WWE SmackDown Grades: The Shakeup Concludes With A Bang
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4. Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin
The superstar shakeup wouldn’t take long to affect SmackDown last night after greatly affecting Raw the night before. And as it turns out, one of the biggest takeaways from Monday night would also make a big impact on Tuesday night.
The now singles competitor Shelton Benjamin was cutting a promo in the ring and said how he doesn’t need his former tag team partner Chad Gable that’s now on the red brand. Benjamin said he was going to get some big-time competition, and then Randy Orton began walking down to the ring. However, The Viper wouldn’t get his hands on Benjamin.
That right went to the new United States Champion and the newest member of SmackDown, Jeff Hardy. Hardy and Benjamin took part in a very solid match despite it not being very long. The two veterans broke out a lot of impressive action before Hardy got the win in a match that was a bit of a time travel back to the mid-2000’s.
Hardy on the blue brand is a big get for the show and should give Hardy another chance at a singles run in the WWE. It probably won’t end up like the singles run he had around 2008 or 2009, but even now at 40 years old, Hardy can still go and produce at a high level. That will be on display again when he defends his title against new Raw superstar Jinder Mahal at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
The Charismatic Enigma is back on the brand where he became a main event star about a decade ago and last night’s debut was an impressive one.