Welcome to the Smackdown Review for December 18, 2018 For both this and Raw, I will go over what the big talking points were, pick the match of the night, and look ahead to the next show
Talking Points
Change Does Not Stop
It seems that Vince McMahon was not content to just shake up Raw. The Boss appeared on Smackdown and got into the war between Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Askua. One of the things he promised last night happened here, as there is no longer an automatic rematch for a champion if they lose the belt. This is a welcome change as it keeps things moving.
Madness
Lost in the shuffle on the blue brand has been Sanity, who have not been seen much since their arrival a few months back. That seems to have changed as they attacked both the Usos and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson during a match. Sanity needs to be a world beater and this is a positive first step in that direction.
War of Words
Two Feuds got more interesting last night. Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura both said the other was not worthy to be a US Champion. Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy met in the ring, where it was Hardy who got in the last word. In the modern WWE, this type of slow build is much better then just putting people together. Let it simmer and boil over when the time is right
Match of the Night
Daniel Bryan and Cien Almas vs. Mustafa Ali and AJ Styles (Styles and Ali win by pinfall)
Given the amount of talent in the ring, there was absolutetly no way that this match would not be great. It also set up some intresting future matches, with any of the four squaring off. The addition of Ali is a loss for 205 live, but it is the blue brand’s gain. This could be the start of a new leader on top of the mountain.
Conclusion
Askua beat Naomi. The Miz and Mandy Rose beat Carmella and R-Truth.
