WWE is leaning *hard* into the nostalgia play this week, and frankly, it’s a bit… calculated. The omnipresent shadow of John Cena’s final match is dominating everything, even overshadowing potentially compelling storylines like the Cody Rhodes/Oba Femi dynamic. It’s a smart move for ratings, of course, but it feels less like a genuine celebration of a legend and more like a strategic attempt to boost Peacock subscriptions for Saturday Night’s Main Event.
- The Cody Rhodes/Drew McIntyre feud is being used, almost cynically, to elevate newer talent like Oba Femi.
- Jade Cargill’s aggressive turn is a welcome injection of genuine heat, but feels somewhat disconnected from the broader Cena narrative.
- The return of the Wyatt Sicks, while initially popping with the crowd, ultimately landed with a thud due to a weak promo.
Speaking of Rhodes, his dismissive attitude towards McIntyre – even crumpling up the legal paperwork – is classic heel behavior, but feels…off. It’s a tactic to generate heat, sure, but it risks making Cody look unsympathetic. The introduction of Oba Femi as the “future” is a predictable, yet effective, way to position a rising star. The mirroring of Cena’s famous line is a blatant attempt to associate Femi with established success, a clear PR play to fast-track his ascent.
The U.S. Championship match between Ilja Dragunov and Tommaso Ciampa delivered, as expected, with a brutal physicality that’s becoming Dragunov’s trademark. The blood added a level of intensity, though one wonders if that’s a look WWE is actively courting these days. Carmelo Hayes’ post-match appearance is a smart way to build towards a future feud, capitalizing on the momentum of both performers.
The most intriguing development, however, is Jade Cargill’s unprovoked attack on Michin. This isn’t just about establishing Cargill as a dominant champion; it’s about creating a villain the audience *loves* to hate. The attack felt less about wrestling and more about establishing Cargill’s brand as a force to be reckoned with. It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off big time if Cargill is positioned as the next major female star.
The expansion to a three-hour Smackdown in January is… concerning. It feels like a desperate attempt to fill time and justify the USA Network/Netflix deal, rather than a genuine effort to improve the product. It’s a move that screams “more content, less quality.”
Ultimately, this episode of Smackdown felt like a holding pattern, a bridge to the emotional farewell of John Cena. While there were moments of genuine excitement, the overarching narrative felt dictated by marketing concerns rather than organic storytelling. The question now is whether WWE can capitalize on the Cena-fueled momentum and translate it into sustained success for its other stars, or if this will simply be remembered as a week of manufactured nostalgia.
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