SmackDown Showdown: WWE's Hottest Rivalries and Mixed Reactions from July 28! - Rating and Analysis

All photos credited to WWE.COM

Hello, wrestling fans! The latest episode of SmackDown brought the heat with thrilling matches, explosive promos, and the continued drama of ongoing feuds. Let's dive into the highlights of the action-packed show that aired on July 28, and use our original rating system to assess each match and segment!

**1. Karrion Kross Takes on The OC...still

The night kicked off with a fierce clash between Karrion Kross and Karl Anderson, as Kross aimed to assert his dominance in the WWE. The battle served as a message to AJ Styles and The OC, but fans are eagerly waiting for more sizzle in this rivalry.Karrion Kross proved his dominance once again as he triumphed over "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson. The creative team still seeks to recapture Kross' intrigue, leaving fans waiting for a more compelling storyline. As I've stated on the podcast an issue with Kross is they have yet to book him so that he alone looks strong and like a killer. Too many of his fueds have had his wife heavily involved in his victories so he looks like he can't stand on his own in the midcard let alone become a top guy.

- Action: 4

- Storytelling: 3

- Atmosphere: 3

- Innovation: 2

- Overall Enjoyment: 3

- Overall Rating: 15

Note how I cropped this photo just Kross in the fight.

**2. United States Championship Invitational Final: An Unexpected Ending**

Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar faced off in the United States Championship Invitational Final, promising an electrifying contest. Unfortunately, the match was cut short due to an apparent injury to Mysterio, handing the victory to Escobar. Despite the disappointment, Escobar's future title match against Austin Theory holds significant potential.

- Action: 3

- Storytelling: 4

- Atmosphere: 3

- Innovation: 1

- Overall Enjoyment: 3

- Overall Rating: 14

**3. LA Knight Stays Visible**

LA Knight continued to make waves as he defeated Ashante Thee Adonis. Although some may question his direction, the creative team recognized Knight's popularity and ensured he stayed in the spotlight before SummerSlam.

- Action: 3

- Storytelling: 2

- Atmosphere: 3

- Innovation: 2

- Overall Enjoyment: 3

- Overall Rating: 13

**4. Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville**

In a surprising turn of events, Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair, despite their lack of trust in each other, managed to defeat Women's Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville. While this raised the stakes for their upcoming Triple Threat Match against Asuka, some fans felt it undermined the credibility of the titles.

- Action: 3

- Storytelling: 2

- Atmosphere: 2

- Innovation: 1

- Overall Enjoyment: 3

- Overall Rating: 11

**6. Jey Uso's Victorious Main Event and a Heel Beatdown**

Jey Uso scored a competitive win against Grayson Waller in the main event, but Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa had the last word, delivering a post-match beatdown that sent a powerful message to the No. 1 contender. Waller's impressive performance against veterans shows great promise for his future in WWE.

- Action: 4

- Storytelling: 4

- Atmosphere: 4

- Innovation: 3

- Overall Enjoyment: 4

- Overall Rating: 19

**Overall Show Rating:**

- Based on the average overall rating of each match and segment: 14.5

**Analysis:**

The show had its ups and downs, with the main event match between Jey Uso and Grayson Waller stealing the spotlight with a high overall rating of 19. The action, storytelling, atmosphere, and innovation were all top-notch in this match, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained.

On the other hand, some matches like Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville fell short in terms of storytelling and atmosphere, resulting in a lower overall rating of 11.

The show's overall rating of 14.5 indicates that it had moments of excitement and engagement, but it lacked consistency throughout. Despite that, the show was bookended by the intense feud between Jey Uso and Roman Reigns, which brought a big-fight feel and elevated the overall enjoyment of the night.

**Conclusion**

The July 28 episode of SmackDown had its share of thrilling matches and captivating storylines. While some segments delivered on all fronts, others left fans wanting more. The creative team's efforts to keep stars like Karrion Kross and LA Knight visible were appreciated, but there is room for improvement in certain areas.

As we eagerly await SummerSlam, we hope to see more high-flying action, compelling storytelling, and a big-fight atmosphere that truly elevates the show to new heights. Remember, this rating system allows us to compare different matches objectively, so let's keep using it to express our opinions and engage in discussions about the exciting world of WWE!