12 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (13 Aug)

Reigns battles Murphy, Owens vs. Shane rumbles on.

Randy Orton
WWE.com

A few bum months aside, SmackDown's quality has genuinely outdone Raw's since WWE brought the brand split back in 2016. It isn't reflected in the viewership, but for the most part, the former 'Land of Opportunity' is a sharper, easier-to-watch show with a far higher floor than the flagship. While it might not always blow you away, SD rarely makes you feel like you've wasted two hours.

The dynamic has shifted somewhat in recent weeks. Mondays have been excellent since the erratic Raw Reunion, pressuring SmackDown to maintain its spot atop the main roster pile. Fortunately, Team Blue's heads remain above the rising tide, and last night was a roaring success.

This excellent show was once again built largely around the Roman Reigns whodunit saga, not only giving us 'The Big Dog' vs. Buddy Murphy, but also strong, strong rebuttals from Daniel Bryan and Rowan. Elsewhere, there were continuations of the Randy Orton/Kofi Kingston and Shane McMahon/Kevin Owens feuds, fresh opponents for Xavier Woods and Big E, and a mouthwatering Ember Moon vs. Charlotte Flair throwdown.

The criticisms, once again, are minor. SmackDown ruled last night. Let's hope the Clash of Champions build stays this strong...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.