Don’t laugh, because it might happen.
WWE will be taking SmackDown three hours from next week onwards, so Triple H could be on the lookout for some out there matches that’ll fill time. No, Michael Cole fetching his orange singlet to wrestle Chelsea Green probably won’t be one of them, but…who knows? All the ‘Cole Miners’ worldwide demand it. Ahem.
In all seriousness, there’s a bit of concern that the extra hour will hurt SmackDown’s flow. Generally, the blue brand has been one of the easiest shows on wrestling telly to watch every week for years, but an added 60 minutes could well change that. Or, maybe it’ll give some overlooked undercard workers some time to shine. Let’s just wait and see, eh? No point in moaning before finding out.
This week’s final two hour sendoff had one mission and one mission only: Announce a ladder match for February’s (still weird) Royal Rumble between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Both the standard WWE Title and ‘Winged Eagle’ belts will hang high above the ring in Indianapolis on the road to WrestleMania 41. The warring pair closed Friday’s show with a spirited segment that showcased the best of Rhodes – he’s the man when deadly serious and out for blood.
The Bloodline got to look vicious yet again too. Solo Sikoa sent a message to Roman Reigns via Sami Zayn’s limp body, and there was even time for a cool standoff between Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu. Fingers crossed Trips books that match sometime. Hey, maybe it’ll even contest a title in the future.
Here’s all the good and bad from the end of an era! Goodbye, traditional SmackDown. Thanks for the memories!