With another week of WWE television behind us, here’s the top 5 performances of the week.
WWE offers up plenty of programming over the course of a week. Even when there’s no pay per view, there’s at least seven hours of original programming. With Raw and SmackDown Live on USA, plus 205 Live and NXT on the WWE Network, it’s a lot to focus on at times.
But for those of us who can make it through the marathon, there’s usually quite a bit to keep our interest. Regardless of what some people say about the quality of programming, as far as in-ring talent goes this is one of the golden periods for WWE. Sure, storylines may be stale, boring, and ridiculous – even nonsensical – but the matches themselves are rarely terrible across the board.
To try and keep track of who stood out on a week to week basis, here at Daily DDT we’ll be taking a look at the top five performers in a given week. Since WWE is a wrestling company (despite what Vince McMahon may try and tell us), we’re going to focus on wrestling performances. After all, you can’t have a wrestling show without wrestling, right?
So, in no particular order, here is the best of the best of this past week of WWE action.
5. The Usos/The New Day
Hey, we had a pay per view this week! So even though these two tag teams didn’t compete on SmackDown Live this past week, they still had the best match of the night at Hell in a Cell, in my opinion. So if that doesn’t warrant inclusion somewhere in this list, I don’t know what will.
For weeks – months, even – the Usos and New Day have basically run the tag team division on SmackDown Live. The SmackDown Tag Team Championships have also been almost exclusive property of these two teams. I’m sure some of the other teams are starting to wonder when – or if – their time will come. But for now, it’s all Usos and New Day.
And at Hell in a Cell, the squads put on possibly their best match to date. Inside the demonic structure, they pulled out literally all the stops. Xavier Woods bought out the nearest discount music store for trombones, a cow bell, and a gong, all which put a hurt on Jimmy and Jey Uso. Big E practically concussed himself with a spear through the ropes into the cage wall. The Usos broke out handcuffs and kendo sticks. It was wild.
Mixed in with all the weaponry was an exciting, show stealing match. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see that this was great. For my money, it was a touch better than the Shane McMahon-Kevin Owens main event. It was a classic case of putting your best foot forward.
4. Kalisto
What a twenty four hour period Kalisto had this week in WWE. First, on Raw, his scheduled Cruiserweight Championship match against Enzo Amore was bumped up. Instead of taking place at TLC, it happened right then and there (though that may not have been the original plan).
With the rest of the 205 Live roster surrounding the ring, Kalisto took on the champ in a Lumberjack Match. It was a back and forth contest, up until the lumberjacks decided to get involved (boy, that always happens, doesn’t it?). Enzo had taken a few liberties on the outside of the ring, so Mustafa Ali got some payback by tripping Enzo up.
The momentary distraction was enough for Kalisto to capitalize, and he walked out of Raw as the new Cruiserweight Champion. Enzo, understandably perturbed, would take his frustration out on the new champ the next night on 205 Live. The Realest Guy recruited Ariya Daivari to help him out, and the two attacked The Lucha Dragon at the top of the show.
In the main event, Kalisto teamed with Ali to get some retribution. Another Salida del Sol led to another victory for Kalisto, this time pinning Daivari as Enzo helplessly watched on. Kalisto is already set to defend the title against Enzo at TLC next weekend, but who knows what will happen in between?
3. Emma
With Mickie James busy challenging Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship, and Nia Jax very much in the middle of that rivalry, there was a gaping hole in the TLC card. Everyone knew Asuka was set to make her debut at the event, but she had no opponent. So nearly the entire Raw Women’s Division cornered GM Kurt Angle backstage to see what his plans for the show were.
With five superstars ready for action all stating their cases for the spot to lose to Asuka, Angle made the only possible decision – let them all fight for it. He booked a fatal five way elimination match for later in the night, pitting Bayley, Sasha Banks, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, and Emma against one another.
Once the match got under way, business picked up, as Jim Ross would say. Bayley got a quick elimination on Dana Brooke, but was swiftly eliminated herself by Alicia Fox. All the while, Emma did her best to stay out of the fray. You gotta be in it to win it, so why risk elimination by getting involved unless you need to?
Emma would team up with Fox to try and take out Sasha, but – much like the week before – betrayed her not long after. Realizing she was not going to succeed in her plan, Emma again bailed on the action. After waiting for Sasha to eliminate Fox, Emma ran back in to get a quick pin on Sasha and win the match.
Related Story: Could Emma Upset Asuka at TLC?
Sometimes good wrestling is just smart wrestling – Emma proved herself to be the smartest competitor in the match, and now she’s set for the biggest loss of her WWE career against Asuka.
2. Baron Corbin
If Emma made the list this week by wrestling smarter than her opponents, then Corbin also needs to be included. He’s had his ups and downs in recent weeks, but at Hell in a Cell, he showed he’s a student of the game.
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During the HIAC Kickoff Show, Tye Dillinger appealed to Daniel Bryan’s love of chanting to get himself added to the United States Championship match. So instead of a singles match between Corbin and champ AJ Styles, we had a good old fashioned triple threat match. Anyone watching should have been able to predict the ending, but since it was ultimately the right decision it’s okay.
As the three competitors put on a really good triple threat match, Styles eventually hit Dillinger with the Phenomenal Forearm. However, before he was able to go for a pin, Corbin came from out of nowhere to toss Styles away and make the pin himself. Knowing to bide his time in a triple threat match basically won Corbin his first championship in WWE.
Two nights later on SmackDown Live, Styles invoked his rematch clause, but The Lone Wolf showed he was up for the challenge in a singles match, as well. He withstood a flurry of offense from AJ, but was able to use his strength advantage to put a beating on him right back. An End of Days later, and Corbin retained before cutting an instant classic promo in the ring post-match. Looking forward to seeing Baron paddle a boat down a river of tears, to be honest…
1. Kevin Owens
As with the New Day and The Usos, there wasn’t any way I could justify leaving Kevin Owens off the list. Sure, watching the Hell in a Cell main event was terrifying beyond belief, but it’s October! That’s what we’re supposed to be doing this month – scaring ourselves silly and eating pumpkin stuff.
What made Owens one of the tops of the week was his disregard for the well being of his opponent (in a kayfabe sense, of course). KO hates Shane McMahon so much that he will risk his own health and safety to punish the SmackDown Commissioner. This led to much of the match taking place not only inside the cell, but outside – and on top.
That’s where the really good stuff – and terrifying stuff – happened. It was a little depressing watching Shane grip every single body part whenever Owens hit him, but still. The pop up powerbomb on the roof of the cage was one of the best moments of the night.
Of course, the match ended due to Shane’s hubris – trying to always do that one big move because it’s what the people love, even if he’s got the match won. Sami Zayn felt the same way, and actually came out to save Owens from that assault. So not only did Owens have a great performance in the match itself, but the stage is set for a great story with the reunion of KO and Zayn.
Next: 25 Greatest WWE Entrance Themes of All Time
Do you agree with our top in-ring performers of the past week? Sound off below!