Kofi Deserved Better, Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez, WWE SmackDown Fallout

It's a new day. Yes, it is. Fox rolled out the red carpet for SmackDown's debut on Fox on Friday night, and it felt like everyone was watching.

With bright lights, a new stage and fresh production, this came off like a bold new product that separated itself impressively from the show WWE has come to be known for.

Cramming a massive event into two hours, though, meant the blue brand took quite a few shortcuts along the way. Some wrestlers did not even get entrances. Matches barely got going before they were over.

It will be a learning process as WWE works with Fox to bring together a product both sides are happy with. The early returns were an impressive sight but a mixed bag.

From the results of Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar and Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon to the appearances of The Rock and Tyson Fury, Friday's edition of SmackDown made an impact.

Kofi Kingston Deserved So Much Better

Kofi Kingston talked up how important it was to prove himself against Brock Lesnar. However, once the bell rang, he walked into the F5 and an immediate three-count, ending the match in a mere nine seconds.

For 180 days, Kofi was the WWE champion. During that time, he defeated many of his greatest rivals. While his matches were not always outstanding, the presentation made him feel special, elevating him to a level he had never reached before.

If a major heel were going to ruin his moment, it needed to be exceptional. The villain had to push him to his limit and perhaps cheat at every turn to overcome him. That did not happen. Instead, Kofi's six months as champion were wiped out in seconds.

It is rare that a babyface titleholder is more or less universally accepted by a crowd for that much time. It takes a special star, one who has fought through adversity and proved they are deserving of such treatment.

Kofi represented a locker room of hard-working guys just looking for an opportunity; Lesnar, as always, represented the guy who gets every opportunity. It's the same old song and dance, with a different guy suffering for the sake of the big man.

Obviously, Fox wanted Lesnar as champion. It gets people talking and puts a recognizable face on the brand. There is no reason The Beast had to become champion like this. He did not have to wipe out all of Kofi's momentum in seconds.

Hopefully, this is not the end for The New Day member. If things fall apart for Lesnar quickly, perhaps Kofi will regain the championship sooner rather than later. It will not make up for this moment, but it is not impossible given what happened after the new WWE champion was crowned.

Cain Velasquez Could Be a Massive Signing for WWE but Not as a Former MMA Star

As Brock Lesnar was celebrating his title victory, Rey Mysterio's music hit. The WWE legend came out in a sling, flanked by Cain Velasquez. The former MMA fighter, who dethroned The Beast Incarnate in UFC, sent Lesnar running up the ramp.

WWE has never been averse to bringing in former UFC stars. While Lesnar was a WWE star first, Ronda Rousey made her name in UFC before becoming WWE's featured woman. Velasquez has been presented in a similar fashion.

It may be the right move for Valesquez's immediate future to play up his history with Lesnar, but he created buzz when he entered a wrestling ring for the first time recently by working a much different style. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide brought in the MMA star to work as a luchador, and he did.

For his size, he has impressive athleticism and a growing array of moves in his arsenal. He's not just another guy who is going to be best served throwing punches and hitting suplexes. In fact, his appearance on SmackDown, punching Lesnar, made it seem like he had no idea what he was doing.

Velasquez has a long way to go to be a true WWE star. He's green in the ring, and working with The Beast won't help that. If he puts it all together, he could be great, working a heavyweight style more akin to Lesnar in his younger days.

Fans may or may not buy into Velasquez at first. He was sent to immediately embarrass Lesnar after The Beast had embarrassed the WWE champion. It's a huge spotlight for a guy who doesn't have a lot of charisma. He needs to show what he does well and show it quickly to succeed.

Becky Lynch Is Going to Be a Big Part of SmackDown on Fox

Credit: WWE.com

Becky Lynch opened the show in the debut of SmackDown on Fox to talk about how important the blue brand has been to her. King Corbin interrupted to try to steal the spotlight, but The Rock took exception. He and The Man traded jabs at Corbin before beating him down together.

The appearance of The Most Electrifying Man was a hugely hyped moment. Giving that spotlight as much to Lynch as The Rock was a massive statement. With fresh audiences tuning in, many were shown who the new top star in WWE is.

Much like WWE brought in The Rock to put over Roman Reigns (though far more successful this time around), the company knew what it would mean for The Man to work alongside movie star Dwayne Johnson. It's a passing of the torch moment.

Fox wants the biggest and best stars on the blue brand, and this felt like a clear sign that Lynch will be an early draft pick for SmackDown. Beyond Brock Lesnar and Reigns, she has to be the biggest cornerstone for the brand.

She should help lead the women's division forward on Fox. It will just be a matter of how committed the brand is to women's wrestling. As great as The Man is, it's not just about her. She can be the leader, but the talent beyond her has to be able to stand out.

Shane McMahon's Reign of Terror Has Finally Ended

Kevin Ownes and Shane McMahon brutalized each other in their ladder match. After The Best in the World elbowed KO through the announce table and The Prizefighter frog-splashed Shane through a ladder, the chaotic rush ended with Shane powerbombed on to a ladder.

Owens took down the contract before firing Shane O'Mac and stunning him for good measure. This was a cathartic moment after months of terrible booking. Heel Shane was far too involved in everything.

It was a surprise that no one came to his aid along the way. Drew McIntyre has disappeared from television, and Elias may still be injured. However, there are many others who had helped The Best in the World along the way and were nowhere to be seen.

That may just come down to rushed booking, which was obvious throughout the night, but it did make the match better. Shane and KO did not wrestle as much as repeatedly hit each with ladders before throwing each other through ladders.

Having KO beat The Best in the World at his own game by surviving and punishing him felt like the right move. Hopefully, Shane stays off TV for a while or at least long enough to allow everyone to move on from his overbearing presence.

Tyson Fury May Be Stepping into a WWE Ring Soon

Credit: WWE.com

Braun Strowman got into it with one of the best boxers around, Tyson Fury, even sending Dolph Ziggler into him during an eight-man tag team match. After The Monster Among Men hit a running powerslam on The Showoff for the win, Fury had to be stopped by officials from attacking Strowman.

This was a weird angle to come out of nowhere. Much like WWE bringing in Cain Velasquez, it seems Fox is interested in booking legit fighters. Fury is an active boxer, so he's not coming in full time. He and The Monster could have a fun one-off match, though.

It's good to know WWE still has plans for Strowman. He may continue to fall just short of singles gold, but he's an attraction all on his own. Fans will tune in to see him, especially against a legitimate fighter who matches up to his size somewhat.

This rivalry should take some time to develop before happening at a big event. While Fox will revel in covering this angle, it can't be wasted on an edition of SmackDown. If Fury is stepping into a WWE ring, it has to be at the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania.