SmackDown In A Nutshell: Blue Brand Visits The Buckeye State

It’s time for another SmackDown In A Nutshell, and the blue brand visits the Buckeye State.

Simple enough, but we should point out that while the blue brand visits the Buckeye state, it is no ordinary visit.

Nope, while on the campus of Ohio State…this is our final go-home show, with Hell In A Cell hitting us on Sunday.

So, while the blue brand visits the Buckeye state, what is in store for us?

For one, that hopefully strong final hype for Hell In A Cell.

Otherwise, we have a six pack challenge to look forward to, as we try to see who is next to face Ronda Rousey.

And, our likely main event? That would be Shinsuke and Riddle challenging The Usos for the Unified Tag Team Championships.

Sounds like a pretty solid go-home show if I had to be honest.

So, without any further delay, lets dive in. It is time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Blue Brand Visits The Buckeye State

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see how Ohio treats the blue brand!

Best Match of the night:

The tag team main event was the winner in my books. Not the best, but good enough.

Nice twist with Zayn having Reigns’ music play to distract Riddle, who was working short-handed.

And, considering that Orton went down, and Boogs went down…you do hope Shinsuke isn’t legit injured.

I also have to at least give a nod to the six pack challenge. Not superb, but good for what it was.

That one got extra points because I wasn’t expecting Natalya to win.

Worst match of the night:

Maybe it’s harsh, but a week after being in the main event, we got a recycled Drew Day versus Brawling Brutes six man tag.

Not that it was bad…but like, don’t think we needed it two weeks in a row, either.

Star of the Night

I like this new Moss. And while he was only gone 3 weeks, I swear he looked even more jacked.

Could definitely see him as a future star, he has that look.

But, my big star of the night was Riddle. Worked most of the match solo, and looked the part.

Spot of the Night:

My only complaint about seeing the Bitter End is it was done by Butch, even if it’s the same guy.

Bitter End by #Butch! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/sV1fUJjG0J

— WWE (@WWE) June 4, 2022

Bruiserweight for the win.

Puzzle of the Night:

Change of name for this one, no jobber.

How about puzzle. As in…is Lacey Evans the new Veer?

OK, maybe not…but seriously.

We got hype for her to be back. She then randomly showed up…bounced from blue brand to red brand and back…

Seems like now, she will be back on the blue brand next week. Until plans change again…

.@LaceyEvansWWE returns to #SmackDown NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/GruZJdd084

— WWE (@WWE) June 4, 2022

Upset of the Night:

Happy Corbin was not so happy…

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Madcap is buried, so says Madcap. We didn’t end up with Riddick, or Moss…but give it time.

That said, he snapped on Happy Corbin, and the Ohio State fans loved it.

Botch of the night:

Cole was really struggling with Aliyah’s name. Maybe because Xia  was also in there?

McAfee corrected him at least once.

LOL Moment of the night:

I guess this is funny?

Maybe?

Look how the tables have turned…@WWE_Aliyah @ShotziWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/RijjUJpAvS

— WWE (@WWE) June 4, 2022

Noteworthy Moment:

As was hoped for, WWE used the “injury” angle to Madcap Moss to retire that goofy gimmick.

Maximum Male Models reveals their first client next week.

The first client of Maximum Male Models will be unveiled next week on #SmackDown!

Who do you think it will be? pic.twitter.com/Q662UkA9P4

— WWE (@WWE) June 4, 2022

We know who was trotted out when it was off-air. Will WWE go that same route?

Also…next week, Ricochet loses the IC belt to Gunther.

NEXT WEEK on #SmackDown@KingRicochet defends the #ICTitle against @Gunther_AUT! pic.twitter.com/eEPc48bQGQ

— WWE (@WWE) June 4, 2022

OK, so it’s “just” a match…but given his push, do we really think the Austrian Ring General won’t win?

Overall lowlights:

The crowd seemed into things…but it was not the best go-home show.

A quick glance on social media supported that, with many not happy with this week’s show.

#SmackDown TONIGHT ? pic.twitter.com/d3D6peT8BE

— MAGALI REZA (@MagaliReza) June 4, 2022

Overall highlights:

Is it Madcap now? Or will it just be Moss?

We don’t yet know, but it doesn’t much matter. He looks jacked and fired up and perhaps could be on the verge of breaking out.

Also…Riddle is getting the slow build to Reigns, and I think WWE could be building him for a long term big Superstar run.

At least, I hope. As goofy as he can be, and while he talks big…I am a big fan.

One other note…please please please give us the best version of the former LA Knight.

After the final bell:

Well, that’s it for the blue brand and their visit to the Buckeye state.

As far as go-home shows are concerned? It really didn’t feel like one. Like, at all.

Maybe that is because we had no Roman Reigns, as he has no match Sunday?

Or that, instead of a tag title match on Sunday, it was our main event tonight?

Heck, even the determination of the #1 contender for the SmackDown Women’s title has no bearing on Sunday.

The more I ponder things…the more this show was a bit of a head-scratcher.

Truly liked Moss’s new look, and Riddle’s starring role…so I will be happy with that and call it a night.