WWE Smackdown Review: Daniel Bryan Is NOT The Weak Link

WWE Smackdown was brought to us from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. For the first time, it featured all three members of The Shield wrestling in singles matches against Kane, Daniel Bryan, and Randy Orton.

The Kane vs. Seth Rollins match was a good way to start the show. The match provided an interesting dynamic, with Rollins being the quick heel and Kane being the monster babyface. Good action overall, with Kane finally getting a victory. Sadly, Kane has spent nearly his entire WWE career as the superstar who is against the odds. Although this should not be the case, he has definitely created a Hall of Fame tenure in the WWE.

Good transition into the Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns match, as well as a good finish. Having Rollins and Reigns lose consecutively would have taken the momentum down just a slight bit, but the DQ win was appropriate. The arguing between Daniel Bryan and Kane was even more beneficial to the climax we saw later in the show.

The Damien Sandow segment was again quite amusing, and is a good way to reintroduce himself to the WWE Universe as a good singles heel. His recent dealings with Sheamus, including the segment on Smackdown, should set up a pay-per-view match between the two, which I am totally fine with. Moreover, Sandow defeating Sheamus at Payback?if the match happens there?could both revitalize Sandow, as well as extend the feud.

Curtis Axel vs. Sin Cara was poor booking. The WWE has this idea that somehow Axel will develop himself into a legitimate character if he beats midcarders. Not a good strategy. If they really want to make him a top heel, he needs to be in a serious feud with someone, and not just having "wins" over Triple H and John Cena, in which the concentration was on both of them far more than the Curtis Axel victory. Randy Orton would be a top candidate of who I would use to put Axel over. Especially since he is also a third generation superstar.

Good series of matches between Alberto Del Rio and Big E. Langston, and a good choice to put Langston over in this match. Since they are splitting falls throughout the weeks on Raw, Smackdown, and Main Event, having the final match?with some kind of stipulation attached?would be a good idea for Payback if Dolph Ziggler is not cleared to wrestle. Seemingly, the seeds are being planted for a Big E. Langston face turn as well.

Ryback vs. Kofi Kingston was actually well-booked. Kofi showed an incredible amount of quickness during the match, gaining the advantage for a significant amount of time by preventing Ryback from getting any stability until the end. The powerbomb spots through the table were sick, and a good way to give an extinguishing Ryback some much-needed steam. Kofi needed time off from a nagging elbow injury, so this was a good way to write him off.

Randy Orton vs. Dean Ambrose was a great way to end the show. Not necessarily from the particular match, although it was good, but from what happened post-match.

Daniel Bryan taking out all three members of The Shield was very well done. This "I am not the weak link!" angle can go very far if properly booked, even as a way to reinsert Bryan in the world title picture. Although his affiliation with Kane is helping him out right now in regards to feeling that he needs to impress him, Daniel Bryan has enough momentum in this current character to stand alone if need be.

And of course?the "Yes!" chants are still popular. The ending in Edmonton was exhilarating.

Sound off with your Smackdown thoughts below.