SmackDown In A Nutshell: Most Bizarre Show Ever?

It’s time for SmackDown In A Nutshell once again! This time, through some unfortunate and crazy circumstances, we may be watching the most bizarre show ever, at least in WWE history. Why do I say most bizarre show ever? That’s actually an easy one. Simply, WWE is running SmackDown live at the Performance Center, with absolutely no audience. Now, of course, this is all due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. The alternative for WWE was likely a cancellation, and on the Road to WrestleMania, that just wasn’t an option. So, we end up with a live show, minus the live audience. So, let’s get through this most bizarre show ever by cracking open another Nutshell!

Best Match of the night:

We did not get many. We also got a replay of a match from the Elimination Chamber PPV, so that one was good, but not new.

So what gets the nod here? How about all of them. Look, I have a tiny amount of experience in the ring myself, and one thing is clear-you need the crowd. The crowd is part of the match. You know how you are doing based on reactions, and this one had none.

It had to be quite challenging for the Superstars, in ways most of us can’t even imagine. I applaud them all.

Worst match of the night:

I am not throwing shade at anyone tonight. Crazy circumstances.

Crowd Chants of the Night:

What crowd?!

Star of the Night

I think every Superstar deserves a nod here. Not easy to do what they all did-televised match, zero crowd noise. Not to mention, some may be thinking of family.

Out of all those nods though, I have to give Hunter a ton of credit. He was the emcee…the color guy…a camera man…there simply wasn’t much that needed doing, that he couldn’t do.

I also like seeing Drew Gulak get some more attention. I don’t know if this is a Daniel Bryan-driven thing again or what, but I really love seeing some of these “fringe” guys get the chance they deserve.

Spot of the Night:

Nothing really worth mentioning.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Basically just…holy s@#$, they did that without an audience

Botch of the night:

The one that stuck out to me, was the Daniel Bryan suicide dive at the end of his match. He was going to miss, or so it appeared. The move was salvaged, but it did not look as crisp as you’d like.

Commentary of the night:

No lines. Just..was fun seeing and hearing Triple H get involved in that side of things.

LOL Moment of the night:

Also, maybe it’s me, but it sure seemed like there were some digs at Vince from HHH and Cole. Several times talked about the script and late changes to it, which was an issue in the recent past, for real.

Also, we’ve heard the Gronk rumors. Mojo Rawley was excited to declare that his best bud will be on SmackDown next week to discuss things more…so buckle up.

Noteworthy Moment:

Overall lowlights:

Only saying, it was a bizarre show. However, all involved did a great job, so I can’t rip them.

Overall highlights:

Getting Jeff Hardy back.

Just keeping the show going was great.

After the final bell:

It was a bizarre show, but I think WWE made the best of it and it worked. It is disappointing and frustrating that this show could not be live, but I think everyone gets that. They made the best of a tough situation. Hunter in particular seemed to embrace it and made it fun.