The August 8 WWE SmackDown episode in Montreal featured several entertaining segments, but some developments left fans puzzled, especially concerning R-Truth’s character shift. After spending months with a darker persona following John Cena’s heel turn, R-Truth abruptly abandoned his real name and reverted to his classic, humorous self upon encountering Cena backstage. This sudden change, without any explanation for dropping the new gimmick or why he stopped using his real name, left viewers confused about the direction of his character.
The backstage moment was marked by an affectionate reunion where Truth copied Cena’s movements and embraced him warmly, bypassing any mention of recent events. This return to his earlier antics felt out of place considering his prior transformation over the last five months.
Awkward Dynamics Between Tag Champions Bliss and Flair Despite Birthday Celebration
Since winning the tag team championship at SummerSlam, Bliss and Flair have been portrayed as allies, but their friendship on this SmackDown seemed uneasy. Flair organized a birthday party for Bliss, complete with a cake and a Charly doll, but the atmosphere turned uncomfortable when Flair insisted Bliss hug her, which Bliss hesitated to do. The forced interaction made the segment feel strained rather than genuine.
The tension escalated when Chelsea Green and Secret HERvice interrupted the celebration. During the ensuing match, Flair smashed Green’s face into Bliss’s birthday cake. After Flair secured the win, the tag champions ended up sharing the cake, adding an odd and somewhat perplexing conclusion to the segment.
Sikoa’s Invitation to New Contenders Sparks Uncertainty About Jacob Fatu’s Role
Following Sami Zayn’s surprising victory, Sikoa openly challenged new opponents on SmackDown, seemingly ignoring Jacob Fatu, who had previously lost to Sikoa in a Steel Cage match for the United States Championship at SummerSlam due to interference from the MFTs. This development puzzled fans as it appeared <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE might be sidelining Fatu from the US title picture despite his recent strong push.
With Sikoa calling out fresh challengers and overlooking Fatu, questions arise about the future of Fatu’s pursuit of the United States Championship. This sudden dismissal does not align with the momentum Fatu had built, and it remains unclear why WWE would phase him out of this storyline abruptly.
Implications for WWE Storylines Moving Forward
The unexpected shifts during the August 8 WWE SmackDown episode, including R-Truth’s unexplained character reversion, the uneasy partnership between Bliss and Flair, and the ambiguous handling of Jacob Fatu’s US title bid, leave significant questions about WWE’s creative direction. These confusing moments may affect how fans engage with ongoing storylines as WWE prepares for future episodes and pay-per-view events.
