WWE Smackdown: Randy Orton’s time as top star is done, Jinder Mahal’s winning streak goes on and Kevin Owens steals highlight reel
Breezango can't read but have loads of personality and Rusev's strange no-show
WITH WWE’s next pay-per-view spectacular Backlash now just five days away, last night was the “go home” show for the superstars of SmackDown.
With every championship on the line at Backlash – and the battle for dominance on the blue brand – it was all to play for last night.
Here’s seven important things we learnt from the show.
KO has stolen the Highlight Reel
Not content with putting Chris Jericho, now Kevin Owens has stolen his Highlight Reel chat show. It’s appropriate – KO’s chat really is the highlight of SmackDown.
It’s great heat and will make it even sweeter when Y2J eventually returns for revenge on the US Champion.
Last night though, the Highlight Reel was interrupted by Owens’ opponent at this Backlash this Sunday, AJ Styles – continuing to set up what should be the feud of the summer.
Jinder Mahal’s winning streak continue
Before AJ gets to Kevin Owens he faced Jinder Mahal.
Mahal defeated “The Phenomenal One” – but only after KO clobbered Styles with his title belt, allowing Mahal to lock in his Khallas slam.
Who would have thought at the start of the year that Jinder Mahal would pin both WWE Champion Randy Orton and world’s greatest wrestler Styles in the space of two weeks?
But credit to WWE and Mahal – “The Maharajah” is getting over.
Naomi is not much of a champ
Only four weeks ago Charlotte pinned SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi – then last night the “Staten Island Princess” Carmella rolled her up for a crafty win.
The match was set by Shane O’ Mac after a contract signing for this Sunday.
We know these decisions are booked to continue storylines, but what sort of champion is pinned week-in, week-out on television?
It only devalues WWE’s championships and supposed top superstars.
Breezango can’t read but have tons of personality
This week’s hilarious Fashion Files skit saw Tyler Breeze and Fandango stumped over The Usos’ “One Day Ish” t-shirt.
Fandango said: “One day is H? What does that even mean?”
The Usos’ nonsensical retort afterwards was less entertaining (just a week after Sun Sport praised their promo skills) but we’re looking forward to their match at Backlash.
Breezango are finally getting chance to show their personalities – and they’re more than capable of doing it the ring with tag champs The Usos.
They deserve a run with the belts and a programme with American Alpha. Who knows, Breezango’s personalities could even rub off on Alpha.
Rusev was a no-show
Last week Rusev promised to show up to confront Shane McMahon and demand a WWE title shot at Money In The Bank.
Except “The Bulgarian Brute” never showed up. He tweeted to say he was at a Nashville Predators game instead.
It’s strange that WWE didn’t address his absence after advertising his return last week.
Is it storyline? Is Rusev in the bad books? Or will all be answered next week?
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Sami Zayn v Baron Corbin at Backlash
Sami appeared in a backstage interview, confirming that he’d got the match he requested against Bazza Corbin this Sunday.
Sami said he was a threat to Corbin’s ego, which is why “The Lone Wolf” has attacked him the past few weeks – before Corbin predictably attacked him once more.
It’s hard to get excited for this.
Zayn and Corbin aren’t a good fit in the ring – and it feels like both men should be elevated to the next level than tangling with each other in yet another mid-card feud.
SmackDown needs a new world champion
Randy Orton faced Baron Corbin in the main event and scored the win with a trademark RKO – before Jinder Mahal appeared with the Singh brothers to beat down Orton.
But once again the WWE Champion was the least interesting thing on SmackDown.
We’re sorry to say it, but Orton’s time as a top tier star is done.
We’re not suggesting that Jinder Mahal become champ, of course.
But WWE needs to line up someone to take the title after Backlash and boost the blue brand with a new – and more relevant – champion.