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

Ups...

2. Happy Rusev Day

Aiden English Rusev
WWE.com

On a night with few notable highlights, Rusev and Aiden English's tag victory over The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Big E was highly enjoyable, and the biggest moment of the wildly entertaining double-act's short run together.

It was a standard midcard match. The format saw the heels cut off the babyfaces, work an elongated control segment, before The New Day fought back, with Big E running wild on his opponents. His hot tag wasn't enough to seal the deal, though: E was pulled outside by Rusev, and slammed into the steps. Kingston hit 'The Bulgarian Brute' with a dive, but Rusev regained control when they took the action back into the ring, putting the high-flier away with a huge Superkick.

Rusev and English's victory was surprising, as neither man has done much more than put others over throughout the course of the year. It's great, though. The tag division can't coast on The New Day vs. Usos forever. New blood is welcome, and with these guys, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, and The Bludgeon Brothers on the scene, things look very healthy indeed.

The win saw Rusev and English thrust into Clash of Champions' SmackDown Tag Title match, turning it into a four-way. Here's hoping they aren't just there to eat the pinfall.

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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.