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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (12/4)

Bryan SmackDown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The December 4th, 2018 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:

Asuka Claimed That She Would Have Defeated Ronda Rousey

Photo Credit: WWE.com

SmackDown kicked off with a contract signing for the Triple Threat TLC match. Becky Lynch stated that she is going to do anything it takes to keep her title at TLC. Lynch accused Charlotte of being handed another opportunity. Flair responded that she picked up the ball that Becky dropped and beat the hell out of Ronda Rousey.

Asuka interrupted and said that Becky Lynch has already defeated Charlotte but has never beat her. Asuka claimed that Becky chose wrong at Survivor Series and that she would have defeated Rousey. Charlotte brought up beating Asuka at WrestleMania. Lynch said that neither of them could beat Rousey and they won’t beat her at TLC.

Becky signed the contract and left the ring as Flair vowed to finish Asuka at TLC. Charlotte and Asuka signed the contract and then Asuka challenged Flair to a fight. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville interrupted and complained about not getting any opportunities from SmackDown GM Paige. Rose noted that Flair lost at Survivor Series and Deville claimed Asuka winning last week’s Battle Royal was a fluke.

Charlotte and Asuka battled Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville in a tag match. Charlotte was showing off and strutting around after hitting Rose and Deville with a Crossbody. Becky Lynch came back down the entrance ramp to a great reaction and took a seat ringside for the rest of the match. During the match, Charlotte booted Asuka off the ring apron. Asuka responded with a sliding knee to Flair’s face and Deville quickly pinned Charlotte for the victory. It was later announced that Charlotte will square off against Asuka on next week’s episode of SmackDown.

This is easily the match I am looking forward to the most at next Sunday’s TLC PPV and I think it should be the main event. The contract signing to start off the show was great and every Superstar got in some good lines. It is good to see Asuka back in a relevant storyline on WWE television.

SmackDown’s Tag Team Division Needs A Shake-Up

Cesaro, Jey Uso, and Xavier Woods battled in a Triple Threat match on this week’s episode of SmackDown. Kofi Kingston, Big E, Sheamus, and Jimmy Uso were ringside during the match. During the match, Cesaro showed off his insane power by swinging Jey while holding up Woods at the same time.

Cesaro followed that up by launching Woods out of the ring. Jey Uso immediately hit Cesaro with a Superkick for the pinfall victory. After the match, the three times argued in the ring. The Bar will defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against New Day and The Usos at WWE TLC. The Bar will face The Usos next week in a rap battle hosted by New Day.

All three of these teams have great chemistry with each other in the ring. I expect the Triple Threat match at TLC to be a great match. Having said that, I am incredibly bored with watching these same three teams on SmackDown every week. I simply do not care which team wins at TLC. It would be nice to see some other teams incorporated into the show following the PPV.

The New Daniel Bryan Is Better Than You

“The New” Daniel Bryan joined Miz TV on SmackDown. Earlier in the evening, The Miz complained about having to interview him to SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon. The Miz is still insisting that they are a tag team, even though Shane keeps informing him that they are not.

The Miz claimed that he was right all along and that Bryan finally realized that it is okay to cheat to win. Bryan said that he realized that he doesn’t care about these people in the crowd and that he has allowed his dreams to take control.

Bryan stated that he was reading books from Alexander Hamilton and said the word “fickle” over and over. The crowd chanted along and Bryan called them sheep. Bryan quoted Hamilton: “giving power to the mindless masses is dangerous, both to the individual and society”.

Daniel Bryan went on a rant about pollution and how the people in the crowd harm the earth every single day, yet people are mad about him kicking one man in the groin on one day. The Miz demanded that Bryan answer if he is WWE Champion because he listened to what he said. Bryan answered “yes” and “no” and claimed that it didn’t matter.

AJ Styles joined the party and marched to the ring as Bryan shouted “fickle!” at the crowd. Daniel shoved The Miz into AJ and tried to escape. Styles caught him and brought him into the ring. The Miz snuck up behind Styles and hit him with the Skull Crushing Finale as Bryan smiled on the entrance ramp.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1070138598408675328

I was unsure of “The New” Daniel Bryan but after tonight I am sold. He has completely reinvented himself as a pompous and unbearable heel. I find him shouting “fickle!” at people to be hilarious as well.

Samoa Joe Wants Everyone To Drink Responsibly

Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy renewed their rivalry on tonight’s episode of SmackDown. Orton controlled the majority of the match and hit Jeff with a DDT while he was on the ropes. Orton geared up for the RKO but Jeff blocked it and connected with the Twist of Fate. Hardy made his way to the top rope but Orton rolled out of the ring. Jeff slammed Orton on top of the table and went back up to the top rope.

Samoa Joe appeared on the jumbotron from a bar and distracted Jeff Hardy. Orton capitalized on the distraction and planted Jeff with an RKO for the victory. Joe once again appeared on the screen and warned the WWE Universe about the dangers of excess. Joe said that moderation is a good thing. Joe added that the choice is clear and to drink responsibly. Joe then raised his glass of beer to Hardy and said “cheers” to end the segment.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1070144036583858177

Joe is excellent in the ring and his promos are always entertaining. Hardy has had substance abuse issues in the past so Joe using that to get under Jeff’s skin is just great. I think that Joe has everything it takes to be a heel champion but WWE always has him coming up short in his feuds. This will be a midcard match at TLC but I am really looking forward to it.

Daniel Bryan Brutally Attacked AJ Styles

The Miz faced AJ Styles in the main event of the show. Daniel Bryan joined commentary for the match. The match started out back and forth as Bryan called Byron Saxton a terrible person for the type of meat he consumes.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1070147603097051136

Styles knocked Miz to the outside and hit him with a Crossbody off the apron. Daniel Bryan approached AJ and extended his hand. The Miz used the distraction and slammed AJ into the steel steps. Back in the ring, The Miz hit Styles with the Skull Crushing Finale but AJ kicked out. Bryan tried to interfere while the referee was distracted but AJ booted him away. Styles then locked in the Calf Crusher on Miz for the submission victory.

After the match, Bryan attacked Styles from behind and hit him with a chop block. Bryan slammed AJ’s knee into the ring post several times and then rolled AJ back into the ring. Daniel applied the Heel Hook and Styles screamed in agony as WWE officials ran to the ring to break it up. Bryan stomped on AJ’s face several times as the crowd loudly booed.

Daniel posed on the announce table as the announcer said: “here is your WWE Champion, the new Daniel Bryan”. Bryan grabbed the microphone once again and shouted that the crowd was fickle before getting Styles in the Heel Hook once again as SmackDown went off the air.

I was waiting for the intensity of this feud to pick up and it happened tonight. Bryan vs. Styles could easily steal the show at WWE TLC. It is pretty impressive how Daniel Bryan has the entire crowd booing him so quickly. After another terrible episode of RAW last night, this week’s episode of SmackDown was refreshing. I pretty much enjoyed everything on tonight’s show and most of the matches I am looking forward to at WWE TLC are from the SmackDown brand.

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