WWE SmackDown Smacks/Downs: What a tone-deaf opener

Smack: Deville impresses even without a victory

Smack and Down: that Otis-Rose segment was…something…

I’ve praised Deville’s growth as a character the past few weeks, noting her in-ring work has also improved. Deville continued to show that growth in her pre-match promo and her match with Lacey Evans last night.

Speaking of Evans, that wasn’t a very kind thing to do in shoving Deville down from behind as Deville was giving her promo. That wasn’t what a “role model” would do, right? How classy.

Evans’ rushed push last summer did nothing to help her with many considering she just wasn’t ready for that push (and hurt further by inconsistent face/heel booking). However, last night’s match between her and Deville showed just how much both have improved.

Their physical and grappling exchanges were more crisp and sharp than they’ve been in the past. Laying the foundation of Evans as a former amateur wrestler helped me buy into the opening moments of the match as Evans invited Deville (who has an MMA background) start the match on the mat.

Their Twitter exchanges and backstage interaction also helped set the context for both competitors ignoring the referee’s count to continue to beat each other on the outside. Evans, staying true to her face character (for now), sought to restart the match, but Deville, playing the methodical heel, responded by saying, “I’ll fight you on my time, blondie.”

(Also, props to Deville on her ring gear. It looks more refined and defined, and more in-tune with her current character.)

It looks like this rivalry may be make-or-break for both competitors, regardless of who emerges victorious. If last night was any indication, they’ll both emerge from this feud elevated.

As we turn to the other half of the Deville/Ziggler-Rose/Otis quartet, well…have any of you seen Fast Times at Ridgemont High?

If you haven’t (I mean, it’s from 1982), then the extended segment’s parody may have escaped you. I guess it was entertaining enough?

I mean, I did laugh, but were they laughs of humor or laughs of absurdity? Both?

I have said Otis is hamming it up too much for me, and having a crowd would really help him understand if he’s doing too much. Last night, maybe because of the beauty of post-editing, he still came off as humorous without being goofy. Of course, most of the segment took place in Rose’s dream of what she thought of Otis, so that may have diluted his goofiness a bit.

The biggest positive? The extreme chemistry shown between the two. It doesn’t seem forced, and they both look like they’re enjoying themselves.

However, after years of stressing Rose’s background as a fitness competitor and serious athlete (outside of, you know, the softcore porn entrance), we now have a sudden twist in disposition to comedy character. Maybe this is required when paired with Otis. It still doesn’t make it any less jarring, though they tried to save it a bit by still portraying her as sexy.

The qualm I have with the segment is we don’t really know what’s to come for the two. Do they support each other’s careers as pseudo-managers during matches? Does Rose play manager to Otis as he looks for the best time to utilize his Money in the Bank contract?

Besides Braun Strowman (whose brief appearance in the opening segment was one of his better acting moments), who might Otis target? What about Rose?

I’m sure we’ll receive some follow-up in the coming weeks (hopefully next week), but I also don’t want anything rushed just to have either or both on the BackLash card.

With BackLash a mere two weeks away, it looks like the card will consist of Strowman defending the Universal Championship against The Miz and John Morrison; The New Day vs. The Forgotten Sons for the Tag Team Championship; and Deville vs. Evans, definitively, for SmackDown. Remember, Bryan vs. Styles happens the SmackDown before the PPV on Jun. 12.

After next week’s events, we should have more clarity as to if Bayley will defend the Women’s Championship and against whom and if there are any other mini-feuds that might be added (like Gable vs. Cesaro/Nakamura or Sheamus vs. Jey Uso).

Until then, stay safe everyone! See you next week!