The Best Thing In WWE Right Now..? | WWE Smackdown Live, June 6, 2017 Review

Lana-Lina debuts and immediately gets a title match at Money in the Bank, Shinsuke Nakamura
takes on Kevin Owens and is Smackdown’s tag division the best thing in WWE right now?
I’m Oli Davis, and this is the 6th June 2017 edition of Smackdown Live...in about
4 minutes.
Lana-lina Debuts Shane McMahon opened the show introducing
all five women in the ladies’ Money in the Bank match, and then unveiled the prize at
the top of the ladder: a white briefcase with gold trimmings.
Considering WWE’s patchy sexist past, I’m glad it wasn’t a handbag.
After Naomi spoke about how ‘lit’ this match is going to be - whatever that means
- Lana-lina debuted her new gimmick for the first time since moving to Smackdown.
Her sexualised dancer character jarred with the merit-based wrestlers around her, acting
as a throwback to the Diva era, but at least WWE are playing on the juxtaposition - with
the others laughing at Lana-lina as she put herself forward for Money in the Bank.
It’s a shame she’s still using the Russian accent, though.
Tamina, Natalya & Carmella beat Charlotte, Naomi & Becky Lynch
This led into a Backlash rematch between Royal Fire Glow and The Welcoming Committee, to
finally decide which team has the worse name.
The heels came out on top when Lana-lina interfered, pulling Naomi off the apron.
Shane later made Naomi vs Lana-lina for the Women’s title at Money in the Bank, because...land
of opportunity?
AJ Styles beat Dolph Ziggler Now with the ‘Not Hometown’ advantage,
AJ Styles beat Dolph Ziggler in a very good five minute match after losing in Georgia
last week.
Fashion Files: Dumb On Arrival Breezeango are wisely playing with their Fashion
Files concept to prevent it becoming stale - first transitioning from a Law + Order parody
to film noir, and now including other Smackdown wrestlers in the skits.
At first, New Day were filmed in colour, but upon entering Breezeango’s office everything
went black and white - as Big E excellently pointed out.
The New Day have a new case - they want the lowdown on their Money in the Bank opponents,
The Usos.
The segment ended with the best gag of the skits so far, Breezeango giving their final
thoughts through inner monologue, while the New Day stood completely confused.
New Day beat The Colons The New Day then made their Smackdown Live
in-ring debut by beating The Colons Cologne.
The Cologne Colons?
The Colons’ Colon…
Whatever that is, The Usos cut yet another superb promo afterwards.
Jinder Mahal beat Mojo Rawley Mojo Rawley has lost his hype, walking around
backstage glumly pointing out that nothing’s happened for him since winning the Andre the
Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Jinder Mahal, on the other hand - the guy he beat in that match - now gets epic celebrations
wherever he goes and is WWE Champion.
Shane put them both in a match where if Mojo won, he’d be added to the men’s Money
in the Bank match.
Despite wearing almost blinding lime green trunks, Jinder beat him in five minutes after
raking Mojo’s eyes.
Shinsuke Nakamura beat Kevin Owens Why Sami Zayn continues to do backstage interview
is beyond me, as Baron Corbin attacks him from behind literally every time.
As a result, The Lone Wolf replaced Sami on commentary for the main event, which meant
Phillips, JBL and Saxton just spoke to Corbin for the entire match rather than calling the
action in the ring.
Kevin Owens vs Shinsuke Nakamura was rather underwhelming considering the talents of both
men, and despite beating KO for the third time in as many weeks, Nakamura is already
starting to feel like just another guy.
At least he isn’t being subject to 50/50 booking, though.
Corbin took out Shinsuke after the match.
So that was this week’s Smackdown Live in about 4 minutes, here’s the usual ratings
recap from top to bottom: SmackDamn, Smacktastic, Smack Bang In The Middle, Ellsworthy and Raw.
I’ll reveal my score very shortly, but first, vote in the poll above my head to give it
your own rating.
I’ll announce the results in tomorrow’s WrestleTalk News.
The tag team division continues not just to be the best thing on Smackdown, but arguably
on WWE’s two main brands.
The Usos and Breezeango are doing the best work of the careers, while New Day are a solid
act for them to play off.
It’s a testament to the division’s new found depth that American Alpha can just be
left on the sidelines.
I’m curious to see how Lana-lina’s character is handled in the Women’s Revolution, and
the AJ/Ziggler match was great, but very little stood out in the rest of the show.
This week’s Smackdown is Smack Bang in the Middle.
Two ex-TNA stars have reportedly signed with WWE!
And Raw just teased another classic TNA feud - Samoa Joe vs Kurt Angle.
Click the videos to the left to watch my Raw review, press subscribe and support WrestleTalk
on Patreon.
I’ve been Oli Davis and that was wrestling.

The Best Thing In WWE Right Now..? | WWE Smackdown Live, June 6, 2017 Review

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