This special Isenberg Reacts is going to take a look at the overview of Smackdown Live heading into the summer months. Instead of breaking down last night’s episode, a better idea would be to look at the roster as a whole and see who is swimming along, who is floating and who is sinking.
The Success Stories
Even though it was controversial, the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match two weeks ago was extremely fun to watch and on Smackdown Live it was again. It accomplished so much and got the right amount of heat on a heel as hot as Carmella. She is thriving in her own ways right now and James Ellsworth, who I hated being in feuds with AJ Styles, found his niche. The second MITB ladder match was scripted very well, with solid moves and pacing that gave the night a 27 minute main event. Carmella grabs the briefcase again and the women are the main story on Smackdown Live.
The women’s division on Smackdown has plenty of options. Who would have thought that they have 4-5 women that could be champion right now. Charlotte, Becky, Carmella, Natalya and Naomi are the cream of the crop. Tamina and Lana are going to be used accordingly and potentially to get the other four women over. It is a deep roster and, yes, seven women that you are interested in seeing each week makes it deep. If you can give these women 15-20 minutes each week, that is more than enough. They make up for 15 percent of the roster. One or two segments on a show that has 8 total is a nice balance. This keeps them fresh and will give them more opportunities to not be exposed too much for some of their shortcomings. I like what they are doing here and more is always good for this specific division of wrestlers.
Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal
Two more successful guys on Smackdown Live are the ones feuding for the WWE World Championship. Jinder Mahal has grown into a believable and potentially dominant champion, while Randy Orton is cutting some of his best promos since he only had two tattoos on his body. The combination of race relations, family issues and how Jinder has been perceived leading up to this mixes very well on a weekly basis.
Randy and Jinder’s feud will most likely wrap up in the next 4-6 weeks, but I still think Mahal is in for more main event guys coming his way. Who would like Cena vs. Mahal? Styles vs. Mahal? Dillinger vs. Mahal? The options for him are limitless. Why? Everything is brand new for him now. That makes him desirable in any feud. I am looking forward to the Punjabi Prison match at WWE Battleground because, again, it is fresh.
