Another week means more WWE Network additions are here! Like every week, we had several items added to the video on demand library, while we also had some original content. But was it enough?
It should be noted that there were a few more uploads aside from what you will see below. Two new collections were added to the service, with one focusing on Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz and the other on the Shield. We may even now know what the next classic content drop is. But what else was added? And how was it? Let’s take a look:
WWE Talking Smack
This edition of WWE Talking Smack has gotten some negative reviews. I don’t think it was a bad show by any means, but I do think another episode without Bryan didn’t live up to the quality of the Daniel Bryan episodes. Instead of the duo of Renee Young and Daniel Bryan, this episode featured Renee Young and Shane McMahon. Shane is good in his role, but the show doesn’t have the same feeling when he is there. It ends up being much more sterile.
Still, Talking Smack at its worst provides a good show. Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss had a fun face off ahead of their steel cage match next week. Dolph Ziggler discussed his recent turn and it was okay. And then we had Mojo Rawley, and it almost felt like a bit of a shoot interview as he describes his entry into the business and why he is where he is. Pretty interesting stuff. Check it out.
Verdict: Watch it.
WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament Preview
For those unaware, following RAW was the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament Preview special. Going in, I was looking forward to it. And I’ll be honest, I found this to be pretty disappointing. At eighteen minutes, it was almost half of the expected run time, which was already half of the Bracketology special the Cruiserweight Classic had.
I won’t say this is a waste of time, but it just wasn’t as good as it could have been or should have been. It definitely felt scrapped together. Still, it was a fun little watch and may have helped interest for the two night tournament coming this weekend, but I’d guess it didn’t do much overall. Watch it if you have the spare time, but it isn’t must see by any means at all.
Verdict: Watch it if you have the time.
This Week in WWE
The most recent edition of This Week in WWE has been added to the service. This follows the usual formula of recapping the major events from both RAW and Smackdown Live. At only half an hour and covering five hours of television (and sometimes more), the show just can’t realistically cover everything. I think more recap programs would be a good idea.
Back in the original brand extension we had RAW with Heat and then a full hour long recap show. Meanwhile, Smackdown had Velocity and a full hour recap show. Now we have RAW with Main Event, Smackdown with nothing, and This Week in WWE at half an hour trying to cover both. More programming on the Network to cover both, supposing they’d legally be able to contractually, would be beneficial. Anyway, if you watch the weeklies, you can skip this.
Verdict: Skip it if you watch the weeklies.
WWE 205 Live
WWE 205 Live 07 has been added to the WWE Network. This is the seventh episode of the series and aired just last night. To those curious as to where our reviews of the series have gone, please be patient as we are in the process of finding new members of the staff. In the meantime, I thought the show was a good one. It wasn’t as strong as it has been, but it was still very solid. In addition to the matches listed below, we saw a “parlay” between Jack Gallagher and Ariya Daivari that was amusing. Check this show out.
Match List
Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar
Sean Maluta vs. Brian Kendrick
Rich Swann vs. Tony Nese
Verdict: Watch it.
NXT
The latest edition of WWE NXT was once again a two hour special. This was NXT 371 and it aired on the WWE Network on January 4th of this year. It was another older show, this time from Melbourne, Australia. And once again, I thought it delivered. However, much like the other program I suggest skipping the Joe/Nakamura match as it is once again a repeat that has aired previously. Good show, though.
Match List
The Revival vs. Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli
Tye Dillinger and Buddy Murphy vs. Elias Samson and Bobby Roode
Billie Kay vs. Liv Morgan vs. Ember Moon
NXT Tag Team Championship: DIY vs. TM61
NXT Championship Cage: Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Verdict: Watch it.
Main Event
Main Event has been added to the WWE Network! This edition of Main Event was Main Event 221. It originally aired on December 20th of last year. It featured a Cruiserweight match, which is almost always fun, along with a Goldust match. So I’d give this a mild recommendation, but as always, skip the RAW recap.
Match List
Tony Nese vs. Lince Dorado
Goldust vs. Curtis Axel
Verdict: Watch it, but skip the recap.
RAW
RAW has been added to the WWE Network. It was the 1228th episode of the series, which is pretty crazy to think about. RAW 1228 had originally aired on December 5th of last year. This show was pretty skippable, with another Flair segment that I didn’t get into and the Enzo Amore/Rusev story which I don’t enjoy. Still, if you like RAW it may be worth checking out.
Match List
Big Show vs. Seth Rollins
Ariya Daivari vs. Jack Gallagher
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
TJ Perkins vs. Rich Swann
Alicia Fox vs. Bayley
Titus O’Neil vs. Mark Henry
United States Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho
Sheamus and Cesaro vs. The Club
Verdict: Skip it.
Smackdown
The final WWE Network addition covered in this article will be the latest edition of Smackdown. Smackdown Live 903 aired on December 6th of last year. This episode followed WWE TLC 2016, and the WWE was beginning the march toward the Royal Rumble, albeit it slowly. The show was a lot of fun, as always, but it wasn’t a groundbreaking show by any means. Still, I’ll always recommend Smackdown Live as long as they keep delivering the goods.
Match List
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Wyatt Family
Hype Bros vs. The Ascension
Baron Corbin vs. Kalisto
Chad Gable vs. Tyler Breeze
Intercontinental Championship: The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose
Verdict: Watch it.
Closing Thoughts
Well, it wasn’t a strong week. The one piece of original content we had was only around eighteen minutes long. Still, it was good for what it was and with two big shows coming up this weekend, next week will likely be considerably better. I’m mostly interested in seeing what WWE Network classic content drop pops up, hopefully it is one you enjoy! It looks like it will be Smackdown from 2008 and 2009, but we’ll see as more episodes come in.
Stick to WWE Network News for more WWE Network news, reviews, and previews! Also be sure to follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/AWWENetworkGuy and to join in on the discussion with your opinions, predictions, and desires about the WWE Network!