Tonight was a very boring rerun of SmackDown, one of the least exciting I’ve watched in a minute, outside of maybe the main event. Following Money in the Bank, it seemed like quite a few stars were out or not competing in the ring, at least including the new portfolio holder, Tiffany Stratton. Despite not being involved in the ladder match, Charlotte Flair was also nowhere to be seen.
The new Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley, came to the ring to celebrate their victory. It was kind of a silly segment to begin with, and I already don’t like Flair and Paxley not being champions. Bliss had to try to rally the crowd to cheer for Paxley’s first title win on SmackDown, and before Fatal Influence came out to save the segment, Paxley said he had a “special surprise” for Flair when he returned, then proceeded to whisper it in Bliss’ ear or not tell the crowd.
Fortunately, Fatal Influence came out to get the crowd into things a little more, and I liked that I was spared the awkwardness that the champions were giving, which works better in the backstage areas rather than in front of the crowd. It helped make Jacey Jane, Fallon Hanley, and Laney Reed a heel, so I’m all for it.
Jane came out, complaining that Stratton stole the briefcase during the ladder match, which was necessary because Stratton wasn’t on the show. Henley and Reed ran over the new champs saying the quiet parts out loud. Henley went after Bliss, asking her if she was sure Flair was indeed happy that he was the champion and not her, and Reed went for a lower blow, essentially telling Paxley that he was weird and that Flair didn’t really like him. While it may sound basic, the chops were nice and simple for the heat and then they charged the champs with Paxley and Bliss standing tall at the end.
If Flair was out this week, and I hope he’s OK, I don’t know if I’d go this route. The fatal impact that interrupts this segment may seem like a small thing to love in this episode, but in such a dull episode, it was nice to hear the crowd react to a group of nasty heels.
Posted by Daisy Ruth