big night sami zayn
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Well, it’s going to be an interesting SmackDown in a Nutshell this week. After all, we have a big night for Sami Zayn ahead of us.

After all of his ups and downs, the Honorary Uce hasn’t had the best 2023. He has a big match against Kevin Owens this week.

Hence…it’s a big night for Sami Zayn.

One has to think that, should this not go well, it’s another step toward the rumored end of the Honorary Uce.

So, aside from that big night for Sami, what else is on our agenda?

Oh, you know, the usual stuff, two weeks away from the Rumble and all.

Gunther and Braun Strowman are set to collide for the Intercontinental Championship. That could be a banger.

And, well, the rest is surely going to just build up the Rumble.

In between, we just hope there aren’t any major changes (for the bad), given the mega heel moves in the last week.

So, with that said, it is time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Big Night For Sami Zayn

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

big night sami zayn

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

The crowd chanted. It was good.

And, to be honest, the last five minutes or so, after the tainted finish, was excellent.

Worst match of the night:

Only because they were too short, but Tegan Nox and Xia Li deserved more than a couple minutes.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez didn’t get much more.

But…dig Liv’s new gear.

big night sami zayn

Crowd Chants of the Night:

This is awesome

Star of the Night

On any other night, Gunther and Braun Strowman might land here. For two big men, one of whom isn’t as talented as the other…

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

This was a much better match than I expected.

But the winner? Sami Zayn specifically, but a nod to Kevin Owens as well.

Spot of the Night:

Closed the show with Solo Sikoa putting Kevin Owens through the table.

That will work.

Jobber of the Night:

I guess for the quick loss, we go with Xia Li?

Upset of the Night:

Sami Zayn was upset that his match against KO was interrupted.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Another twist on the road to the eventual Sami Zayn redemption tour.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Crazy little brawl in the back between Charlotte and Sonya Deville.

My only “meh”? That outfit Charlotte had on.

Just…I don’t know, felt a bit like 80’s Jazzercise.

That said, I think it’s a good way to possibly elevate Deville. Wonder if maybe WWE throws her in with Baszler and Rousey for an MMA stable.

Botch of the night:

Now, not exactly a botch. More like an…”oh jeez”.

As in…oh jeez could you be any more obvious, and we had a few of those during the above mentioned brawl.

Like, Charlotte turning her back on Deville, with officials keeping their distance? Yes, even a blind person saw those things coming.

Noteworthy Moment:

So, looks like there’s going to be a tag team tournament for a shot at the Usos.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Starts next week, and we know Drew and Sheamus get a chance at the Viking Raiders.

Overall lowlights:

Non-show related, but all of the black cloudiness following WWE now.

Compared to most of the last few years, since SummerSlam things have been so positive.

And now…with Vince back, the possible sale looming and all the other rumors…it’s not fun.

Overall highlights:

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

If you like the Wyatt-QR fun, we got more of it tonight. Worth noting that he brought the rocking chair back and claimed to be Uncle Howdy and “him”.


Also said “we are here” while being solo…so yep, more fun to come.

And we are so used to seeing one of Sami or Kevin turn on the other.

Now we get to see Zayn redeem himself. Can’t tell if he didn’t want Jimmy and Jey and Solo beating up on his friend, or didn’t like being tested and teased.

Either way, Sami was clearly not happy when they arrived, and half-heartedly did the finger raising at the end.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

The slow turn is under way.

After the final bell:

I did not hate the show.

Started with a good one, ended with a good one.

My biggest complaint, I think, falls on the women’s matches.

Tegan and Xia should have had more time, or not a match at all.

Raquel and Liv mostly felt like it existed to prove that Liv could toss Raquel over the top…but for that, it was too long.

Regardless, it was a big night for Sami, and as we inch closer to the Rumble, it’s only going to get bigger.

 

Mentioned in this article:

More About: