Isenberg Reacts: WWE Smackdown Live “Surprise, Surprise…Maaaaan”

July 26, 2017

IThe Return of Jericho

(Photo credit: Dean Fardell / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Much to the pleasant surprise of EVERYONE, Chris Jericho returned to WWE on Smackdown Live and got his rematch against Kevin Owens for the United States Championship. The only caveat is that AJ Styles was looking for one of his own. Kevin Owens would defend it against both in the main event, something Shane McMahon created at the beginning of the night.

Fast forward to the main event and it was really good. Jericho, who is coming back from a few months off, kept pace and was the lynch pin in an explosion from Styles and Owens. Superkick, Pele Kick and a spinning heel kick were executed in succession by all three men. As they were all down, Jericho attempted a Lionsault and connected. The offense did not stop in this solid 15 minute main event, when Owens planted Jericho with a Pop-up Powerbomb and a devastating Frog Splash. As he went for the pin, Styles threw him out of the ring and stole the United States Championship back, only 48 hours after losing it at WWE Battleground.

I do not love the idea of a title change this many times, but it made sense to have Jericho invoke his rematch clause and give us an excellent Triple Threat Match. Also, there was no DQ or count-out, which happens too much on RAW and Smackdown Live. Those two factors are huge in my rating because the match was excellent. It was booked strategically and continues a feud that has been hot since it started. Does this mean Jericho is back for good or is he used this one time to help transition into another United States Championship match between Kevin Owens and AJ Styles. I am just happy that this was an actual surprised and not ruined by many spoilers. Good stuff from Jericho, as always.

WZ 8

Charlotte and Becky Lynch defeat Lana and Tamina

Here is the good about Lana: she gets a reaction, the crowd loves her (Even though they chant you can’t wrestle) and she is still very fresh to the audience from a potential superstar standpoint. The negative is always going to be those stupid chants, but they do ring true. The fans will cheer and boo her in a matter of seconds, but a reaction is what she gets. Look at Tamina, who is a decent wrestler but gets no crowd reaction at all and the fans could care less. Lana is cared about, even if it is in a negative way at times.

Charlotte and Becky win in underwhelming fashion. The match was nothing special and these two women have empty date cards for SummerSlam. What about a RAW vs. Smackdown Live Women’s Tag Team Match? Challenge Sasha and an opponent of her choice. Maybe she chooses Nia Jax? Maybe Asuka?

WZ 4

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.