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

1. Trampling The Trolls

The fact that this textbook in-ring opening segment was SmackDown's biggest highlight should tell you everything you need to know about this pitiful show. The whole night was defined by poorly executed formulas, but this confrontation was logical, and furthered several key plot points in the ongoing Zayn and Owens vs. the world storyline.

It started with the dastardly duo themselves. They went over their ingenuity in outfoxing Shane McMahon and his unfathomably stupid no DQs/no interferences stipulation the previous week, than trashed the Commissioner in typically condescending style. This drew out Randy Orton, the victim of the previous show's shenanigans. He slithered into the ring and RKO'd Owens Outta Nowhere™, before Shane arrived, booking the trio in a Clash Of Champions tag bout.

Sami vs. Randy was booked for later in the evening, with Owens handcuffed to the ring. Far from perfect, but significantly less dimwitted than last week.

Not an exciting segment, but one that, at the very least, made sense within the context of the story. The Zayn and Owens' troll act is tremendous, too. They elevate every single segment they're involved with, and while losing at Clash Of Champions will see them "fired" from WWE, the company would be insane to remove them from their current spotlight.