It’s no secret that WWE still has some work to do with 205 Live, their cruiserweight dedicated show, as fans in attendance have the tendency to leave once SmackDown LIVE is in the books while the viewing figures could certainly be better on the WWE Network.
However, with the WWE stopping in Montreal, Quebec, Canada this week for Monday Night RAW and SmackDown, fans that decided to leave the arena on Tuesday night before 205 Live went off the air might be kicking themselves for that decision.
DARK MATCH
It’s not because there was anything groundbreaking that took place on 205 Live, but the fact that Daniel Bryan - who had been told earlier on in the evening during SmackDown that he would be unable to compete due to a chest infection - was involved in a dark match that everyone thought would take place on a pay-per-view instead.
Ever since his in-ring return was announced, fans and outlets have been quick to draft up lists of opponents they want the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion to feature in.
New SmackDown general manager, Paige, didn’t waste any time after WrestleMania 34 in giving fans Bryan vs. AJ Styles, while fans are patiently waiting for the events where we see Bryan take on the guys like The Miz, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe and more - even those currently competing on the red brand.
In the dark match of SmackDown this week, fans were loving the fact that WWE had Bryan take on Shinsuke Nakamura, who battles The Phenomenal One in a no disqualification match for the WWE Championship at Backlash this Sunday.
BRYAN VS. NAKAMURA
Fans have been calling for this match ever since The King of Strong Style signed with WWE, but the timing of Bryan’s retirement suggested it was never meant to be. Although you’d have expected the WWE to keep them apart and have them engage in a feud towards a huge pay-per-view, it didn’t stop the fans - both in attendance and online - from voicing their pleasure at seeing what happened.
As you’ll be able to see below, Bryan was hitting Nakamura with the infamous ‘YES!’ Kicks - or in this case, the ‘OUI!’ Kicks - before missing the final one. This resulted in Nakamura turning to his trusty and vicious low blow to hand Bryan the victory via disqualification which the fans despised. This clearly works in Nakamura’s favour as one of the biggest heels in WWE today.
Obviously, this probably isn’t how many WWE fans would have wanted their first match in WWE to go, especially since Nakamura has also said Bryan is his next dream match in WWE after taking on AJ Styles.
However, this is definitely the best way to get more heat on Nakamura, while keeping fans on the edge of their seats for when the two do eventually have their full-blown rivalry.
What did you make of the WWE giving fans another epic Daniel Bryan dream match when SmackDown LIVE went off the air? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.