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Is WWE Smackdown Live A Kids’ Show Now?

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Shinsuke Nakamura Rockstar Smackdown

I’ve been a Smackdown guy ever since I started watching wrestling in 2005. I always prefer the blue brand for its upcoming talent and emphasis on in-ring competition over drama regarding “The Authority”. However, I’ve noticed in recent weeks that WWE creative and graphic design departments have been taking some odd liberties with the production of the Tuesday night show.

The introduction of cartoonish screen graphics along with recent promo fixtures seem to point to one thing; Smackdown Live may very well now be WWE’s program for children- as if PG wasn’t enough.

The Graphics

I’m all for effectively using imaging and word art to enhance wrestler personas, but there seems to be no real reason for the odd screen graphics we’ve been seeing on Smackdown each week. Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance was met with “ROCKSTAR” going by in big red letters on the screen in a style akin to a shoddy iMovie edit, and The Usos were accompanied by the animated closure of a jail cell everytime they uttered the words “locked down.”

Both of these instances read as not only weird, but childish. It’s almost as if someone told the writers that nobody knows what a penitentiary is or “how do we let them know that he’s a rockstar without letting Tom Phillips annoy us with his voice?” These seemingly minor reinforcements not only illicit a cringe, but they also make me believe that WWE thinks I’m an idiot and that I need extra attention to understand what they’re trying to say. If your product isn’t engaging, maybe it’s because the characters aren’t engaging, not because there is no written reinforcement on my screen.

The New Day also had their “Don’t you dare be sour” intro put up on our TV screens in bright colors. That may have been characteristic because of who New Day are, but still it felt very unnatural, almost like WWE wanted to brainwash me into singing along.

The Promos

The graphics are something I can deal with. But the promos are absolutely abysmal. I honestly believe that if you walked into the writers room and said to them that they can’t use the words “beat” or “win” or “better” in that night’s Smackdown, they would be stumped. Almost every promo on every episode of Smackdown for the past month has been shallow and dull, like they’re trying to make kids understand what’s going on.

Take the Bobby Roode/Jinder Mahal segment from Smackdown this past week. Jinder comes out and says that he can beat Bobby Roode. Bobby Roode comes out and says Jinder cannot beat him. Jinder claims Roode thinks he’s better than Randy Orton. Roode tells Jinder that he knows he’s at least better than Jinder. Playground tussle ensues.

It’s similar in the long term WWE title picture to a degree. I’m not really seeing any storyline between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura besides Shinsuke telling AJ that he will beat him at WrestleMania. I understand this is a sport surrounding competition, but can we please add some layers to the feuds on Smackdown? It seems that nothing tries to make you think anymore on the Tuesday night show. Nothing comes off as unique and fun anymore in the “I’m better than you” format, we’ve heard it before so many times.

The Verdict for Smackdown

This fairly new problem should be fixed after Fastlane as WrestleMania draws closer. The lackluster, dumbed down promos and the cartoon graphics must stop if the show wants to be taken seriously by a bulk of the audience it attracts (adult males). Children are one demographic, but Smackdown has too much starpower to be wasted on one dimensional storylines and ridiculous branding. Save the show in time for ‘Mania, WWE. Make it an interesting watch by progressing stories and letting the wrestlers speak for themselves.

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Opinion

Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

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Brock Lesnar WWE WrestleMania 42 Retirement

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. 

While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania. 

‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman? 

I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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Opinion

Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

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Penta WWE Intercontinental Championship WrestleMania 42

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month. 

Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while. 

The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev. 

All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet. 

As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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