The Smackers Thread

[Snitsky's back acne]

1 hour ago, TheScarlettChad said:

They don't care about the women in general. 

Bullshit. 

[TheAdder]

Is it just me or do most of the actual matches on Smackdown happen during the US ad breaks?

As has just been said I think there is a massive pacing problem with Raw and Smackdown, more so the latter. You can easily have 20 mins go by between those who are in the main event being shown in the arena corridors and the bell for the start of the main event.

That 20 mins usually seems to go something like:

walking in the back

3 minute plus commercial

Some promotional waffle and an entirely different interview in the back

A ring entrance 

Another 3 minute plus commercial

Another unrelated interview in the back

The other ring entrance

Another 3 minute plus commercial during which the ring announcements often happen and sometimes the match even starts as well.

End of US ad break and the opening bell. 
 

Gah.

 

 

 

[d-d-d-dAz]

Just turned it on and Jacob Fatu turning up wearing a balaclava made of Seth Rollins' old socks is a major mood killer.

I might boycott this shit after all.

[DavidB6937]

Pfft nothing Jacob does is a mood killer. He's arguably the best reason to watch Smackdown. He can get away with it.

[d-d-d-dAz]

? You think your special, you do... ? 

Yeah, seriously, incredible. Getting over like rover too.

Ol' Phil can't love the way Cody stepped over the chants of CM Punk. Never getting that main event.

[BigJag]

I thought that Charlotte's delivery of her decision was perfect. Otherwise, she looks painfully thin and her tailor needs to get a better tape measure.

Smackdown zipped as long nicely for me. I watched it whilst doing some chores. Didn't hate anything. 

[Captain SlackBladder]

Jacob Fatu was robbed. This is all. 

[NeverYield]

Fatu is it right now.

Crowd loves him.

 

[Supremo]

Big Joe Tess unable to make the show, so they call Vic Joseph instead. Hilarious. Oh well, Corey Graves. Who knew throwing a massive, childish, public wobbler might be a bad career move? Imagine the strop he’s having now. Dark room. Hawthorne Heights booming on the stereo. He’d probably cry if he wasn’t so fucking punk rock.

I love how they’re still adding metaphors to Wrestlemania. It’s gets more and more ridiculous. Like a Magic Metaphorical Bus of Dreams. You get on the Road to Wrestlemania, you Punch Your Ticket, avoid the Roadblocks, take a Pit Stop at the Soft Play (Elimination Chamber), look out the window and Point at the Wrestlemania Sign, which will in turn create a Clear Path, so you can Forge Your Way to the Grandaddy of them All and Become Immortal. Is it any wonder Cody Rhodes rose to the top of this preposterous company? (Before having his name Indelibly Etched in the Annals of Time).

Other than it once again being too fucking long, my main takeaway from this show was that I think the cracks are starting to show. It happens with every booker. It happens with every hot run. Eventually, the wheels fall off. That’s not to say everything is going to come crashing down next week. Booms can often run off fumes for months, if not years. And there’s always the possibility things can be righted. But right now? A lot of worrying signs.

They really did just split up Karrion Kross and The Miz, didn’t they?! That’s it then, is it? The old team on the scrap heap? What an own goal. The best thing both guys have ever done, a real stroke of magic, and it was abandoned in favour of Miz being shite again, this time on Fridays. Even worse is pairing Miz with LA Knight. I don’t even particularly rate Knight in the ring, but when you pair these two together it’s like the ultimate juxtaposition. LA Knight is what The Miz could be if he took Super Serum. The Miz is what you get when you order an LA Knight from Wish.com.

Have they completely bottled it with the Jade Cargill angle? After all that, just revealing Liv and Raquel as the culprits? Fucking hell. What a Rikishi! Maybe it’s a red herring, but maybe not. Wouldn’t be surprised if they wrap the whole thing up with a crap Raw tag match at the top of the first hour.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn both cut spectacular promos, I’m nearly bursting with excitement, but then they announce it for Elimination Chamber instead of Wrestlemania? What’s going on? In my head, I figured they might have a wild, uncontrollable brawl at Elimination Chamber, confirming the need for Hell in a Cell at Wrestlemania, but now I’m seeing reports that it’s Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton at Wrestlemania? Have you lost your fucking mind, Hunter?! I can’t think of a bigger downgrade. Sami and Kevin telling the most incredible, multi-year story that always delivers greatness, and we’re instead rushing through that so Randy can do some headlocks? Unforgivable, if true.

All this, combined with the Triple Threat nonsense potentially main eventing Night 1 of Wrestlemania, and it’s definitely starting to feel like the rot is setting in. I was only half joking the other day when I said CM Punk was going to end up main eventing Wrestlemania 2000, but watching this show, it’s feeling less and less like a joke. There was a real Wrestlemania 2000 vibe everywhere. It’s fascinating to watch. Like things get too hot, there are too many stars to juggle, you have to make too many compromises, and it all starts falling apart.

On the plus side, Jacob Fatu took his top off. Tits released! Yes!

Edited February 15, 2025 by Supremo

[d-d-d-dAz]

Yeah, that's a very good review.

It feels like WWE is suffering from paralysis of choice. They've got so many hot acts, and a few genuine big stars, and they've tried to sprinkle the stardust too far and wide.

I mean I could be wrong, and this all ends in two absolute banger main events but it feels like they've lacked a bit of ruthlessness in just going with the hottest acts together and leaving everyone else to make do.

Punk/Roman, Cody/Cena... it's right there and - crucially - with Cena retiring, and Punk having the body of a man his age, it may never be there again.

[Supremo]

LOL. Makes sense now.

Road Dogg Brian James has been named the new Co-Lead Writer for the Smackdown brand, 

Road Dogg joins John Swikata in heading the creative for the brand.

- PWInsider

[DavidB6937]

I genuinely don't see rot or any issues with too many hot acts etc.

I see what was always going to happen once Cody finished his story. Apart from a few inevitable enjoyable moments with Roman returning and the OG Bloodline coming back together there was always going to be a transitional period because of how massive a part the Roman/Bloodline stuff has played the past few years.

But the difference now compared to where they were years ago is they actually do have a ton of genuinely over acts. They might be lacking that one fresh big storyline to hook people but overall the state of the company and the rosters is incredibly healthy.

Not only do you have plenty of main event talent who can step up at any time right now but you've got guys like Bron and Solo who people are excited about and you can actually feel positive about the future.

So rot or wheels falling off or whatever else? Probably a bit dramatic for me. Especially knowing where we've come from.

[Onyx2]

4 hours ago, Supremo said:

You get on the Road to Wrestlemania, you Punch Your Ticket, avoid the Roadblocks, take a Pit Stop at the Soft Play (Elimination Chamber), look out the window and Point at the Wrestlemania Sign, which will in turn create a Clear Path, so you can Forge Your Way to the Grandaddy of them All and Become Immortal. Is it any wonder Cody Rhodes rose to the top of this preposterous company? (Before having his name Indelibly Etched in the Annals of Time

Whomever gets me in secret santa this year, please get the whole fucking thing put on a badge for me. 

With Triple H pointing at it. 

[Supremo]

John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes

CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns

Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens

Gunther vs. Jey Uso

Charlotte vs. Tiffany Stratton

Whilst a lot of it is still rumour or projection, that card, considering the talent available? With the fucking Road Doggy Dogg writing it?!

 

[Chili]

Saw @air_raidbringing up champions losing then seeing ol' Doggy Dogg is on creative there. Mr. Wins and Losses don't really matter. Lovely stuff. 

Who used to be head writer, was it Freebird? Has he been quietly removed by the Inquisitor now because he's in the shit with the lawsuits now too?