4 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Feb 20)

Downs...

3. Moving In Circles

Baron Corbin AJ Styles
WWE.com

Last night's obligatory in-ring talking segment was okay. Though AJ Styles' joke about Kevin Owens getting a boil (Sami Zayn) lanced of his back was on-pair with the "Kami" bulls*** that has defined his recent mic work, the promos were largely acceptable, and set two decent matches up. The mechanics weren't the problem: fatigue was.

This feud is dull, and hasn't truly progressed in months. It's the same boring talking heads moving in the same boring circles, and represents a gross misuse of some of SmackDown's most talented wrestlers, particularly Styles, whose second WWE Title run has been unengaging in the extreme.

Fastlane is still several weeks away, yet WWE have already burned the audience out on this program, and it's only going to get worse as time passes. Would a meaningful development or two really be too much to ask for, and can we please have less of Baron Corbin in mainline title programs? The man isn't awful, but he's as dry as sandpaper.

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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.