2 Ups & 6 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Dec 5)

5. Screaming Into The Abyss

There was nothing positive about the way SmackDown's women's division was booked last night, and it started with the worst kind of crowded segment.

The bulk of the group gathered backstage and proceeded to engage in a lengthy screaming battle, with each struggling to make their voice heard over the others. General Manager Daniel Bryan was the victim. He was made to listen to Carmella, Tamina (via Lana), and Ruby Riott stake their claim for a title shot. Sarah Logan stated Bryan was prejudiced against people from the south. Liv Morgan said the GM was "too into brunettes" to give her an opportunity. It was a mess.

Bryan cut through the noise, then turned Charlotte and Natalya's Clash of Champions bout into a lumberjack match, ensuring it won't be good at all. It gets everyone on the show, but this stipulation rarely delivers in WWE. Expect disappointment on 17 December.

The segment was borderline unwatchable. WWE presented the women as an out of control, uncivilised rabble, furthering the problematic "these girls are crazy" narrative in a way that drags us away from the so-called 'Revolution,' and back towards Attitude/Ruthless Aggression-esque crassness.

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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.