Throwback: Starting New Year with a bang!

wrestling 023 & tv review 064

Let's try this one more time...

WWE

SmackDown

January 01st, 2021

Quick Review

I've been wanting to do this... I am so behind but I'll try to take care every episode that I could download, in sequence or rather in schedule from week to week. I love this medium and I want to cover them as effective as I could.  I'll comment more on the storytelling rather than the wrestling itself since I'll never do these athletes any justice.

Intercontinental Champion Big E & Apollo Crews def. Sami Zayn & King Corbin [3/5]

I'm glad Big E is getting a little more deserving spotlight and pairing him up with Apollo is a no-brainer, especially against the pairing of Sami Zayn and King Corbin. All with superb wrestling abilities and great chemistry with each other, definitely a treat for the fans' eyes here. The storyline could be better but what's inside the ring make up for it.

+ Great wrestling with great personalities, with highlights from agile Apollo and cowardly Sami.

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The Riott Squad def. Tamina & Natalya [3/5]

It's unfortunate that none of these women got a chance to lead the division since they have the potential to do so, especially the always solid Ruby Riott and ever improving Liv Morgan. They're just spinning their wheels here since the Tag Belts aren't being billed properly but at least they're using the talents properly, especially Billie Kay and her perfect-for-television comedy prowess. This is a well-executed segment, but another roll-up... I'll make counter for that for sure!

+ Great team up of the Riott Squad against two strong adversaries, with the spotlight definitely stolen by Billie! ... roll-up...

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Bayley & Carmella def. Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair [3.5/5]

Going into the A storyline, these athletes that are on a whole other level compared to the rest of the roster being paired up to face other that, while really by the book, is really the best product the company could produce with the level of talents at hand. Seeds are sown for the possible trajectory for the Championship while the feud between Sasha and Carmella is going strong, with Reginald being the edge the contender using to her advantage right now. Having a male escort, so to speak, is a great twist of the old wrestling trope, and having him to be quite an agile adversary is a great addition to the storytelling.

+ Top of the crop wrestlers & agile distraction.

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Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode attacked The Street Profits during their New Year’s Day Smoke-Tacular [2.5/50]

Doing what they do best without missing a beat despite the change of scenery from Gold to Red and now Blue, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford is filling in the void left by the New Day perfectly despite beign a man short. While I'm always disheartened that Bobby Roode's great NXT run couldn't be replicated on the main roster, I'm glad that he's still being used well and always on the small screen, paired with the ever versatile Ziggler. A nice buildup of tension between these two pairs and it's entertaining, whether or not the comedy is to your liking.

+ Entertaining segment, a good levity amongst the matches.

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Daniel Bryan & Otis def. Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura [3/5]

The potential in the Money in the Bank briefcase holder Otis has crashed and burned unfortunately, which is to be expected by the writing team, and thankfully the forever giving vet of the industry Daniel Bryan comes to the rescue once again, putting the younger talent over especially those that are never given the time of day to excel.Their chemistry with each other is a delight to see, playing off of each other wonderfully. The opposite side on the other hand have wrestling chemistry like no other, definitely would give a Takeover-level showcase if given the proper time and platform. While they are also another prime examples of supreme talents that would lead the roster with ease, they play off each other well even when they despise each other.

+ The highest level of talents on this show at one time on the mat with a dose of humour to spice it up.

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Kevin Owens def. Jey Uso; Reigns unleashed a massive beatdown on Owens [4.5/5]

I'm just glad that Kevin on the main event again (not the show!) and having the uber villain to play off of certainly up the ante to the next level, giving the Blue Brand an upper hand over the Red every time in terms of their storyline. Certainly a better viewing that ends with a bang, a much needed Steel Cage aftermath is a helping hand to add an extra depth of layer to the story being told, with the bout in the ring with Jey and the subsequent beating all around the arena. Having them play around all those LCDs with the reactions of the fans plastered all over them is certainly a one-of-a-kind event that would be looked upon in the future as the Pandemic Era. I just hope it would be over soon...

+ Intensity level that's a level above everything else & a beating that's a fitting ending to the clash between the two sides.

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Source: Official