The contrast between Raw and SmackDown is often staggering. In recent weeks, it has only become more shocking that both brands belong to the same company. How can SmackDown’s Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, exist in the same WWE lore which sees zombies involved in matches on Raw? How can the rise of Bianca Belair as one of the company’s most legitimate, new stars belong to the same WWE Universe which sees Alexa Bliss attacking Shayna Baszler with voodoo magic? SmackDown creative has been doing an excellent job (certainly in comparison to Raw) with building its younger and newer stars in recent months. Let us take a look at just some of the names who have been booked more prominently on SmackDown lately.
Dominik Mysterio and the Win Over Robert Roode
Whether you love or hate him, there is no denying Dominik Mysterio‘s role in the future of the WWE. He only recently turned 24 years old and is being carefully positioned and developed for greater things. Yes, he requires some work – but who better to work with than his father, Rey Mysterio? Despite how green he may appear right now, he has all the potential in the world to develop into a top star within the company and beyond. All he needs is time; patience and continued learning on the job. The big win over Robert Roode this week – an absolute veteran of the game – shows that there is desire for Mysterio to become a solo star down the road. For now, he need continue working tag matches with his old man and further establishing himself so that, one day, when the inevitable Mysterio vs Mysterio feud comes, he’ll be ready to properly wow the audience at last.
Big E and the Overdue Solo Run
One of the high-spots of SmackDown over the past six months has been the gradual ascent of Big E. This is a star with all the potential in the world – one who was, if rumors are to be believed, almost positioned to be the “Face of the WWE” in the 2010s. Instead, he became the over-excited muscle of The New Day and history was made. On SmackDown, he is becoming so much more. Now that he is finally enduring the solo run he is worthy of – that his potential demands – he has the opportunity to eventually challenge (and topple) the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Should Big E continue carving out his path and establishing himself as a legitimate solo star, that might just happen.
Bianca Belair and the Rightful SmackDown Women’s Champion
Bianca Belair was always the bridesmaid of the NXT Women’s Division. She was unfortunate to be a member of that division during the time of the two most dominant NXT Women’s Champions in history – Asuka and Shayna Baszler. Since arriving on SmackDown, her shortcomings have been forgotten. Already this year, she has overcome Bayley – one of the absolute best in the world – multiple times; won the Women’s Royal Rumble in a star-making performance and was a part of the main event during Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 – where she overcame the odds to defeat Sasha Banks – potentially the best at what she does – for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. A year ago, she wasn’t even on the main roster. Right now, she is one of the biggest stars in the company and a major part of SmackDown each and every week. Now she only need to work towards establishing herself as one of the greatest SmackDown Women’s Champions of all time.
Aleister Black and the Return to Prominence
Aleister Black has been one of the unfortunate casualties of the NXT call-ups in recent years. Initially pushed strong during the days where Paul Heyman – a reported fan of Black – was on creative, he has since had an eye gouged out; has endured unjust losing streaks and has been kept off WWE television for months on end with seemingly no explanation. This week, he returned to cost Big E his chance at reclaiming the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Apollo Crews and it looks as though we finally may get the renewed, properly booked antagonistic version of Aleister Black who could be a great and vital asset to SmackDown.
Apollo Crews and the Intercontinental Championship
Apollo Crews is without any doubt one of the most talented performers in the company. Yet for years, presumably because of his height – as well as a premature call-up from NXT in 2016 – Crews has been misplaced on the WWE main roster. He has spent much of the past five years working as an over-talented enhancement talent; was a part of the less-than-interesting Titus Worldwide faction and was, frankly, booked as a typically bland, smiling babyface who did not seem to care that he lost so much. In 2020, with thanks to Heyman (again a fan) on creative, he captured the United States Championship – though he was still the same, bland character. Since moving to SmackDown, turning heel and becoming the “Nigerian Prince”, he has established himself as an important part of the brand as one its primary heels.
The Usos and the Rebellion Against the Tribal Chief
It feels odd to finish on two performers who have been on WWE TV for a decade, but it must be done. Despite their longevity and arguable status as the best tag team in the world, we have never had solo runs for either of The Usos (Jimmy or Jey) until the past six months. In a way, they are like two new additions to the brand – arriving from one veteran tag team. Jey was initially the protagonist in the story against Roman Reigns; the WWE Universe’s last hope to end the tyrannical despotism of SmackDown’s Head of the Table. He failed in his quest, sure, but he has continued to become a large part of the show as “Main Event” Jey Uso – Roman’s pacified, though fiery lackey. Jimmy Uso is now in the role Jey once occupied – the last revolutionary hope against the evil tyrant. Whereas he will likely fall to his older cousin, he, too, will enjoy an excellent, enjoyable solo run guaranteed to endear him to the audience before his inevitable falling in line.
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