3 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Oct 3)

2. Squash Match City

Aiden English Randy Orton
WWE.com

Another brief squash match that accomplished everything it needed to, Aiden English vs. Randy Orton was set up last week, when 'The Viper' interrupted Rusev's 'Pride Of Bulgaria' celebration. As 'The Bulgarian Brute's' newfound sidekick, English not only sang his homeland's national anthem, but was midway through belting out a song specifically written for the occasion when Orton rudely attacked with an RKO, then gave Rusev the same treatment.

There was no revenge for 'The Drama King'. He had Rusev in his corner, but English was flattened in little over a minute, and Orton quickly put him away with an awesome looking pop-up RKO. Orton is one of the most decorated wrestlers in the company, and Aiden is an enhancement talent, so there was no need for anything more substantial.

Rusev tried to attack after the bell, but Orton spun around, cutting him off. They go into Hell In A Cell at a stalemate, and while Randy will likely go over on Sunday, we can at least hope WWE give them the time to work a decent match. A repeat of Rusev's squash SummerSlam loss will do him no favours whatsoever, but a strong performance in defeat will at least let him leave the show with a shred of dignity intact.

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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.