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The Good

This show was like comfort food—easy to digest and mostly satisfying. The wrestling was solid, the results made sense, and the crowd was all-in, making it an enjoyable watch. Let’s dive into the highlights:

Rhea Ripley Retains Her Title

The Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley, kicked off the night by retaining her title against Nia Jax in a strong opener. Rhea continues to dominate without much character development lately, but when you're that big of a star, who needs layers? She's the superhero we root for—even if she’s missing the dramatic backstory. Call it the “Rhea Effect.”

Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus: The IC Title Saga

Bron Breakker defeated Sheamus to retain his Intercontinental Championship in what may have been the match of the night. It’s Sheamus’ 798th attempt to capture the IC Title (at least it feels that way), but who’s counting? Oh, wait—I am.

Sheamus’ quest for the IC belt is like a long-running TV series. Think Supernatural—great in the beginning, but after a while, you’re wondering, “Are we still doing this?” Don’t get me wrong; the story works, but if they want to keep the momentum, a WrestleMania career vs. title match might be the way to go. Sheamus needs that defining, all-or-nothing moment.

As for Bron, he’s in an odd spot. The man’s barely on TV these days, except for the occasional backstage promo where he growls about dogs barking. His last televised match was over a month ago on 12/16, but somehow, it hasn’t hurt his credibility. WrestleMania season is here, though, so let’s hope the dogs start barking a little louder.

Gunther Retains Against Jey Uso

In the main event, World Champion Gunther retained his title against Jey Uso in a surprisingly strong showing for Jey. Now, let’s be real: No one over the age of seven thought Jey was walking out with the belt, but the crowd was firmly in his corner. Jey’s popularity carried the match, and Gunther remains an unstoppable force.

With WrestleMania looming, both men are in intriguing positions. Gunther is clearly set for a marquee moment, while Jey remains a fan favorite with untapped potential. Will they strike gold with his storyline, or will he remain the eternal “almost” guy?

The Bad

Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens Contract Signing

This segment wasn’t technically bad, but it felt lukewarm for a program as well-written as this one. Cody and Kevin are both incredible on the mic, and Shawn Michaels served as the mediator (tolerable, if not impactful), but this feud is severely lacking buzz.

One big problem? No one really wants to boo Kevin Owens. He’s too beloved for fans to truly buy into him as a credible heel against Cody, who is clearly the chosen one on a collision course with John Cena at WrestleMania. The outcome feels like a foregone conclusion, which dampens the stakes. My guess? Owens pivots to a program with Sami Zayn after this. It’s not bad; it’s just… there.

The Ugly

The WWE Transfer Portal

Okay, I’m cheating here because this doesn’t directly tie into Saturday’s show, but the Transfer Portal is a glaring issue across WWE programming. What is it, you ask? Great question. No one knows.

For months now, WWE has been casually allowing superstars to jump between shows with zero explanation, creating a chaotic free-for-all. It’s as if someone handed WWE the Infinity Gauntlet of storytelling tools, and they snapped away all logic. Sure, I understand the real-world reason—flexibility to keep storylines moving—but would it kill them to explain this on TV?

At its core, the Transfer Portal undermines the brand split structure, making it hard to care about roster alignments when there’s no foundation. It’s bush-league storytelling, plain and simple, and easily the worst creative decision under Triple H’s leadership—yes, even worse than those endless bad finishes (which, to his credit, have improved recently). WWE has done so much right, but this? Fix it, please.

Final Thoughts

Saturday Night Main Event was a fun, breezy show overall, with solid matches and strong crowd energy. Rhea Ripley continues to shine, Bron and Sheamus delivered a great match despite a tired story, and Gunther remains a world-class champion. However, the Cody-Kevin feud needs more heat, and the Transfer Portal remains a mess WWE needs to address.

With WrestleMania season officially underway, there’s plenty to look forward to, but here’s hoping WWE cleans up its loose ends. Because no one likes a house built on a shaky foundation—unless that house happens to belong to the Addams Family.

Stay tuned, wrestling fans. Things are bound to get interesting. 

The Good

For a two-hour show, Raw somehow managed to fit in moments that made you glad you tuned in instead of doomscrolling Twitter for the evening.

CM Punk reminded us why he’s the Picasso of promos, delivering a sit-down segment that painted Seth Rollins as a needy WWE mascot clutching the company logo like a blankie. Seth’s retort was solid—passionate, intense—but let’s be real, it also screamed, “Please validate me, Daddy WWE!” Still, the back-and-forth was gold.

The Judgment Day, who’ve spent months feeling about as intimidating as an unpaid parking ticket, actually looked good last night. Finn Bálor showed up with a mic in hand and actual fire in his soul, while Gunther—yes, Gunther—gave us a promo that deserves to be framed. Can we all agree that Gunther might secretly be the best talker in the business? Meanwhile, Damian Priest played the lovable punching bag, and shockingly, the crowd cared.

And The New Day? Oh, they understood the assignment. Their segment was pure magic, a perfect blend of comedy and charisma. If you missed it, drop everything and watch it. Seriously, it was that good.

The Bad

You know what wasn’t good? The never-ending snoozefest that is Final Testament vs. Wyatt Sixx. Last night’s match was fine—if by fine, you mean the wrestling equivalent of eating unsalted crackers. The Wyatts still have some spark, but Final Testament? These guys are walking, talking heat sinks. Every feud they touch immediately cools off. It’s like their superpower.

This program has all the momentum of a shopping cart with a broken wheel, and the fact that it’s still limping along is honestly impressive. Wyatt Sixx might recover from this, but Final Testament? They’re circling the creative drain faster than we can say, “budget cuts.”

The Ugly

Ah, the Women’s Midcard Division, where talent goes to die. WWE is introducing two new midcard titles, but here’s the problem: they barely give the current women’s midcard any screen time. Last night, the booking was so bad, I half expected someone to cue the Benny Hill theme.

It’s not like they’re short on talent, either. Over in NXT, they’ve got Julia, Zaria, and Vaquer—arguably the best trio of prospects in a decade. But if WWE keeps up this nonsense, those women will graduate to Raw or SmackDown just to sit in catering.

Let’s face it: the women’s division is a mess, and unless something changes fast, those midcard titles will be as meaningful as a participation trophy.

Final Thoughts

Raw’s new two-hour format is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, the pacing is tighter, and the show doesn’t feel like a marathon. On the other hand, WWE’s bad habits—like ignoring the women’s midcard and dragging out lifeless feuds—still stand out.

That said, with CM Punk, Seth Rollins, The New Day, and Judgment Day’s strong performances, there’s still hope. Now, if they can just fix the women’s division and send Final Testament to feud purgatory, we might have a near-perfect show. Here’s to next week. Try harder, WWE.

 Yet, Friday Night SmackDown this week delivered a near-flawless spectacle, leaving this critic with little to critique and much to celebrate. In the spirit of fun and scholarly dissection, let us explore this gem of an episode through the lens of the good, the (barely) bad, and the (nonexistent) ugly—complete with the intellectual rigor befitting a Harvard thesis.

The Good: A Cornucopia of Excellence

SmackDown was replete with moments of unadulterated brilliance, beginning with the ever-magnificent Bloodline segment. At this point, The Bloodline saga has transcended traditional wrestling storytelling, becoming a Shakespearean drama played out under the bright lights of the squared circle. The familial tension, strategic alliances, and betrayal mirror King Lear more than Monday Night Raw, and this week’s installment did not disappoint. The segment was a masterclass in narrative pacing, character development, and emotional gravitas.

Elsewhere, DIY’s heel turn injected a refreshing shot of adrenaline into a team that had languished in the shadows for far too long. While comparisons to the New Day’s heel turn on Monday are inevitable, DIY’s effort felt more meticulously crafted, even if slightly less dynamic in execution. Still, their transition to the dark side promises an intriguing new chapter in their story, reminiscent of a prestige TV character’s moral decline—think Walter White in Breaking Bad, but with more superkicks.

Bianca Belair, ever the consummate performer, showcased her prodigious talent in a scintillating match against Piper Niven. Watching Belair is akin to witnessing Serena Williams in her prime—power, grace, and an indomitable will to succeed, all on full display. The match was a high-water mark in what has already been an illustrious career for Belair, and Niven’s underrated prowess made for a formidable opponent.

The Cody Rhodes vs. Chad Gable match, while perhaps not transcendent, was another highlight. Rhodes, a wrestler who can transform even the most ephemeral feuds into compelling narratives, brought his usual flair, while Gable’s hometown hero reception in Minnesota added an emotional undercurrent to the bout. It was the wrestling equivalent of a well-executed Netflix mini-series: short, impactful, and worth the watch.

The Barely Bad: The Portal Transfer Conundrum

If there is a blemish on this otherwise pristine episode, it is the curious introduction of the so-called “portal transfer.” WWE’s history with the brand split has been, shall we say, less than consistent. The concept of wrestlers traversing the boundaries of Raw, SmackDown, and NXT has always been treated with a laissez-faire attitude that undermines the potential value of such a system. Now, with the introduction of this portal, the narrative logic is stretched even thinner.

The portal transfer concept, while ostensibly designed to facilitate the shifting landscape of WWE’s television contracts—Raw to Netflix, SmackDown to new heights—feels like an afterthought rather than a deliberate, well-integrated mechanism. One cannot help but wonder: could this not have been explained with more gravitas? Instead, it lands with all the narrative cohesion of a Michael Bay subplot—flashy, but not fully thought through.

That said, the portal’s potential for reshaping the WWE landscape is undeniable. The prospect of The Bloodline moving to Raw, Cody Rhodes anchoring SmackDown, or Seth Rollins injecting his enigmatic energy into a new roster is tantalizing. But for now, the portal transfer exists as an idea in need of refinement.

The Nonexistent Ugly: A Night of Clean Finishes

In a stunning departure from WWE’s usual modus operandi, this episode of SmackDown featured—brace yourselves—a series of clean finishes. Such a rarity in modern wrestling deserves to be lauded with the fervor of a Marvel fan watching the first Avengers movie. No convoluted interference, no sudden disqualifications—just honest-to-goodness wrestling matches reaching their natural conclusions. This adherence to in-ring integrity elevated the episode to a realm of excellence rarely seen.

Final Thoughts: A Masterpiece of Modern Wrestling

Friday Night SmackDown this week was not just good; it was a beacon of what WWE can achieve when firing on all creative cylinders. From the Bloodline’s operatic drama to Bianca Belair’s athletic tour de force, the show was a testament to the artistry and entertainment value of professional wrestling at its finest. Even the portal transfer, with its flaws, hints at a future rich with narrative possibilities.

In the words of The Dark Knight’s Alfred Pennyworth, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.” But as a wrestling fan, I’d much prefer to watch a world where SmackDown delivers episodes of this caliber week after week. If this is a harbinger of things to come, consider me optimistic about the future of WWE storytelling.

The Good: Excellence in Execution (For Once)

First and foremost, let us bow our heads and acknowledge the brilliance that was The New Day segment. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods delivered three minutes of perfection—a masterclass in subtle storytelling that could make even the bard himself weep. Watching these two friends navigate a growing rift has been both heartbreaking and fascinating. It's the kind of slow-burn narrative WWE typically fumbles, but this time? Chef's kiss.

Honestly, do we even want these two to break up? This feels like the rare opportunity to tell a different kind of wrestling story—one where best friends actually reconcile without having to throw each other through furniture. Imagine this: Big E, the heart and soul of the group, swoops in to patch things up and they go on to set new records. Call me sentimental, but we could be onto something revolutionary here. Regardless, last night’s segment was a reminder that, when WWE gets it right, it really gets it right.

Also in the "Good" column: Damian Priest, who seems to have discovered his promo skills in some hidden drawer of his Judgment Day wardrobe. Where was this energy during his title run? Priest going toe-to-toe with Gunther in a promo battle was compelling stuff. Though Gunther's “crisis of confidence” storyline isn’t exactly Shakespeare, it’s at least logical—tying back to his loss to Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.

The Bad: Another Title Nobody Asked For

WWE announced the new IC Women’s Title before the show, and, well, let’s just say this feels like a solution in search of a problem. Conceptually, a mid-card women’s title sounds fair. Realistically, WWE’s women’s division isn’t ready to handle it. Why? Because while the roster is deep enough in bodies, it’s shallow in characters.

Let’s be honest: only 3-4 women per show are actually over. The rest are wandering the creative desert, surviving on the scraps of whatever promo time they can find. Adding a new belt when the storytelling is already this thin feels like handing someone a trophy for a race they haven’t run yet. Maybe this works if WWE invests in elevating the women’s division as a whole, but right now, the math isn’t mathing.

And, for the love of wrestling gods, did we really need another brand-specific belt? This could have been a floating title—something to build intrigue across both shows. But alas, WWE seems content to pile up belts like it's hoarding them for a post-apocalyptic barter system.

The Ugly: Finish Him? Nah.

Ah, the bane of modern WWE: bad finishes. Last night was no exception. WWE's obsession with "storytelling over competition" reared its ugly head yet again, delivering a buffet of nonsensical, momentum-killing endings that made me long for the days of clean, decisive victories.

It’s disheartening because we know Triple H is capable of better. His NXT booking was built on competitive matches that made sense. Now, it feels like he’s absorbed Vince McMahon’s philosophy of “eh, finishes don’t matter,” and it’s a little soul-crushing to watch. Sure, the crowd of 12,000 didn’t seem to care. WWE is red-hot right now, and maybe most fans have just accepted that shoddy finishes are “what wrestling is.” But one day, this approach is going to bite them. Hard.

Final Thoughts: Raw in a Nutshell

In summary, last night’s Raw was a mix of brilliance, mediocrity, and downright frustration. The New Day stole the show with a flawless segment, Damian Priest and Gunther added some much-needed credibility to the mid-card scene, and then WWE went and WWE’d the whole thing with another title and a heap of bad finishes.

It’s the dichotomy of WWE: they can give you a three-minute masterpiece and then turn around and make you question why you care so much. But hey, that’s sports entertainment for you—equal parts joy and exasperation. 

The Good

Let us delve into the intricacies of the War Games setup. On the women’s front, the match appears to exist solely because War Games is the titular event—a thematic indulgence reminiscent of Vince McMahon’s proclivity for prioritizing spectacle over narrative coherence. Yet, despite its ostensibly perfunctory inception, the build has been commendable, providing at least a veneer of justification for its occurrence. The return of Rhea Ripley, donning a striking mask, injects a much-needed infusion of gravitas and star power into the proceedings, akin to adorning an otherwise ordinary narrative with an opulent flourish.

Conversely, on the men’s side, the Bloodline’s calculated recruitment of Seth Rollins provides a narrative throughline imbued with dramatic tension. The interference of the newly configured Bloodline faction in the main event—ultimately costing Rollins the match—practically cements his eventual participation in the War Games match. Whether the deeply personal familial conflicts at the heart of this storyline genuinely necessitate a fifth man remains a matter of intellectual debate, but WWE’s deft storytelling thus far has rendered the journey to this destination more compelling than the sum of its narrative components might initially suggest.

The Bad

It would be disingenuous to label this entirely as “bad,” yet WWE’s recent predilection for taped programming warrants scrutiny. While the practice undoubtedly enhances the well-being and morale of its overworked and undercompensated athletes, the resultant episodes possess a discernible diminution of urgency. It is an imperceptible yet palpable phenomenon, akin to the subtle diminution of quality one detects in reheated gourmet cuisine. The abundance of video packages further exacerbates this malaise, rendering Raw a simulacrum of itself—a production bereft of immediacy and vitality, striving yet failing to replicate the dynamism of its live counterparts.

The Ugly

Now we arrive at WWE’s perennial Achilles’ heel: the egregious absence of clean match conclusions. While last night’s proceedings did not descend into unmitigated farce, the absence of resolution in the Sheamus-Bronn bout exemplifies a persistent issue. Bronson Reed’s ostensible triumph over Seth Rollins in the main event, facilitated by a cacophony of external interference, feels less like a legitimate victory and more like a theatrical contrivance. WWE’s apparent pedagogical mission to inculcate in its audience the notion that match outcomes are inconsequential fundamentally undermines the very ethos of professional wrestling. In an industry predicated upon the simulation of competitive combat to ascertain supremacy, the reluctance to deliver decisive conclusions is as confounding as it is counterproductive.

Final Reflections

While Raw succeeds in cultivating anticipation for the forthcoming War Games spectacle, its overreliance on pre-recorded episodes and its chronic aversion to clean finishes preclude it from achieving narrative or artistic excellence. WWE would do well to recall that the essence of compelling storytelling often lies in its simplicity—a victor and a vanquished, a resolution unclouded by artifice. Instead, the company appears content to obfuscate its narratives, serving an audience a mélange of convoluted plotlines and incessant interference.

The Good

1. Damian Priest's Promo Skills Are Finally on the Rise First up, The Good. Damian Priest's promo abilities have made a miraculous turnaround. Up until last night, I was questioning if his charisma stat was set to zero, but he really delivered. Last night was his shining moment; I’m not saying he’s the new Paul Heyman, but he’s finally hit the point where you lean forward to listen, instead of wondering if it's snack time.

2. The Ladies Held It Down Shoutout to the women of Raw, who proved that they’re a force, even if WWE’s storyline writers seem to be getting their cues from daytime soap operas. Damage CTRL reunited, and while we’re not exactly cheering these former “villainous” heels just yet, it's nice to see them back together, wreaking a little havoc. And the main event tag team title match? Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez — a great showcase, even if it felt a bit underserved. Plus, we’ve got the women’s WarGames match coming up. While the story build-up hasn’t exactly been epic, it should still deliver in the ring.

3. The New Day Breakup (But Make It a Soap Opera) The New Day split continues, but subtlety has clearly taken a holiday. Gone are the nuanced tensions, replaced with the melodrama that only pro wrestling can deliver. That said, because these guys have been together forever, it’s hitting harder than your usual break-up script. This one still feels meaningful — unlike the twenty-something other breakups WWE’s running right now. (Seriously, it’s like WWE caught a case of “Breakup Fever” that’s spread faster than a social media trend.)

4. Bloodline Plot Thickens…On Raw? The Bloodline story continues to unfold — on Raw. (Why? Don’t think about it too hard.) The big surprise? Seth Rollins and Bronn Breaker were being recruited. Seth? Makes sense. Bronn? That’s a wild card if I’ve ever seen one. Is this storyline perfect? Not exactly. But with a legacy like the Bloodline, even the shaky moments hit the right emotional beats.

The Bad

1. Bronson Reed Brawl-a-palooza Last night was a great show if you’re into brawls — especially Bronson Reed's. Seriously, this guy has had more brawls this year than your favorite reality TV star has had “breakdowns.” Reed and Seth mixed it up for what feels like the fiftieth time, and it’s getting hard to keep track. I’m all for beef, but how about throwing Reed a victory once in a while? He’s like that bully who can talk tough but couldn’t knock over a house of cards. WWE, let’s get this guy a W before he’s forever the “brawl but no bite” guy.

The Ugly

1. WWE’s Love Affair with Breakups Finally, The Ugly. WWE has fallen head-over-heels for breakups — we’re talking Ross and Rachel-level drama here. Case in point: Judgement Day. It’s been, what, three months since they formed? And already they’re showing cracks in the foundation. It feels like WWE has one recipe to cook up tension, and it’s the “will they, won’t they” breakup storyline. Now, it worked with The Bloodline because it was fresh, unique, and had layers. But now? It's WWE’s only trick in the playbook.

Just the last year alone, we had hints of breakups everywhere. Judgement Day’s on the rocks, Theory and Waller aren’t seeing eye to eye, Bianca and Jade have tension, Nia and Tiffany’s bond is paper-thin, and even The New Day is splintering. It’s like WWE hit copy-paste, and we’re in for every possible combo of “friends turned enemies.” Can we mix it up a bit, please?

Wrapping It Up

So there it is, folks: last night’s Raw in all its ups, downs, and plot twists. At the end of the day, WWE still knows how to get us talking. And hey, as long as they keep bringing the surprises (and maybe lay off the breakups), we’ll keep tuning in. Here's hoping for a little storyline diversity in the weeks to come. After all, wrestling is at its best when it keeps us guessing, not groaning.

The Good: The Bloodline Segment

The Bloodline’s storyline always gets attention, and this week’s segment didn’t disappoint. While the reunion of the Bloodline felt a little rushed, especially considering that elements of the story could have been developed over a few more weeks, it still delivered. Roman Reigns’ limited schedule likely made it difficult to extend the build-up, but despite that, the angle came across as the highlight of the show. The tension and drama around The Bloodline continue to be compelling, and it remains the best part of SmackDown right now.

The Bad: The Women’s Title Situation

The ongoing women’s division storyline feels like it’s running in circles. Nia Jax has shown noticeable improvements in the ring, but the Tiffany storyline is dragging and becoming increasingly frustrating. It feels like WWE is stretching it out unnecessarily, and in doing so, they're neglecting the rest of the talented women on the roster. The division deserves better storytelling and more focus on other women who are equally deserving of spotlight moments.

The Ugly: The Finishes

The same issue continues to plague WWE: terrible finishes. Nearly every match ends with some form of interference or distraction, which only weakens the significance of the outcomes. It’s a shame, because WWE has made strides in many areas since Vince McMahon stepped down, but the constant use of interference in matches continues to undermine the credibility of the product. It’s as if WWE is afraid to have clean finishes, which ultimately devalues the results and leaves fans feeling unsatisfied.

Honorable Mentions: Kevin Owens & DiY

One positive takeaway was the brutal Kevin Owens piledriver on Randy Orton. The angle has potential, and if WWE follows up on it properly, it could lead to some exciting developments. Another honorable mention goes to DiY, who seem to be on the verge of turning heel. A heel turn is exactly what they need right now to elevate their characters, and I’m hoping it’s executed well.

Overall Rating: 7/10

While there were moments of brilliance, SmackDown this week left a lot to be desired in terms of consistency. The good was great, but the bad and ugly elements continue to hold the show back. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing how some of these storylines progress.