WWE SmackDown Fallout: Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso Rolls On, Sami Zayn Shines, More

SmackDown has steadily improved since SummerSlam ended with Roman Reigns' return. However, Friday's edition was a mixed bag.

The highs were certainly high. Sami Zayn is on a career-defining roll as WWE intercontinental champion. He defeated Jeff Hardy in a great main event clash.

Jey Uso got a second chance at glory as Roman Reigns offered him another WWE Universal Championship match. He put an exclamation mark on his status as No. 1 contender by defeating AJ Styles.

However, the lows were disappointingly low. A few squash matches did not land well, especially the way that John Morrison was unceremoniously defeated by Otis.

Carmella officially announced herself as the woman behind the vignettes. Her new look does not inspire confidence, but the hope is that she can recapture the magic that made her SmackDown women's champion in 2018.

SmackDown set the stage for the big shows to come before the WWE draft on the next edition could redefine the blue brand.

Sami Zayn Has Only Just Begun the Best Run of His WWE Career

Sami Zayn tossed the WWE Intercontinental Championship that Jeff Hardy once held in the trash. He was unable to deal with The Charismatic Enigma so easily. However, he managed to expose the turnbuckle before the match and used it to seal the win.

The Critic of the Critics has stolen the show twice in five days. He shone the brightest of the three combatants in the ladder match at Clash of Champions, and on SmackDown, he gave Hardy the best singles match he has had in years.

It was a straightforward title fight focused on the exposed turnbuckle, making the contest feel old-school. While Zayn dominated the action, he was able to make it feel like Hardy had turned back the clock. The action was fast and exciting with a perfectly executed story.

Before 2020, Zayn was mostly a manager. He worked on the sidelines. His time out of the ring has helped him heal up, and he looks better than ever.

While SmackDown may be focused on Roman Reigns, the true WWE intercontinental champion could end up having just as important a title reign in regard to the show's future. Assuming Zayn stays on the blue brand following the draft, that is.

Jey Uso Can Turn 2nd Shot at Roman Reigns into a Sustained Single Run

Roman Reigns called out Jey Uso, who refused to call him The Tribal Chief. The Big Dog gave him another Universal Championship match but with a grave cost that he whispered to Jey. AJ Styles then challenged Jey to prove his worth. The tag team performer defeated The Phenomenal One clean with an Uso splash.

Clash of Champions looked like a one-and-done match for Jey, but the story here was perfect to sell a rematch. The Tribal Chief wants Jey to bend the knee or leave the family. He will do anything to get that. Jey, meanwhile, has a new-found confidence that makes him feel ready to win the big one.

Even if Jey is certain to lose at Hell in a Cell on Oct. 25, he could prove himself long term over this next month. A victory over Styles is huge. It proves that this is more than a one-off run. WWE is ready to treat Jey like a singles competitor.

Give him matches against top talent and let him win to further establish him as a star.

The Tribal Chief is using his clout to show off his cousin's talent, and the supposed tag team-exclusive Superstar has exceeded all expectations. Hell in a Cell could change his career forever.

John Morrison Deserves So Much Better

John Morrison was not ready for the motivated Otis. Mr. Money in the Bank steamrolled The Shaman of Sexy, connecting on the Caterpillar and a Vader Bomb to win in less than two minutes.

The potential of Morrison's return to WWE had many excited. He won championships in multiple promotions after leaving the company in 2011. He was treated like an absolute star, showing serious improvement in the ring and especially on the mic.

Instead, The Shaman of Sexy's second run has been a disaster. He and The Miz have been repeatedly embarrassed together. Their SmackDown Tag Team Championship run was cut short. Since then, Miz and Morrison have been treated as a joke.

The Otis story only solidified that. Losing to Otis is fine given he is Mr. Money in the Bank. However, it should not be possible for a prospective future world champion to lose in two minutes flat to the Heavy Machinery star.

The lawsuit angle will hopefully end on the next SmackDown before this story concludes with the WWE draft. Perhaps then Morrison and Miz can refocus to plan out a better future.

Carmella Gets a New Chance to Prove Herself

Carmella officially revealed that she was behind the series of videos on SmackDown. She denounced the fans, promising to finally take what she deserved. The Princess of Staten Island threw away her previous nickname, calling herself "untouchable."

While most figured out Carmella was behind the vignettes weeks ago, the reveal opens up the opportunity to start looking forward. The former Ms. Money in the Bank used to be one of WWE's top female performers.

While some questioned her in-ring ability, she clearly improved over her time as SmackDown women's champion. WWE soured on her despite her improvement, and she has been a side note too often since her face turn.

This reboot could be exactly what Carmella needs. She can return to her roots as the trash-talking heel. While it feels unnecessary to throw away her unique look for a classic dress, anything is better than nothing.

WWE needs women to step up. Some of this requires given them opportunities. Carmella has a massive chance to write her name alongside the women's division stalwarts. She just needs to show why she became a champion during her previous heel run.