The Good, The Bad and The NXT
Thursday 5 October 2017 11:10, UK
WWE Hell in a Cell takes centre stage this weekend, but it seems that the SmackDown roster has been struggling to take the spotlight away from Raw ahead of their event on Sunday night.
This is the blue brand's final event before next month's Survivor Series dual brand face off, so they really need to step up their game.
Here are the stars who have stood out this week, for all the right and wrong reasons.
Good Week
The Miz (Raw)
It seems that everything has been going right for The Miz over the past few weeks, he recently announced that he is expecting his first child, he retained his Intercontinental Championship against Roman Reigns on Monday night and managed to recruit two main event calibre stars in Cesaro and Sheamus this past week.
The Miz is on top of the world right now, but he doesn't realise that his tactics have just reformed one of the most dominant stables in WWE history, so it could be the last time Miz has a good week for a long time.
Kevin Owens (SmackDown)
Kevin Owens sent another message to SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon when he attacked him and left him brutalised much like he did with his father a few weeks ago.
Owens steps into Hell in a Cell this weekend knowing exactly what he's walking into, last year he successfully defended his Universal Championship inside the structure against Seth Rollins, but this year the challenge of a McMahon awaits him. It seems that Owens was the one who got the upperhand heading into the match, but Sunday night could be a whole different ballgame.
Drew McIntyre (NXT)
Drew McIntyre put his NXT Championship on the line this week, with Roderick Strong the challenger that has been waiting for an opportunity at the title for the past few months. Strong was a tough competitor and the duo put on a fantastic match, but it was McIntyre that proved his pedigree when he his Claymore for the win.
After the match, the two men shook hands before proclaiming that "This isn't over" to the delight of the NXT Universe who were well aware that they had just witnessed an instant classic.
Bad week
The Shield (RAW)
It's hard to decide whether it's been a good or bad for the three former members of The Shield, but it has been a good week for the WWE Universe because it's obvious that the popular trio are all back on the same page. Of course, all three were beaten down this week which has left them with no other option but to join forces once again to take on Sheamus, Cesaro and The Miz.
It's a reunion that is more than three years in the making and it seems that WWE has picked the perfect time to bring back one of the most dominant stables that have ever populated WWE ahead of TLC in less than three weeks time.
Mike Kanellis (SmackDown)
Mike was easily defeated this week on SmackDown as he took on Bobby Roode, who was gaining momentum ahead of his match this weekend against Dolph Ziggler. It seems that Mike's new position as talent enhancement was officially revealed, which is a shock since it was only a few months ago at The Money in the Bank pay-per-view that Mike and his wife Maria made their long-awaited WWE debut.
Fast forward a few months and Mike's struggles in his personal life have become public knowledge and Maria recently revealed that she is expecting the couple's first child, but it seems that Mike is now destined to be lost amongst the shuffle. WWE's novelty with the former TNA star wore off quite quickly, this could be a new record.
Aliyah (NXT)
Aliyah has been training in WWE for a number of years now, she's been pushing her way up through the ranks and showed real improvement in the ring against Kairi Sane this week on NXT.
Aliyah has been waiting years for this kind of opportunity and WWE decided that she's the right opponent to job out to Kairi Sane in her debut match at Full Sail University. The company should be concentrating on making their own talent stars, instead of bringing in wrestlers who are already established. Aliyah is a chance for WWE to do this, much like they did with Alexa Bliss, but they are going about it all wrong.
