmackDown Women’s Championship. Then, to close the show, she grabbed a mic and told the audience to go screw itself.

"Screw ALL OF YOU!" 🎤⤵️@itsBayleyWWE isn't your girl anymore, @WWEUniverse. #SmackDown #AndNew pic.twitter.com/grDRwIOOg1

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

 

I’m a big fan of Bayley’s new look and attitude. I just worry that it may have emerged too late for anyone to truly get behind. Hopefully she’ll be drafted to Raw on Monday and enjoy a fresh start. One free from the oppressive despair that’s dogged her on the blue brand.

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Overall Rating for the Show (From best to worst: SmackDamn, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, SmackDowner and A Smack in the Face)

This was a highly frustrating edition of SmackDown.

The entire broadcast was structured around the opening night of the WWE Draft, and when that faltered, the entire show collapsed around it.

What was intended to be a landmark night was quickly eroded by lacklustre production, un-engaging “expert” opinions and a general lack of pageantry. This felt more B-grade Awards Show than blockbuster sporting draft.

EXCLUSIVE: "Two years ago I was struggling to get on TV. Now, all the TV shows are fighting to have me, as it should be!" – #RAW #WomensChampion @BeckyLynchWWE

Presented by @Xfinity. #SmackDown #WWEDraft pic.twitter.com/S2mnmEsH1T

— WWE (@WWE) October 12, 2019

So, at the end of the day, there were remarkably few positives to draw from this episode of SmackDown. Paul Heyman had a good promo, which got me a little more interested in seeing Brock vs. Velasquez. And I suppose the re-shuffled roster afforded a few stars a new lease on life.

But those are mere notional plusses. Until we see the end result in a few months time, it’s impossible to say for certain that anyone benefitted from last night.

At least Bayley got a new look and reclaimed her belt. But is it too little, too late for the former ‘Hugger’? Only time will tell.

With such an abysmal – at times nonsensical – Draft, SmackDown was wholly disappointing. Perhaps not as bad as it could have been. But certainly no better than a high Smack In The Face.

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• review
• draft
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