3 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sept 19)

Just when you thought Jinder Mahal couldn't get any worse...

Jinder Mahal Singh Brothers
WWE.com

Last week’s SmackDown was a strong offering from a brand that has clearly declined in 2017. Two of the three big title matches delivered, and Kevin Owens’ assault of Vince McMahon went over huge, generating an immense amount of buzz for the blue brand, and popping one of the year’s highest ratings.

Unfortunately, last night’s follow up was devoid of such highlights. It presented a handful of enjoyable segments, but nothing came close to touching the previous show’s best moments. The highs were modest, but the lows were devastating, leading to an episode that ended with a relatively even Ups-to-Downs ratio, but was a major net negative overall.

Owens and Shane McMahon followed up on last week’s mayhem, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal once again addressed Shinsuke Nakamura, and Dolph Ziggler’s mockery continued. Elsewhere, Charlotte Flair returned to TV, Baron Corbin’s ritual humiliation persisted, and the women’s division became a revolving door once more.

While not a historically bad show, this was exactly the kind of episode that has seen SmackDown fall behind Raw this year. Let’s take a look at what dragged it to such a level...

Downs…

4. Corbin Loses Without Losing

Baron Corbin AJ STyles
WWE.com

AJ Styles had a simple response to the Kevin Owens/Vince McMahon situation. Having spent the last few months warring with KO, last night saw ‘The Phenomenal One’ warn him of the consequences of his actions without actually making a direct threat. It was a brief moment, but a nice, logical touch, and one that makes the show fuller, with an uninvolved party putting SD’s biggest storyline over.

Styles then turned his sights to Baron Corbin, who he was set to face for the United States Title. Unfortunately, the match never got started. ‘The Lone Wolf’ attacked AJ during the announcement, Tye Dillinger made the save, and the scene closed with Baron tapping out to a Calf Crusher.

Corbin didn’t technically “lose,” but he sure looked like a loser. This was just a way for WWE to make the US Title contender look like a fool without adding another loss to his record, and while the company have tried to heat Baron up again in recent weeks, segments like this only prevent him from moving forward. Ill-advised and ill-conceived, this escapade did nothing for anyone.

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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.