It’s another SmackDown In A Nutshell, and this time around the season premiere goes home…to Extreme Rules.
Yep, it’s the go home show, and it’s the season premiere.
Hence why we say the season premiere goes home.
Saturday we will be watching intently as Extreme Rules hits Philly, the cradle of extreme.
For now, what is there about this season premiere that we are excited about?
Well, for starters, the likely final white rabbit teaser. We know who’s been crafting them, and we should know soon who is behind them.
Our main event? That’s the Intercontinental Championship match.
Sheamus and GUNTHER, one more time…banger after banger indeed.
Beyond that, it’s the odd season premiere, so it seems safe to expect some surprises even as the blue brand goes home to Extreme Rules.
So, it’s time to get into it…
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!
GUNTHER and Sheamus, hands down.
The ending was a minor downer, but you get the feeling it sets up the 3rd match in this war, hopefully?
Of course, if we had more time (and they weren’t already booked for a six man match in Philly), I would say their 3rd happens in a cage for that card.
I still think we eventually see a rematch, and a vindicating win for Sheamus. Hopefully.
Maybe two out of three falls? Since, well, GUNTHER did kind of tap…
Nothing to complain about.
Not calling out a chant…but the crowd during Logan Paul’s time with The Bloodline.
We know that Reigns et al are supposed to be the heels. Fans in Worcester?
They didn’t get that memo.
Paul is absolutely a heel in most cases, which is a pickle here. Reigns has been getting more and more over, but he’s still a heel…so…
So much to love.
Legado is here, finally, and Zelina Vega with them.
Triple H had some fun to start.
The Bloodline did what they always do.
Karrion Kross and Drew McIntyre had a killer segment yet again. Their match could steal the show tomorrow.
Sheamus and GUNTHER.
And, the white rabbit.
Not a spot per se…but those bloody welts on Sheamus’ chest?
Holy cow, that is working stiff.
Could you imagine if Sammy was on the receiving end of those?!
Poor Michael Cole…
Or, Maximum Male Models, because…LA KNIGHT IS BACK!
I suppose you might say New Day over The Usos is one.
Except, Kofi and Xavier did have Braun.
The opening gave us a Triple H return and a huge pop…and the first QR code of the night.
It did not disappoint, and it could not make things any clearer who is back.
Also, if you aren’t one to click on the QR code, there was a full on white rabbit vignette later, acknowledging that tomorrow at Extreme Rules is indeed the night.
All that remains? Is it just Bray…or is he bringing a family with him.
Or, is this poor guy in the suit just the return of Adam Rose…
Not so much a botch, just a wait and see…but Electra Lopez not being part of Legado is a minor bummer, if you saw her in NXT.
For those who are seeing Santos and friends for the first time, with a returning Zelina? Those folks won’t much mind.
But, considering how Santos left NXT (“I am not leaving without you all”)…at some point you figure they have to explain where she is, or bring her in.
Cole and Barrett were not bad. I liked Wade in NXT, and felt he should get a shot on the main shows, and now he does indeed have it.
Heyman and that opening segment was just so good. Lots of shots, some more veiled than others, but I feel like he had everyone in the ring fighting back laughter.
The downside? Logan was not getting cheers…but Reigns does not want to turn face, or so we’ve heard.
Legado del Fantasma is back, and they are on SmackDown…but not with Electra Lopez.
Instead, they have been brought in with Zelina Vega. I am curious to see if Vega is not cleared still, hence the valet.
Or, perhaps, if WWE is getting Lopez some more seasoning, and then will pair her with Vega as a tag team.
Either way, the faction revived an old feud from NXT, taking out Hit Row as they made their presence known.
Also, we got a Viking Raiders vignette, but with a female voice. I thought I heard a Brit accent, thinking Nikki Cross…but could it be this option instead?
My only gripe is no Electra, but I am willing to say let’s see how it goes. Me, and plenty of folks on Twitter, say put Lopez with Vega so that Legado has two tag teams.
If that pans out, not so bad. Just wish she was here from night one.
Pretty much the whole show.
Could this be the best SmackDown of the year? I think it is a contender, and RAW will have a tough act to follow.
Maybe it’s a bit hyperbolic, but it was a really good show. Perhaps not as much in ring action as you’d like, but it was a go home show, as well as a season premiere.
Meaning this show was more about surprises and hype, and it had that in spades.
So, there’s so much going on, and it’s on to Extreme Rules.
Lots of long term storytelling going on now in WWE. The white rabbit stuff should be revealed, at least to some extent, in Philly.
We have another new faction who can work, so that should be fun.
There is tension in the Bloodline, to some extent, so that bears watching.
Just a lot to like. I love not feeling like Friday nights I am wasting two hours on a bland show.
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