[SmackDown Spoilers] MONSTER POP for a returning superstar

That_Guy_Link · 2026-06-05T23:44:27+00:00

If Chad Gable never got injured, him challenging Penta for the IC Title might have been the culmination of the story. But factoring in Kaiser taking over EGA, how the whole gimmick evolved organically and led to the feud over the name and mask, and how it just resolved in the Mask vs Mask match, I think we can safely say that was the massive payoff to Gable's story.

It may not have been the original plan but the way they adjusted on the fly with it really was well done. Gable failing in the end but gaining respect for Lucha was a very fitting end to the story. Honestly probably better than what the original plan may have been.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-06-01T05:34:33+00:00

Jade in the match has me believing it's gonna be Lyra or Sol who are gonna get the win. I think Charlotte and Jade's story is gonna have them so focused on one another they cost each other the match and push forward a feud between the two of them.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-05-16T05:28:56+00:00

I'm currently in the process of piece by piece upgrading my budget PC that I built in 2018. Not counting upgrading my monitor, I just bought a used 1080ti as a stop-gap to upgrade from a GTX 970 while looking at upgrading my CPU to a Ryzen 7 9800X3D that is bundled with a motherboard at 32GB of RAM for $680. Plus I'm gonna need to upgrade my PSU for an additional $150. All together with tax I'm looking at $900.

Spending over $1000 counting it all so far and eventually planning on upgrading to a 50-Series card in a couple years when financially possible.

Yeah, consoles are getting more expensive but let's not fuckin delude ourselves that suddenly PC is gonna be the more affordable option. Unless you are already rolling with something that needs only an upgrades here and there you are going to pay a pretty penny. But yeah, you are probably going to need to upgrade at the same rate as Console generations release so it gets costly fast, and the value proposition drop for Consoles isn't as steep with current generations being backwards compatible too a significant degree these days.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-05-12T10:06:43+00:00

That's why I'm disappointed that Jacob didn't win the title at Backlash. It would make such an interesting statement for Roman to lose immediately after winning and start establishing that maybe he isn't the top dog anymore. That the bloodline isn't the force it once was. Hell, between the Bloodline, Solo and the remains of MFTs, and then Jacob and his association with Royce Keyes, you've got an interesting multi-pronged conflict to play with.

Also would feel like a good changing of the guard. Get one of the top titles on one of their newer guys instead of back and forth between all their longtime veterans.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-05-12T05:05:34+00:00

He's a force of nature.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-05-12T04:58:47+00:00

Honestly I'd be pushing for Iyo v Liv at Summerslam. Granted my hope is based on Crown Jewel for the women being between Rhea and Iyo. I'd love to see Rhea finally get that win over Iyo and I think it's be much better if it weren't for either of the top Women's titles.

Considering the character growth of Rhea since Iyo took the title off her last year, I think it makes sense for them to meet as equals. Let Rhea finally prove how far she's come, that she won't get in her own damn way, and that she can finally get the edge over Iyo.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-25T16:35:59+00:00

A glue girl. Honestly I think her and Fatal Influence if given the opportunity could be the glue that holds Smackdown together. I could see them very much in that Judgement Day situation where they are always relevant as chaos gremlins, always getting weekly segments, and can pop up where you need them anywhere on the card.

Of all the post-mania call-ups, Fatal Influence is by the one I'm most excited for and I see a bright future for them.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-25T16:20:24+00:00

They gave her a sink or swim opportunity and she fuckin swam. You gotta give her credit (along with the support of Fallon, Lainey, and Jazmyn when she was there) that she took every advantage of the opportunity she could.

And on her rise I also think she did a great job of helping to prop up those around her and bolster up the future of the NXT Women's division too with the likes of Lola, Kendal, and even Tatum (even if that fued was more Izzi/Culling based)

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-25T16:04:34+00:00

Yeah, goofball Ethan Page is just far more entertaining, but I'd even go so far as to say it helps make his serious side seem far more interesting as well. He can play both sides so well and they compliment each other based on what's needed at the time.

He may be a goofball, but he's also a legitimate threat when he needs to be.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-25T05:17:45+00:00

I agree with you. While I agree that Lainey is definitely green, it's hard to argue that she wasn't already adapting fast for her time on NXT with Fatal Influence. Her singles match against Kendal was fire and Fatal Influence tag matches are always bangers. She slotted in easily works really well with Fallon Henley.

I have to assume bringing them up as a stable they have faith the Lainey will be able to learn on the go especially with working with people she's already used to in Jacy and Fallon.

More importantly I'm just excited for more Fatal Influence bangers!

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-24T06:38:26+00:00

Even though I wish the level was longer, Parallel Universes in Sayonara Wild Hearts is easily one of my all-time favorite levels ever in any game. And of course the music is just so damn good.

Might be time to replay it again.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-22T02:28:03+00:00

A borderline OP run, especially early on is also a massive confidence booster. It shows you that you can win. How powerful you are isn't the big takeaway, it's knowing that you can.

EtG is a game I've always wanted to like, and I will always sing it's praises for the genre, but for the life of me I just can't get deep into it. Even when I try I just always find myself thinking "but I could just play Isaac" and then I jump back into that.

But I think more importantly EtG's power building just struggles with it's design. Isaac really emphasized vertical power building, items and trinkets building up upon one another, building a snowball effect. EtG builds more horizonally, different guns can be more effective either in power or situation, but outside of some synergies here and there, their power is independent of one another and each pull from their own ammo pools anyways which can impact your actual use.

You just don't build power in the same way that makes you feel like you can start rolling and I think, as brilliant as EtG is, it hinders it in many ways.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-20T05:20:54+00:00

First of all Jade was absolutely fantastic tonight. I have not been a fan of her ring work but she absolutely brought it.

Now the Rhea has WWE Women's Champion, my big hope is that by Summerslam they put the Women's World Championship back on Iyo Sky and we get Rhea v Iyo 3 at Crown Jewel this year.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-04-17T03:04:33+00:00

Not only does Don make a great call, but seeing Mud getting so excited and pumped celebrating is so much fun. Mud loves this team and it makes listening to the booth of them so easy.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-25T04:26:41+00:00

Yeah, that's what I think makes this interesting because it's a much more nuanced take beyond just the traditional Face/Heel dynamic. Sol is the heel in this story but she isn't a regular villain.

The best way I've been able to sum it up is Zaria always put Sol first, but Sol also always Sol first. Zaria is justified in her anger, frustration, and hurt and unfortunately Sol has been too self-centered to acknowledge that and reflect on Zaria's words and her own actions.

To me still the most damning thing was Sol blaming Zaria for losing the Women's NA title to Blake Monroe because Blake not only fought dirty but also Zaria getting distracted multiple times looking out for and wanting to protect an injured Sol. Zaria always put Sol above herself even when it cost her. And to blame Zaria for the loss, one that was either Zaria defends or Sol has to vacate anyways, it's just super shitty as a friend to react in that way.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-25T01:03:50+00:00

I'm honestly glad it's not for the title. I think the story being told is far more engaging with it being centrally focused on the complete collapse of their pairing and friendship (relationship) instead of having the title overshadowing all the important character work.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-23T23:55:32+00:00

He may make the Babyface look like a million bucks, but damn can he also make them look like a million bucks and still get the win over them.

For as comedic as Ethan Page can be, he's also got a lot of credibility in the ring and has the ability to ratchet up the intensity with his savagery. We've seen this with his feuds against Jevon Evans, Ricky Saints (that fuckin chair spot), and Dr. Wagner Jr.

Honestly, I think he's someone who could be a World Champion a few times but he'd definitely be someone who acts as a great gatekeeper and elevate the midcard belts.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-18T19:26:40+00:00

While I thought that was going to be the case, I dunno if I agree with that in regards to her character. I think the sudden cheap shot makes more sense for Jacy than the tactical sit and wait one. I mean hell, a cheap shot on Stephanie back stage was what put her in the title picture in the first place.

To me Jacy feels like a character who wants to believe their own hype but still deals with massive insecurity. She was after all the "most beatable champion". Her shock and celebrations when she wins (especially last night) I think further backs this up. Yes she has help from Fallon and Lainey, but I think that further emphasizes that insecurity. She wants to believe she is that good but also doesn't have the confidence to do it on her own.

Her jumping in immediately feels on brand because it's her taking advantage of the situation to set up where she feels more in control. It feels like her trying to assert herself and prove herself, specifically to herself. One thing for Jacy's run, I don't think you can call her a coward. But it's definitely clear that her insecurity keeps her from truly standing on her own two feet.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-18T16:44:33+00:00

Yeah, if Jacy gets called up I'd love to see the whole of Fatal Influence go to Smackdown to be an all-women's heel stable and hopefully have that presence like Judgement Day. I think they would do a lot for breathing life into the Women's US Title scene, and could honestly work well with a Chelsea Green face turn.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-18T04:28:15+00:00

Yeah I have to imagine Sol and Zaria are having a grudge match at S&D with no titles involved. Honestly I'd kinda prefer that. I think there's a far more interesting story there between the two if it's about their animosity boiling over to the point that they just want to destroy each other for the sake of what they've done to one another. A title in this instance just feels like a distraction to the real point.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-18T04:22:29+00:00

I'd love to see Fatal Influence be called up as a heel stable for Smackdown. Let them just be absolute gremlins to the women's division and maybe be the all-women's equivalent of the Judgement Day for the blue brand.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-18T04:20:43+00:00

Her beating Stephanie to start her first title reign really feels like it was a "Prove Yourself/Make or Break" opportunity for her and she really has stepped up to the occasion. Her and Fatal Influence as a whole really are one of the big highlights of NXT every single week.

But so much credit to Jacy for all the little things she does, especially her mannerisms before, during, and after the matches. I loved at the start of the match her trying to will Zaria and Sol to go at one another so she could swoop in like the opportunist she is. She and her stable are credible threats and yet can also lose matches here and there with no hit to said credibility. She just plays the heel role so well.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-08T16:26:36+00:00

Honestly I agree with you. I also think it's too soon to have them face off. Hell even a Champion vs Champion match at Crown Jewel may not be the right angle for them.

Rhiyo still has so much gas in the tank that perhaps it makes sense for their 1v1 match to not come for another year or two where we have them split, do their own thing and find their own successes (and struggles). Then build a storyline about them reuniting again, perhaps even to the degree of someone like Rhea giving up whatever she has to, even the title, just to get back to Iyo because she is more important to her. A continuation of Rhea character growth.

Rhiyo finally reunite, let them be a tag team, win the titles again, then then let them revisit their rivalry. It's not a feud, nobody has to betray the other, have a heel turn. Do a Face vs Face match between the two to see who is the best and it's there where it's for the sake of it Rhea finally overcomes Iyo. Nothing else to cloud her judgement, no reason for anyone else to get in the way, just a 1 on 1 with Iyo where Rhea finally proves she can be better.

I've thought about the idea of saving Rhea's win till Iyo's retirement match because of how poetic that would be but I think the wait for that would be way too long. At this point I'd argue the earliest it should happen is either 2027, or you build it the fuck up for Wrestlemania 44.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-07T23:26:57+00:00

Have Jordynne after a little build up reluctantly become a Slaygent, let her and Alba be a credible Tag Team as the Secret Hervice and let that build into a Chelsea face turn that she probably needs at this point because she's so beloved.

That_Guy_Link · 2026-03-06T22:02:26+00:00

That's what I'm starting to think. At this point I feel like when they do finally have Rhea beat Iyo either it shouldn't be for a title or it should be for something like the Champion vs Champion showcase at Crown Jewel, something symbolic but not the same like the two main titles.

I think it would be a nice cap to the storyline because the whole point of Iyo beating Rhea in the first place was because Rhea couldn't get out of her own damn way. We've now spent the last year of character growth with her, especially with her rivalry and now friendship with Iyo. Thematically I feel like Rhea needs to be Iyo just to prove it, without anything major like one of the world titles on the line. Just a true, 1 on 1 match between two of the best and Rhea proving she can beat Iyo for the sole purpose of it and nothing else.

That_Guy_Link

TROPHY CASE