a new challenger approaches
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

It’s another SmackDown In A  Nutshell, and this week, right off the bat, a new challenger approaches.

This one’s been percolating, but it seems Roman Reigns and Logan Paul are mixing things up, and Paul opened the show with a challenge to the Tribal Chief.

Not the new challenger you might have expected, but a new challenger approaches indeed.

Now, as Reigns has been saying, he’s beaten everyone, so this isn’t the worst idea…even if it is quite bold.

But, it’s not the only trick up someone’s sleeve this week.

What will our new Women’s Tag Team Champions be up to? Will Karrion Kross choke out someone else?

Extreme Rules is getting closer, what else might we see lined up for Philadelphia?

And, as has been a theme of late…will we get any surprise returns tonight? I mean…I have to ask.

But either way, a new challenger approaches this week, so let’s dive into…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: A New Challenger Approaches

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and get into it!

Best Match of the night:

Flip a coin, I will take either Madcap Moss versus Solo Sikoa, or the main event fatal fourway.

Liked them both, and digging that the Brawling Brutes won.

Honestly, in a way, I was hoping Moss would have won, but here’s why…and how it could still work out the way I’d like.

Madcap is a bad name, and he needs his own reboot.

Perhaps he chases Solo to NXT on Tuesday, and an old friend smacks the Madcap right out of him?

Even if he doesn’t win gold, maybe we get Riddick Moss back?

Worst match of the night:

I don’t know that I would call any match bad.

The Logan Paul obsession is a bit of a puzzle, as it seemed to be a Vince thing, but this is one that Triple H is clearly embracing.

I get the millions of eyeballs on the megastar…and he has done good work in the ring…but he should not be a babyface.

Star of the Night

Let’s take the Brawling Brutes here.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Spot of the Night:

Quite a few nice looks…but how about Top Dolla just showing off crazy strength?

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Jobber of the Night:

That would be Mace and Mansoor.

Upset of the Night:

None of note. I think perhaps fans, given the pop for New Day, would rather have seen them face The Usos once again…but it needed to be a new set of challengers.

And…one Uso doesn’t look happy. How this thing ends will be fun to watch.

a new challenger approaches

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

As the roar hit, this hit me.

Right now, Braun Strowman is 2022’s version of ECW’s monster, 911.

If you don’t know what I am talking about, please go look.

Not saying Strowman is just that gimmick, but as he is brought back into the mix, all he is doing is coming out, wrecking the place and leaving.

Just that tonight, it reminded me of 911.

Botch of the night:

There may have been one, but I am drawing a blank.

LOL Moment of the night:

Not sure this one needs any explanation…

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Nor this one…

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Noteworthy Moment:

Paul Heyman is back…missed the Wise Man.

a new challenger approaches

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Also back? Seems like face Shotzi, as she came to the aid of Raquel Rodriguez.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

This was making rounds before the show…but sadly, we did not see it back…yet.

Another good point that was made, considering many Superstars are getting a bit re-done…

And, not saying we get another reboot…but we’ve wanted this for a while, and the man keeps trolling us…

a new challenger approaches

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Overall lowlights:

Already hit on Logan Paul. Though he may be a megastar, he may also be in the midst of an involuntary heel turn.

Reigns is a heel, but fans are behind him. Sami Zayn is a heel, but fans are really getting behind him.

Logan Paul should be a heel…and the fans will love to hate him…but he’s not a heel yet.

Overall highlights:

A really good show, top to bottom.

Great getting Heyman back.

Love seeing a happy Shotzi.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

The total body of work within The Bloodline, especially the tension involving Sami, and how it is constantly stoked?

That stuff is brilliant, and I obviously expect to find out, down the road, that a lot was driven by the mad genius of extreme, Paul Heyman.

After the final bell:

Another show, another good evening.

Seriously, I don’t want to come off like a WWE fangirl, but the quality is just better.

Whether it is the elimination of micromanagement, if Superstars have more leeway with things, or something else…

Or, all of the above even. I don’t know, I don’t care, but it is plain to see things just feel improved.

Sure, it isn’t all perfect, but it’s so much more watchable now.

And, if you missed him…Roman Reigns is back next week. Again.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

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