The latest WWE “SmackDown” event in Orlando, Florida, set the stage for the upcoming Crown Jewel in Perth but left much to be desired for fans. Among the highlights, Tiffany Stratton successfully defended her WWE Women’s Championship in a triple-threat match against Jade Cargill and Nia Jax. Despite a strong start, the match suffered from a botched move by Cargill that marred the finish. The situation was further complicated by missed counts, leading to confusion in the ring.
Stratton’s reign seems to be heading towards a challenging match against the new Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer at Crown Jewel. Despite the odds, fans can still anticipate a thrilling match due to the talent involved.
The “SmackDown” episode also replayed old narratives, as Cody Rhodes confronted Paul Heyman, hinting at a potential feud with Brock Lesnar, despite having previously defeated him. Overtones of a possible match at Crown Jewel, with Seth Rollins potentially in the mix, were suggested, although criticisms were raised about WWE’s focus on promotional tactics over storytelling quality.
A surprise encounter occurred when a returning Jacob Fatu faced-off with Drew McIntyre, who was on a tirade about perceived unfair treatment by officials. Fatu’s return injected a fresh element into the storyline, exciting fans about where this new rivalry might lead.
Amid the stumbles, the episode had its positives. Sami Zayn’s U.S. title open challenge continued to impress, with NXT’s Je’Von Evans delivering a standout performance. Evans’ incredible agility and showmanship entertained, despite his loss, suggesting he is a future main roster star to watch.
However, the show wasn’t without its down points. Commentator Booker T’s performance drew criticism, and ongoing feuds failed to impress, calling into question the overall effectiveness of the current storytelling.
In summary, while the episode had some bright moments, it struggled to maintain excitement throughout. WWE will need to elevate its narratives and focus more on coherent storytelling to regain the enthusiasm and expectations of its fans as it heads toward its next major event.