5 Takeaways From SmackdownLive - 7/24/18
This is my series, simply known as "5 Takeaways", where I will share my personal main talking points coming out of Raw and SmackdownLive.
These are all my opinion, so I may miss a nugget or two. If you have something to add to my list, or a list of your own, feel free to share in the comment section below!
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Rusev Day is On Borrowed Time
Well, it seems all but official now. After inadvertently costing Rusev his match against Andrade Almas, it would seem as though it's simply a matter of time before Aiden English is booted out of Rusev Day. Lana isn't necessarily safe either, as Rusev considered the possibility of neither one being "good for him".
I'm a bit disappointed with this direction. Personally, I feel like the story should be centered around the fantastic match these two had, and the fight between Zelina Vega and Lana. A two on two feud would be excellent, and Rusev Day is much too great for WWE to break up at this point.
Tag Team Tournament To Face Bludgeon Brothers
After defeating Team Hell No at Extreme Rules and putting Kane out of action, the Bludgeon Brothers are in need of new challengers. It was announced that a tag team tournament would take place, with the winners being the #1 contenders for the titles.
The New Day defeated Sanity in the first match, moving on to face either The Usos or The Bar - whoever wins next week's matchup. I think this was a missed opportunity for Sanity, as their only win on the main roster so far was basically erased with their loss this week (when there were actual stakes on the line).
Becky Lynch Earns A Title Match
Lynch has been on an absolute roll as of late, and it finally seems to be paying off. After making the Smackdown Women's champion Carmella submit, she has earned a title match set for Summerslam.
Anyone who has been reading my Smackdown Takeaways knows how much of a Becky Lynch fan I am, and this is really exciting to me. I do think that something will happen with James Ellsworth (despite him being "fired") but that could be equalized by Asuka. Who knows, maybe she beats Ellsworth again and earns her way into the match as well, setting up a triple threat for the title at the next pay-per-view.
Daniel Bryan vs The Miz A Virtual Lock For Summerslam?
An incredible feud that has been years in the making, The Miz and Daniel Bryan have a personal rivalry that is deeper than anything we've seen in years. I'm not going to go in-depth on it here, but this is absolutely a Wrestlemania-worthy match.
With the interactions between each other lately, it seems as though these two will finally meet one on one at Summerslam. Obviously nothing is official yet, but the fact that these two haven't had any sort of story with anybody else makes me believe this is leading to their highly anticipated showdown at Summerslam.
Who will win the tag team tournament and head to Summerslam?
Samoa Joe Challenges Styles
This is what we were waiting for! Samoa Joe comes out and chokes out AJ Styles before signing the contract the WWE already put his signature on, to make this match official. I know Lesnar/Reigns will main event Summerslam, but I'd much rather see this one go on last.
Joe is such an intimidating person, Styles is great all around, and both men are tremendous in the ring. I'm much more excited about this than I am about any other match scheduled for Summerslam. This is nearly guaranteed to be match of the night, and is already getting personal.