WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES (10/20): L.A. Knight-Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso takes a step foward, Escobar vs. Ford, John Cena’s retirement tease, Iyo vs. Charlotte

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HITS

Opening Segment: Minor Hit

I give this a lesser Hit, based on the power of both Pau Heyman and L.A. Knight to control the crowd. To the naysayers, yes Knight flubbed a couple of lines and some didn’t make the most sense, but as long as the fans in attendance respond positively, who cares? For Knight, he’s often compared to as a cross of Steve Austin and The Rock and I think he would benefit from adopting Austin’s more methodical delivery, than the rapid nature of The Rock. If he slowed it down a bit, I think it would add fluidity to his delivery.

Jimmy Uso: Hit

Another week, another step forward in the character of Jimmy Uso. This version of him just resonates with me! He’s goofy and idiotic, at times and to this viewer, it just works. He comes across as a kid that tries way too hard to be cool to fit in with the popular crowd. This is the most invested in Jimmy as I have even been.

Santos Esobar vs. Montez Ford: Hit

With these two guys, it was never in doubt that the match quality would be great. As much as I hate to see Esobar lose again, I know it’s character development for The Profits (but, I would love to see them lose their old theme music). I think with The Survivor Series coming up, an old fashioned Survivor Series match up with Lashey & Co. vs. The LWO could be fun (would love to see their fourth member be Carmelo Hayes).

Pretty Deadly Vignette: Hit

Get used to seeing them in the Hit portion of this column: in my eyes, they are gold both in the ring and out of the ring.

Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre: Hit

Please hurry back! I love this pairing and I love the added element of a curse – it fits their characters perfectly. Holey, yes…but, who hasn’t suspended disbelief during a wrestling storyline!

Logan Paul: Hit

I detest Logan Paul, but in the way I’m meant to. When they tried to push him in a more babyface role, it just didn’t work, because the guy is so unlikeable! Added to his wormy, condescending personality that he IS extremely talented in the ring, he’s the perfect embodiment of a wrestling heel. I actually wouldn’t mind him having a run with the U.S. Championship.

MISSES

John Cena: Miss

I’ve grown tired of the somber “possibility of retirement” speeches. Nice to acknowledge the losing streak, but having it lead to a minor face off not resulting in a match, seemed like a massive let down. The Uso Brothers scrapping feels like already travelled ground, but with the character development from both, it does add a bit of freshness.

Cameron Grimes & Dragon Lee vs. A-Town Down Under: Miss

Wow, how the Cameron Grimes stock has fallen. He seemed, at one point, on an upwards trajectory and then faded away, only to return in a weird feud teaming with Theory and Waller. This just felt like filler and maybe if they would move Grimes back to being a heel, he could reinvent himself from the “good ol’ country boy” to a more serious competitor, as he is very good in the ring.

Io Sky vs. Charlotte Flair: Miss

This Miss is not for match quality, because the match was fine, but rather than I could care less of Charlotte Flair ever receives another title match… ever. Every time she leaves and comes back, she ascends to the top of the ladder. There are so many title defenses that Io could have, but it always seems to run back to the same people, specifically Flair and Belair in this instance. I like Flair as a performer, as I do with Belair, but both of their characters seem flat and stagnant. As for Damage Control, it seems their time has come and gone. I love Dakota Kai and I hope when she recovers, she ventures out on her own. Bayley is another who could use an overhaul.

OR CHECK THIS OUT AT PROWRESTLING.NET: WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (10/20): Barnett’s review of Iyo Sky vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women’s Championship, Santos Escobar vs. Montez Ford, U.S. Champion Rey Mysterio and Logan Paul