WWE does not always bring ideas from online / streaming interview programs Raw talk and Talking Smack in the television programs they support. But in another sign of the superiority of the blue mark, lately they seem to be tying Smash for your post-show.
Case in point, Apollo Crews. After losing the chance to win the Big E Intercontinental title last Friday, Talking Smack co-host Paul Heyman did not hesitate to explain to the Crews why he failed to win the belt. Heyman also gave Big E some stimulating lectures that seemed to encourage him to run for champion Universal Roman Reigns – whom Paul serves as a special adviser.
It is the kind of interconnected and layered narrative that many of us have long claimed. And continued this week Smash and Talking Smack.
On TV last night (January 15), we saw Apollo sitting under Reigns’ learning tree in his (finally unsuccessful) quest to negotiate the most favorable match for himself in Royal Rumble.
We also saw E resting by the ring while Crews defeated Sami Zayn. The Intercontinental champion was demonstrating the exact attitude towards his friend and challenger that Heyman used to shoot Apollo Talking Smack one week ago.
This continued into the post-show this week, when E & Crews showed up to “debate” before their rematch next Friday. Each respectful man talked about why they would win, which did not go well with Heyman. He wanted the hatred of the two men and, in an effort to obtain it, asked why the champion never invited Apollo to join the success of the New Day. next week. Crews, however, said that Heyman was right …
With losses increasing for Jey Uso, and seeing how Heyman is labeled E as a threat to Reigns, the Tribal Chief and his consigliere appear to be recruiting Crews for the herd. There has also been a lot of talk about the Apollo family lately, and we know how central that is to Roman’s heel character …
Do they have a long-term plan in mind for the former US champion or are they just temporarily manipulating him to mess with E? If he lines up with them permanently, what does that mean for Jey? Uce never seems to do exactly what his cousin wants from him. Where does Jimmy Uso come into the picture whenever he is allowed to return?
We will have to keep watching Smash – and Talking Smack – to discover.