Although there’s effort in the booking by the creative team of the Smackdown Live, the latest episode saw yet another poor crowd turnout. The arena was not sold out, and significant portions of seats were empty for the major part of the show. This might create a major headache for the officials heading towards one of the most exciting moments of the year, Hell in a Cell.
The main reason behind this may be a poor buildup for the next PPV to be held on October 8th. The entire focus of the event has been granted to the Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens rivalry. As seen on the show, most of the segments were neglected to hype up this feud, yet again.
The ending to Owens vs. Zayn and the Shane McMahon run-in REALLY helped this show tonight, took the show from meh to pretty good #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) September 27, 2017
They definitely need to work a bit harder next week to sell interest in #HIAC, card is stacking up very nicely though I will say #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) September 27, 2017
So, most of the show felt boring until and unless the main event segment came where Kevin Owens laid an assault to Sami Zayn to put him on the shelf. Shane McMahon came running in to make the save and put his hands on the prize-fighter who chose to walk away through the crowd. This was quite a heated segment.
However, the other rivalries, notably the WWE Championship one between Jinder Mahal and Nakamura has not given the momentum that it needs. We don’t even know whether the match will be contested inside the Hell in a Cell structure or not. The creative team will get only one more show leading to the PPV, and they need to address the problem, sooner.
This is how the WWE Universe reacted to the show:
— David Boren (@Dbor24) September 27, 2017
Why the prize fighter run off!!! pic.twitter.com/Ko7yF2vFKb
— josi’ boo (@josiphinecarlto) September 27, 2017
#Underziggler pic.twitter.com/D1URSE9J0i
— nathan hickey (@nathanhickey10) September 27, 2017
✍️? IMO I’d like to see @Goldust doing weekly impersonations of Celebrity Actors in their best Box Office Hits with shades of gold #SDLive pic.twitter.com/mPAxmEo0At
— Jason Calabrese (@TheJasonStatic) September 27, 2017
Dolph will REST IN PEACE pic.twitter.com/TyJzIEdyoy
— Nick (@nickgranato_) September 27, 2017
Leave it to @FightOwensFight to add INSULT to INJURY for @SamiZayn! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/yrV1YOV4UE
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 27, 2017
Sami Zayn is a star ready to breakout. I just hope WWE eventually sees what I see.#SDLive pic.twitter.com/rklcNPWGS9
— Johnny (@WWEJohnny05) September 27, 2017
Yeah I can’t wait for Samis day in the sun.. finally raising the WWE title over his head, the pop will be insane#SDLive pic.twitter.com/rmDjYDRMSO
— Rachel??? (@QueenRayChell) September 27, 2017
I used to enjoy Smackdown, but it’s gone downhill with the same repetitive matches every week. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/dUwGbqHEpu
— Markell Bailey (@tenorbuds) September 27, 2017
The new Kingdom Hearts looks great. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/EiJJJ0t7hA
— Pads (@PaddyDodger) September 27, 2017
DESTINED TO DO THIS FOREVER #SDLive pic.twitter.com/a6NZakAtVV
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) September 27, 2017
Don’t underestimate just how quickly #TheQueen can turn things around! @MsCharlotteWWE continues to build momentum into #HIAC! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/kriRknuhIO
— WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2017
Happy Rusev Day, everybody! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/lw1YsULKKa
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) September 27, 2017
ON TOP! #champlife #SDLive pic.twitter.com/TyhTMG2AvI
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) September 27, 2017
Now if Dolph wanted to make an impression, THIS is the Taker he should’ve impersonated #SDLive pic.twitter.com/NHyOSwooTf
— Alisha?? (@AlishaWithFlair) September 27, 2017