3 Talking Points From Tonight’s Episode Of WWE Smackdown

WWE SmackDown once again thrilled fans with a jam-packed episode full of dramatic moments and high-octane action. From Randy Orton’s amusing fine-paying antics to CM Punk’s intense return promo, the latest edition of the show gave the audience plenty to buzz about. However, the increased involvement of Zelina Vega and Michin in the women’s division feud stole the spotlight as a standout talking point.

Kicking off the night, Randy Orton had an entertaining run-in with Nick Aldis following Orton’s RKO on Aldis in a previous episode. In an unexpected move, Orton presented Aldis with a check compensating twice the amount of the fine imposed on Orton for his actions. This cheekily signaled Orton’s willingness to repeat the RKO on Aldis, playing into Orton’s current character as an aging yet utterly unapologetic wrestler who fully embraces his unpredictable tendencies. Orton’s lovable rogue persona has struck a chord with fans, injecting his veteran presence with a renewed sense of mischievous charm.

Shifting gears, CM Punk cut a scathing return promo that set social media ablaze. After weathering criticism for a lacklustre appearance last week on Raw, Punk bounced back with a barrage of teases targeting Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins. Cleverly sidestepping mentioning Rollins directly and instead poking fun at Rollins’ “whiny voice,” Punk hinted at plans to enter the upcoming Royal Rumble to gun for the WrestleMania main event spot. His backstage interactions with Owens and Cody Rhodes reinforced Punk’s quest to reestablish himself as a central figure in WWE programming. From calling out Reigns on running SmackDown through his Bloodline cronies to challenging newcomer Sikoa to be more than just “Honorary Uce,” Punk reaffirmed his masterful abilities on the mic, backed by an audience loudly voicing their support.

Yet the most meaningful development came through Zelina Vega and Michin’s expanded role in the Team Bianca versus Damage CTRL feud. Vega and Michin made history by emerging as forces unto themselves in the women’s division, rather than accessory managers for male counterparts. By siding with Bianca Belair and Shotzi against the reigning women’s tag champs Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, Vega and Michin underscored their determination to compete at the same elite level as their female wrestling peers. This represents a progressive shift for women’s wrestling in WWE, paving the way for managers like Vega and Michin to transcend their traditional secondary statuses. The audience can now view Vega and Michin as legitimate in-ring threats while adding depth to the Team Bianca and Damage CTRL rivalry. And Vega’s glamorous pink outfit dazzled fans, amplifying the flair for fashion embodied by WWE’s women’s roster.

Delving deeper into Orton’s lighthearted interactions with Aldis, The Viper’s veteran poise shined through in playing up the attack for additional laughs. Orton clearly understands his character’s appeal stems from unpredictable, violent outbursts, even when unjustified. His willingness to cut a check purely to convey random RKOs will always be part of the deal gave Orton’s persona a refreshing new dimensionality. The normally stoic and cold-blooded Orton displayed his funny bone, while also teasing the audience with the looming threat of another sudden RKO on Aldis. Orton continues straddling that line between chaotic neutral and chaotic evil exceptionally well at this later stage of his career.

Likewise, CM Punk’s scorched earth verbal assault reestablished his focal place on WWE programming after last week’s promotional misfire. Punk riffed on familiar targets like Reigns, Rollins and even the fanbase itself, while introducing new rivalries against breakout Bloodline enforcer Solo Sikoa and recent main event fixture Kevin Owens. Despite holding no official championship, Punk made his case for being the singular must-see WWE talent week in and week out. His directness in addressing valid complaints about his recent Triple H-helmed WWE run being all talk displayed a self-awareness that will resonate with the WWE Universe. Punk carries himself like the lead antihero swimming in an ocean of floundering babyfaces and heavily pushed yet bland heels. His return promo perfectly distilled that exceptional, outspoken arrogance setting Punk miles apart from the pack.

Rounding out the show, forwarding Vega and Michin to key player status represents WWE’s most overt commitment to strengthening its women’s division booking in quite some time. The Manager role in WWE has skewed glaringly male-dominated historically, with female managers portrayed as eye candy valets lacking in-ring ability or serious character motivations. Yet Vega and Michin have broken that glass ceiling. Their involvement in the Team Bianca and Damage CTRL story now comes from a position of power rather than playing second fiddle to a male Superstar. Vega and Michin add fresh dimensional to WWE’s women’s division landscape while expanding possibilities for future compelling conflicts. If WWE continues spotlighting female managers as fully realized competitors akin to their male manager counterparts, the entire women’s roster will greatly benefit moving forward.

With Slammy Awards season fast approaching and the Royal Rumble nearing on the horizon, tonight’s SmackDown delivered pivotal character moments that will shape WWE programming this month and beyond. Randy Orton seems primed to channel his unpredictable machismo into more comedic mayhem. Meanwhile, CM Punk’s laser-focused intensity solidified his status as the rebel antihero fans love to hate (and vice versa). Yet Zelina Vega and Michin’s defiant display arguably stole the show in setting a progressive tone for the continued evolution of WWE’s women’s division. With all three talking points carrying intriguing implications, tonight’s SmackDown once again showcased why this flagship brand remains appointment television for millions of WWE fans worldwide.