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With Bad Blood being tomorrow night, WWE SmackDown had to deliver. It was more of a mixed bag. Tonight's episode of the blue brand featured a mix of huge returns and epic in-ring action, but it was not all perfect.
There were some missteps along the way, as we will get to. So, without further ado, let's look at the biggest positives and negatives from the WWE SmackDown before Bad Blood.
#3. Best/Worst: Tiffy can't keep losing all the time
As good as her match against Naomi was, Tiffany Stratton eating another loss on WWE SmackDown is not ideal. The Money in the Bank winner always loses a lot after winning the briefcase, even when it becomes counterproductive. That kind of attitude needs to stop.
A successful cash-in isn't enough to shed the reputation of being a serial loser anymore. So, Stratton better win some matches before she finally betrays Nia Jax. Well, unless Tiffy Time comes as early as Bad Blood. It has become one of the more compelling stories heading into the premium live event following tonight's tease.
#2. Worst: Not such a phenomenal return
Botched introduction aside, it seemed like AJ Styles' return on WWE SmackDown was going to be phenomenal. He is seemingly back as a babyface and even addressed his villainous actions from earlier this year.
Styles was interrupted by Carmelo Hayes, who ended up facing him. However, just as the match got going, The Phenomenal One suffered an apparent ankle injury. After battling through it, AJ eventually couldn't continue. Hayes "won" the match, as a result.
LA Knight came out to attack Melo right after he was declared the winner, which means he is due a United States Title shot. As good as it was to see AJ Styles, this was an unfortunate turn of events. What a confusing way to bring back one of WWE's greatest-ever superstars.
#2. Best: Chelsea done dirty
From the closing moments of her Dumpster Match against Michin to her hilarious backstage walk, Chelsea Green was one of the stars of tonight's show. She got powerbombed through a table into a dumpster, before being trapped in it for a minute.
Green came out of it stinking, as her backstage segment not so subtly revealed. Multiple WWE SmackDown stars reacted to the "smell," as Chelsea took the walk of shame alongside Piper Niven. She was the perfect person for such a segment.
#1. Worst: Where was everybody?!
For the go-home show of a huge premium live event, one would think more big stars would be there. However, the entire babyface section of the main event scene was missing from WWE SmackDown tonight.
Roman Reigns was never going to be there, but Cody Rhodes' absence was surprising. Randy Orton and Kevin Owens were also not on the show, despite their heavy presence last week. This might indicate they will play a part in the Bad Blood main event.
Either way, this left WWE SmackDown slightly bare, story-wise. After weeks of carrying the biggest angle on Friday nights, Rhodes, Owens, and Orton's absence from the show was definitely felt.
#1. Best: A killer WWE SmackDown main event
Despite the absence of the biggest babyfaces of the brand, the main event of SmackDown was epic. The Bloodline defended their WWE Tag Team Championship in a Ladder Match. The Street Profits and DIY challenged them, coming incredibly close to winning those beautiful belts.
The match eventually turned into a TLC Match of sorts, with Montez Ford hitting a Frog Splash on Tonga Loa through a table. Angelo Dawkins and DIY teamed up to triple powerbomb Tama Tonga through the announce table. However, that wasn't enough.
In the end, following a sickening bump through a ladder, Tonga Loa thwarted his challengers before retrieving the WWE Tag Team Titles. It was an incredible showcase for the division, even if either DIY or The Street Profits could have done with the victory instead.
The Motor City Machine Guns will only add to it, following their impending debut on SmackDown.
