WWE SmackDown results, grades (Aug. 28): Sami Zayn stands tall after chaos reigns in main event
The latest episode of WWE SmackDown in Ottawa received heavy criticism for its confusing booking decisions, particularly a main event that ended in a no-contest. Despite a high-quality match between Kevin Owens, Gunther, and Finn Balor, the narrative execution was labeled as self-sabotaging by the reviewer.
Why it matters
Professional wrestling relies heavily on narrative continuity and satisfying payoffs; poor booking decisions can alienate a dedicated fanbase and impact viewership retention.
WWE stayed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on this Friday — August 28 — for the latest "WWE SmackDown," following up last week's big CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens world title match. To say that this iteration of the show missed the mark would be an understatement.KO'ing the audienceDespite WWE's planned pre-tapings of "SmackDown" for the next two weeks, it still felt like there had to be a significant follow-up to one of the biggest TV matches of the company's year, right?Wrong. Entirely wrong.In one of the absolute stupidest, self-sabotaging booking decisions we've seen in quite some time, WWE booked a triple-threat match — a match type notorious for having a no-DQ element to it — to end via a no-contest. That's right. Make that make sense.All it took for Kevin Owens vs. Gunther vs. Finn Balor to end without a winner was apparently Sami Zayn attacking two referees.
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