blue brand goes retro
Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

It’s a flashback kind of Friday Night SmackDown, so it shall be as well for this SmackDown in a Nutshell. As in, the Blue Brand goes retro.

On one hand, I’d say it is anything for ratings.

However, as someone who grew up on the kitschy WWF, I can appreciate the blue brand going retro.

Aside from the old school logos and promos we can expect, there should be some business to tend to.

After all, WrestleMania Payback (terrible name) is nearly a week away. We still don’t yet know for sure who will battle Roman Reigns for his championship, for example.

Of course, with it being a whole retro issue…could WWE be dusting off a blast from the past for his challenger? Let’s hope not.

So, let’s get to the matter at hand. It’s…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Blue Brand Goes Retro

blue brand goes retro

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

Let’s crack this open and get down to business.

Best Match of the night:

Kind of by default, but the opening bout gets my nod.

Cesaro and Seth Rollins was good. It could have been better, but WWE involved a good bit of outside interference.

That interference, of course, was a needed part of a larger storyline. Still, the match could have been awesome without it.

Also, glad to see a new face getting a big shot. I’d love to see him get the win and the title…but that’s likely too much to hope for.

Worst match of the night:

That ten man tag was pure train wreck, as one would expect.

Though, to be honest…outside of that opening match…nothing really impressed me.

Star of the Night

For me, it has to be Cesaro.

Finally, after so much, he gets a shot at the Universal Champion.

smackdown in a nutshell

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

He gets a possible (probable?) main event slot on a PPV.

Considering that at times in the not too distant past, it was suspected he might be out of WWE? Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come.

Spot of the Night:

Aside from the kind of maybe botched Neutralizer, I was a big fan of Cesaro’s overall offense to close the show.

I mean, I expect him to end up on the receiving end of things next week…but he looked strong tonight.

I like how this SmackDown In A Nutshell turned out for Cesaro.

Jobber of the Night:

Feels like Ruby Riott gets this one. Maybe WWE aims to build Carmella up as the next possible heel behind Bayley?

smackdown in a nutshell

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

I mean…that would be one reason you have Ruby lose a really quick match, right?

Upset of the Night:

Dom Mysterio getting a quick win over Dolph gets the call for me. Not so much that it was an upset, but how it happened fits the narrative.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

I feel like we’ve spent most of 2021 awaiting the actual return of Jimmy Uso. OK, at least, I kind of have.

And, just like that, he has returned.

blue brand goes retro

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

I have mixed feelings about it, but I do believe there is plenty more to come from his return.

The upside? We likely get The Usos back, and tag team depth is a good thing.

There was plenty of teased tension, with Jimmy still mad at Roman for choking him out at Hell In A Cell.

smackdown in a nutshell

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

Plus, Jimmy gave Jey grief because he’s been Roman Reigns’s, well…yep.

Botch of the night:

Maybe it was just the angle, but it looked like Cesaro and Jey Uso botched that first Neuralyzer at the end of the night.

LOL Moment of the night:

Reginald wrestling. It made me laugh.

blue brand goes retro

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

Also, Teddy Long was back and funny.

Noteworthy Moment:

As mentioned before, Jimmy Uso is back.

But, as nice as that might be…Cesaro is your number one contender.

Overall lowlights:

Honestly, biggest gripes would be as follows:

Light on great or even good wrestling matches.

Part of me thinks the whole Jimmy/Jey/Roman thing unfolded a little quickly. Like perhaps they could have teased things more…or had his return be a little more impactful.

blue brand goes retro

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

Then again, in a few months, things change and it may all make much more sense.

Overall highlights:

I enjoyed the retro theming. Gimmicky, but fun.

blue brand goes retro

Source: custom, WWE twitter screenshot

Teddy Long being Teddy Long.

Did I mention…Cesaro is your number one contender?

After the final bell:

All in all, a fairly eventful SmackDown In A Nutshell…so long as you were focused on the main event scene.

Outside of Reigns, The Usos and Cesaro…the gimmicky stuff was fun but the wrestling was lacking.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: