The professional wrestling landscape is changing everyday and we stand on the edge of a new era. NXT is coming to USA network, AEW will begin its weekly shows very soon and Smackdown Live is going to Fox.

It is evident that Smackdown Live will get a makeover. With Eric Bischoff managing the creative and a change in the visuals, it can be safely said that Smackdown Live is entering into its new era. The Smackdown Live era (2016 Brand Split – 2019 Wildcard Rule) was a very memorable run and probably the best run that a WWE show has had after the inception of the PG era. I spent my high school days watching that show and have a lot of memories attached to that show. And most of you will agree with me when I say that it was a fantastic run. Let’s jump in and take a look at the superstars who define this era.

Honourable Mentions :

Daniel Bryan, Paige, James Ellsworth, Shane McMahon, Charlotte, Jeff Hardy and Greg Hamilton.

#10 Carmella

This might seem to be a controversial entry to kick off things but Carmella has left a significant mark on the history of the show. She was Ms. Money in the Bank (twice? Surely controversial) and had a long run as the Women’s champion in which she improved her in-ring game quite well and also turned into a really good and hate-able heel. Though the end of that reign was a bit controversial with all the crazy stuff happening with Asuka and Ellsworth cosplaying her, Carmella still manages to leave a mark as an OG Smackdown lady.

#9 Bray Wyatt

The Eater of the Worlds was a huge part of Smackdown Live and quite an entertaining one too. Wyatt has always proved that he’s one of the most charismatic wrestlers in the world. And even though he did move to Raw, he provided us with some of the most memorable moments of the show’s history. His feud with Randy Orton was excellent (until they had a match) and his run with the WWE championship was something that we all wanted to see. Though it didn’t go out the way we were expecting it to go, we look back at his title win quite fondly.

#8 Randy Orton

Randy brought his A-Game in the Smackdown Live era. His feud with Brock Lesnar blurred lines between reality and kayfabe to such an extent that even the people backstage weren’t sure about what was scripted and what wasn’t. He also had that viscious phase when he was feuding with Jeff Hardy and wanted to destroy his earlobes. The segment when he burnt down Wyatt’s house/Sister Abigail’s grave was a monumental one. Even his feud with AJ Styles was quite intense. And let’s not forget that he won a Royal Rumble match as well.

#7 Dean Ambrose

Another wrestler who went from Smackdown to Raw but had a deep impact on the show’s initial phase. Ambrose was at his prime when he was the WWE Champion. He would cut outstanding promos almost weekly against the likes of John Cena, AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler. Smackdown needed a strong champion to start off its run with a bang and Dean played that role to absolute perfection. He also had a wonderful run with the Intercontinental Title.

#6 The Miz

The only reason that The Miz is not in the top five is because he kept switching from one brand to another every year. But the Miz proved that he owns the show in which he is. The intense feud with Dolph Ziggler grabbed a lot of eyeballs for the blue brand. The Miz elevated his game to a level which we had never seen from him before. His promos were pure gold and his in-ring storytelling was on point as well. Let’s not even try to talk about that infamous Talking Smack promo because it deserves a separate article for itself. The Miz showed that he could be a crowd-beloved babyface as well. His feud with Shane proved to be one of the most exciting feuds going into Wrestlemania that year and defied all expectations (which reminds me that I should probably give an honourable mention to George as well!).

#5 John Cena

Yes! Super Cena. I miss him right now. His contributions to the initial phase of the show made it possible for it to go through the stratosphere. John Cena gained the free agent status but it would be safe to say that Smackdown Live was his home for the first one and a half years. Cena kept proving his critics wrong after having great feuds with the likes of Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles. He faced many younger performers like Baron Corbin in this time and represented the blue brand in Survivor Series as well. Cena was like the father which Smackdown Live didn’t always need but whenever it did he was there.

#4 Becky Lynch

The Irish Lasskicker may be the hottest thing on Raw right now but the roots of the Man lie deep in the history of Smackdown Live. Becky was the first Women’s champion of her brand. She notably, feuded with Alexa Bliss and a returning Mickie James in this time. The Becky we know now was born in Smackdown Live. Becky’s momentum started to build when she won a string of matches before Summerslam where she finally snapped on Charlotte and the rest is history. She also won the Royal Rumble while she was on the SD roster. And we’ll never forget that iconic moment with blood on her face as she stood amongst the crowd on Raw before Survivor Series.

#3 The New Day

Okay. I cheated here and got three guys in one spot but it’s my list so I can do anything. The New Day spent a good chunk of the brand split on Smackdown Live and they kept proving that they’re far from a stale act. The New Day held the Tag Team titles multiple times and Kofi is having the run of his life. In the build up to Wrestlemania, the New Day were the hottest baby faces with the whole world behind Kofi. They also had the feud of the year with the Usos and put on tag team classics in that feud. We also got the dream match of the Shield vs the New Day at Survivor Series which didn’t disappoint at all. Though they achieved massive success on Raw as well but their work on Smackdown outweighs their work on Raw.

#2 The Usos

The Uso penitentiary became synonymous with Smackdown Live for a long time during their incredible run. The Usos achieved a level of tag team finesse which was reminiscent of the era of the Dudleys, Hardys and E&C. From their promo skills to their in-ring skills, everything skyrocketed with their new gimmicks. Thanks to this run, they elevated from a good tag team to one of the best tag teams in the world. They won the tag titles multiple times. They had intense feuds with the likes of the New Day and had great comedy matches as well with Breezango. And let’s never forget their infamous Rap Battle with the New Day. The Usos carried the tag team division of the show for years and managed to keep it interesting all this while. And once they moved to Raw in 2019, we all felt the void that was left in the division.

#1 AJ Styles

AJ Styles defied all expectations and showed that Vince could trust a guy from the Indies. His lengthy run with the WWE championship was a really good one. His feuds with Rusev, Shinsuke, Orton, Bryan, Lesnar ( the list will keep going) we’re all very memorable. Styles etched his name in the Smackdown history and his name comes up with Smackdown OGs like the Undertaker, Edge and Rey Mysterio. Heck! He stole the show with Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania. AJ Styles was the top guy that Smackdown needed. He had great matches with literally everyone (even Jinder Mahal) and everyone who stepped in the ring with him only got elevated (except for Nakamura maybe). He was such an important part of Smackdown Live that when he left for Raw in the draft of 2019, his exit felt like a hero’s farewell.

What are your thoughts about this list? Who would be in your list?

I’d be really grateful if you spread the word about this blog.

– Methane

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