This week’s Friday Night SmackDown didn’t exactly go as advertised. The advertised match between Lacey Evans and Sasha Banks didn’t even take place. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley was there however to alert Evans of Banks’ no-show.
Although the build-up for Evans being Bayley’s next title opponent was a good thing to see, having an advertised match for a week not take place wasn’t ideal. In fact, it was quite a letdown. With that being said, Evans is really getting over with the crowd as a babyface.
The only match that actually took place was Mandy Rose vs. Alexa Bliss. In something that hasn’t been reported in forever, Rose actually picked up a win. The distraction from Heavy Machinery caused Bliss to take her eye off the match and Rose was able to pick up the pin. It is hard to know where they are going with Otis and Rose, but at least now it is being used for her to win a match.
WINNER: Mandy Rose
Mandy is the clear winner of the week. This is her first singles win since May and she hasn’t won as a tag team since September. Fire & Desire were listed from WWE as potential break out stars for 2020. Although this has just been one win, maybe this will be a turning point. The storyline with Otis is an interesting one to see play out.
WINNER: Lacey Evans
Evans continues to shine as a babyface. They are going complete patriotic with her as well which will certainly win her over at this place and time. If they actually do book her against Bayley for the title at Royal Rumble I would actually like to see her win. This could be the perfect way for Sasha to then get her chance at the title if it wasn’t on Bayley any longer. The promo was a little awkward at times because the timing seemed a bit off, but the message was clear and she is definitely over with the fans.
LOSERS:
It is hard to pick out anyone on the loser side this week. Alexa Bliss lost her match, but that in no way hinders her. She is constantly on the winning end of her matches, so a loss isn’t going to throw her whatsoever. Perhaps the fact that she in general is just being used as a filler for these matches is on the losing end, but again nothing detrimental.
Sasha not being present for her match is a loss, but not really to her. That was more so for the fans not seeing a match that was booked for a week. If by chance her not being there was do to a personal reason then they could have still put on a match with others. I blame the booking on that.
Carmella also was someone who was missing in action. She picked up two wins in a row and now for two weeks in a row she has been missing. For that reason alone she could be on the loser list because her short push racking up wins has been halted.
Whereas I am fine with Lacey vs. Bayley being the obvious next SmackDown Women’s Title match, I still think that Carmella vs. Bayley wrote itself.
What were your thoughts on this week’s SmackDown? Who were your Winners & Losers? Sound off in the comment section below.
