As the latest episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown wrapped up, fans were left scratching their heads at the questionable decisions made by the company ahead of Saturday Night’s Main Event. It’s as if the creative team, led by Triple H, took a wrong turn and ended up lost in a maze of missteps. The mistakes were far from trivial, affecting major storylines, a big return, and even an upcoming title match. We’ll look into the four fatal flaws that plagued the final SmackDown before the big show.
Firstly, the mystery opponent angle surrounding Carmelo Hayes and Braun Strowman was a letdown. Fans had been hooked on the mysterytic reveal, expecting a new signee to SmackDown, perhaps even the highly touted Penta El Zero Miedo. However, instead, the surprise was former Universal Champion Braun Strowman, a popular but unsatisfying choice. Why did Triple H opt for Braun over Penta? Perhaps it’s because the latter is still unsigned, hasn’t passed a medical test, or The Game has a different plan in mind. Regrettably, having Braun as the mystery opponent felt like a mistake.
Furthermore, the match itself was a squash, with Braun dominating Carmelo Hayes in a short and brutal fashion. The fans’ displeasure was evident on social media, as they took to the internet to express their discontent. Although there’s a possibility this is part of a larger narrative, with Carmelo ultimately overcoming Braun, for now, the up-and-coming performer suffered an embarrassing defeat. This was a huge miss by Triple H.
Secondly, the Women’s United States Championship Tournament semifinals saw Bayley, a WWE Hall of Famer, fall to Chelsea Green. This surprise outcome stunned many fans, as Bayley is a legendary figure who deserved to advance to the finals. Not only would her presence add depth to the match, but she would also provide a more experienced opponent for Michin. The decision to let Bayley lose clean to Chelsea has left many scratching their heads, and it’s a mistake that may come back to haunt WWE in the long run.
Thirdly, the announcement of Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa at Saturday Night’s Main Event through a pre-tape video package was a misstep. While it’s understandable that Roman’s schedule might limit his availability, a match of this magnitude deserves a face-to-face in-ring interaction, not a generic video package. The lack of suspense and excitement surrounding this important announcement has left fans underwhelmed, and it’s a mistake that may hurt the overall impact of the main event.
Lastly, the final mistake was letting Carmelo Hayes be squashed by Braun Strowman, ultimately underselling his potential and diminishing the excitement surrounding his return. With a short match and a predictable outcome, the hype surrounding Carmelo’s debut was extinguished, leaving fans with nothing to look forward to.
