3 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 6)
Downs...
4. Pardon The Interruption
This week's show kicked off with the women. A refreshing change, particularly given the way Charlotte Flair & co. have been marginalised on the blue brand this year, and the Women's Champion's back and forth with Ruby Riott was enjoyable.
The challenger spat nothing we haven't already heard. She talked about Charlotte's lineage as a shortcut to success, and Flair, of course, shot her down. Textbook stuff for 'The Queen,' but it all makes sense within the context of the feud, and there was a pressing need to add head to this rather tepid Fastlane match-up. Fortunately, this segment was moderately successful in doing so.
This should have made it an Up, but the ending stank. The interactions were cut off when Charlotte's Mixed Match Challenge partner, Bobby Roode, hit the ring ahead of Randy Orton's bout with Jinder Mahal, and that was it. No explanation, no exposition - nothing. It was extremely jarring, and while the idea of Roode coming to Charlotte's aid does make sense, this hard cut made for a ropey start to the show.