So, you wanna know how I tackle my Smackdown previews, eh? People sometimes ask me if I’ve got a crystal ball or some inside scoop. Nah, nothing like that. It’s more about a system, a little ritual I developed, mostly ’cause I messed up big time once.
See, it wasn’t always like this. I used to just casually watch, maybe read a headline or two, and think I knew what was coming. Then there was this one night, years back. We were all over at my buddy Dave’s place for a pay-per-view, Smackdown was the go-home show that week. I was running my mouth, so sure about how things would play out. So confident, I was. Then, BAM! Complete swerve. A return nobody saw coming, a heel turn that was just chef’s kiss. My predictions? Up in smoke. The guys, they didn’t let me live it down for weeks. I felt like a total chump, sitting there with egg on my face.
That night, I told myself, “Never again.” I wasn’t gonna be the guy who thought he knew, I was gonna be the guy who put in the effort to really see the angles. It sounds dramatic for wrestling, I know, but hey, we all got our things, right?
My Approach to Nailing Those Previews
So, that embarrassment kinda lit a fire under me. My process now, it’s not super complicated, but it’s thorough. Here’s what I usually do:
- Clear the Decks: First thing, I make sure I’ve got some quiet time. No phone buzzing, no half-watching while doing chores. I gotta immerse myself a bit.
- Rewind Time: I re-watch the previous week’s Smackdown. The whole show, not just the highlights. I’m looking for those little things – a glance between wrestlers, a comment that seemed like a throwaway line, crowd reactions. You’d be surprised what you pick up on a second viewing.
- Promo Deep Dive: This is huge. I listen very carefully to the promos. What’s the subtext? What are they really saying? Sometimes the most important stuff is what’s left unsaid, or how a line is delivered. Body language is a big tell.
- Check the Chatter (Carefully): I’ll peek at what folks are saying online, forums, that sort of thing. But I take it all with a massive grain of salt. Lots of noise and wishful thinking out there. Still, sometimes you find a nugget or two that lines up with what you’re sensing.
- Connect the Dots: Then I just think about the current storylines. Who needs momentum? Who’s been feuding? Are there any logical conclusions or shocking twists that would make sense for the narrative WWE is building? I try to think like a booker, just for a bit.
I usually jot down some key thoughts, potential surprises, and the most likely outcomes. It’s not about being 100% right all the time – that’s impossible with pro wrestling. It’s more about understanding the storytelling and enjoying the ride of trying to figure it out.
So yeah, that’s my method. All born from one night of looking like a fool in front of my pals. Funny how things work out. Now, I actually enjoy this whole “preview” process way more than just casually watching. It makes every Smackdown feel a bit more engaging.
