WWE Smackdown kicked off with a promo segment from Daniel Bryan. However, a heated confrontation was expected between the GM and Commissioner in the opener after what happened at Clash of Champions.
But, instead, we got a segment that left us in the middle of nowhere. Shane was reluctant to make any step and chose to leave the ring. The conflict with Bryan is likely to continue, however.
Pretty average opening tonight, Shane McMahon started to ramble a bit during his promo, pacing felt way off, regardless I’m still enjoying #WWE teasing major tension between Daniel Bryan and Shane O’Mac right now #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 20, 2017
The first match of the night was solid with all the performers tearing each other apart. There’s no denying that Benjamin, Gable and The Usos are the bonafide performers on the blue brand. However, the challengers have not been able to go over with the crowd, at all. Despite their big win via pinfall, the crowd remained reactionless.
The women’s tag team match felt pretty short, yet again. It turned out to be a random tag team action between the babyface and the heel team. Carmella remained absent from the main show, without any reason. Also, it was a surprise to the fans that no further address was done to the speculations about Natalya’s career after she cut the heel promo at Clash of Champions.
Pretty messy tag team match largely due in part to Sarah Logan, Logan has just not looked good in the ring at all since her main roster debut, Ruby Riott is just far more polished and clearly had to take the lead #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 20, 2017
The most exciting part of the evening was delivered when The New Day and Rusev-Aiden English competed in the tag team match. There’s no doubt that all of these performers are more than over with the crowd. The creative team let them have some fun with the Christmas theme in this match, and the audience enjoyed it, thoroughly.
Wrestling in 2017, everyone. This was fun live, not sure how it came off at home. Better than anything on #RAW last night. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/4FJCnFj332
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 20, 2017
In the main event of the night, the team of the AJ Styles, Nakamura and Orton took on against Jinder Mahal, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens. The crowd gave big reactions to Styles and Nakamura, as they pulled off offensive moves in the match to make it a watch. But, the contest was stretched to a big extent, and some part of it bored a bit as well.
Overall, a very good effort from #WWE tonight following up the pretty solid #WWEClash PPV on Sunday night, good mix of basic fun and advancing storylines in New Jersey #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 20, 2017
Really good six man tag main event, AJ Styles pulled off some crazy offense tonight, crowd is still pretty behind Nakamura as a babyface act all these months later #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 20, 2017
Overall, it was not a good show nor a bad show either. Hopefully, we would get a better episode of Smackdown, the day after Christmas, next week. Check out the Twitter reactions from this week’s show:
Not quite the moment Shane Douglas had 23 years ago. #SDLive #DennisCorraluzzo pic.twitter.com/PGeebWe5PI
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) December 20, 2017
WE don’t deserve this two #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Mm8CzcvGzJ
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) December 20, 2017
Seems Ziggler forgot the time Kane ruined his human pyramid. #WWE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/IZUavUApVd
— The Fan’s Podcast (@TheFansPodcast) December 20, 2017
You non-wrestling fans best believe I’m watching grown men dressed as reindeers, an elf, Santa Rusev, and a Snowman in a match and loving every second of it! #SDLive
— Melanie Tettleton (@SportsQueen_5) December 20, 2017
Dolph Ziggler:
2x World Heavyweight Champion
2x United States Champion
5x Intercontinental Champion
1x Tag Team Champion
1x Money In the Bank WinnerAlso makes him a triple crown Champion!
He should defo get more respect! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/jXYwKRfMVh
— All Things WWE ? #SDLive (@_AllThingsWWE_) December 20, 2017
#SDLive Commentary > #RAW Commentary pic.twitter.com/CRgAHcP20C
— Heeltown (@Heeltown_USA) December 20, 2017
Please let them wrestle just like this. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/tNYVk63cHq
— kate at MAGFest. (@makeitloud) December 20, 2017
The Women’s #RoyalRumble Match will be FEELING THE GLOW because @NaomiWWE has just declared herself the first #SDLive entrant! @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/qRTW9AfICj
— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2017
Do they want none? #SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/qpZGYDeWRS
— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2017
I mean, let’s just be honest…. @NaomiWWE is going to win the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble #SDLive pic.twitter.com/MecDyw4pr4
— Joel Romero (@joel_romero01) December 20, 2017
I pray that The New Day serve pancakes dressed as Prince next week. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/zU38jolrjN
— Heel Turn Haden (@_TheSonOfMars_) December 20, 2017
Did they just reference Capitol Punishment in 2017?! #SDLive #DolphCelebration pic.twitter.com/OLqq1ycxN3
— Ellis Mbeh ?♂️ (@EllisMbeh) December 20, 2017
OH, THE HORROR!!!!!!#SDLive @RusevBUL @WWEDramaKing @XavierWoodsPhD @TrueKofi @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/4b6YFAb5YA
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 20, 2017