Kristina
WWE SmackDown’s last two-hour episode was filled with drama, excitement, and questionable decisions. From Cody Rhodes’ challenge to Kevin Owens to Chelsea Green’s entertaining speech, the night had highs and lows. However, concerns about the upcoming three-hour format and confusing storylines left fans wondering about the show’s future.
What We Didn’t Like: Is Three Hours Too Long for SmackDown?
The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was the last one to stick to the usual two-hour format. Starting January 3, 2025, the show will expand to three hours. Many fans are worried about how WWE will keep the longer show interesting.
Adding another hour might help some wrestlers, like Blair Davenport and Giovanni Vinci, get more screen time. But history shows that longer WWE shows often mean more commercials and filler content. Fans still remember how exhausting it was to sit through three-hour episodes of “Raw.”
The concern is that SmackDown has fewer wrestlers than Raw, so keeping viewers entertained for three hours could be tough. Fans fear WWE might focus too much on long promo segments instead of exciting matches. While this change may benefit advertisers, many believe it won’t improve the viewing experience for fans.
What do you think? Can WWE make the extra hour exciting, or will it feel like a drag?
What We Liked: The Six-Woman Tag Match Delivered Excitement
SmackDown opened with an exciting six-woman tag match featuring Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Bayley against Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae. The match was intense, with plenty of high-energy moments.
Before the match, Nia Jax accused Bianca of being involved in an attack on Jade Cargill. She also mocked Tiffany, saying she wasn’t smart enough to plan an attack. This added tension before the fight even started.
The highlight came when Tiffany tried to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase on her partner, Jax. However, Candice stopped her, leading to a distraction that let Naomi pin Candice for the win.
This match pushed two storylines forward. It hinted at possible jealousy and betrayal among the women, especially Tiffany wanting Jax’s title. It also raised questions about who really attacked Jade Cargill. Fans are eager to see how these stories develop in the coming weeks.
Could Tiffany’s briefcase cash-in happen at WrestleMania? Or will WWE surprise us sooner?
What We Didn’t Like: Braun Strowman’s Confusing Storyline
Braun Strowman recently returned from injury, but his current storyline has left fans scratching their heads. On SmackDown, he defeated Austin Theory and then interrupted the main event featuring Carmelo Hayes and Sami Zayn.
Strowman attacked Hayes backstage, dragged him to the stage, and then joined the ring to face off against the new Bloodline. However, the entire segment felt rushed and confusing.
Commentators mentioned Strowman’s history with the Bloodline, but longtime fans know this isn’t accurate. Strowman has faced Roman Reigns before, but that was before the Bloodline storyline even started.
The segment ended with Strowman being beaten down by the Bloodline before Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes came out for the final showdown. Unfortunately, the sudden transitions made the whole segment feel chaotic and unfinished.
Will WWE give Strowman a clearer direction, or will his storyline continue to feel disorganized?
What We Liked: Chelsea Green Shines as Champion
Chelsea Green won the Women’s United States Championship and celebrated in style. She entered with Piper Niven by her side and gave a hilarious “State of the Union” speech.
Green’s character as a self-centered but funny villain worked perfectly. She even called her victory speech the “Green House” address instead of the White House. Her humor and confidence made the segment memorable.
Despite her over-the-top attitude, Green proved she can handle the spotlight. She’s making the new title feel important, which is great for the women’s division.
Green’s performance showed that she understands her character well. Her ability to balance humor with seriousness gives fans something entertaining to watch while respecting the championship.
Could Green’s reign as champion bring new life to the women’s mid-card division?
What We Didn’t Like: Tag Team Confusion
The tag team division faced some head-scratching moments during SmackDown. The Street Profits were tricked by Pretty Deadly into believing Los Garza attacked them. However, viewers already knew Pretty Deadly was lying.
This made the Street Profits look foolish, as their actions didn’t match what the audience already understood. The storyline felt messy and forced, leaving many viewers frustrated.
Later, Motor City Machine Guns approached the Street Profits to remind them they wanted a title shot, even though this was already clear. Instead of moving the story forward, the segment just repeated old information.
WWE could have set up the next tag match in a simpler way without making the Street Profits seem gullible. Fans hope the tag division gets better storytelling in the future.
What We Liked: Cody Rhodes Challenges Kevin Owens
The episode ended on a high note with Cody Rhodes challenging Kevin Owens to a ladder match at the Royal Rumble. The announcement created excitement and gave fans something big to look forward to.
Cody and Owens are both fan favorites, and a ladder match promises to be intense. It’s the kind of high-stakes match that WWE fans love.
With SmackDown expanding to three hours soon, this storyline could help keep viewers interested. Fans are already speculating about who might win and what surprises the match might bring.
Who do you think will come out on top—Cody or Owens?
Thoughts
The last two-hour episode of WWE SmackDown had its ups and downs. Exciting matches and strong character moments like Chelsea Green’s speech kept fans entertained. However, confusing storylines and concerns about the upcoming three-hour format left some viewers worried about the show’s future.
Will SmackDown’s move to three hours lead to more great matches or more filler content? Only time will tell, but fans are hoping WWE finds the right balance.
