9 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Dec 11)

Downs...

3. Where Were You, AJ?

AJ Styles Promo
WWE

AJ Styles cut a Very Okay promo prior to the night's main event, claiming nobody wanted to beat the hell out of Daniel Bryan more than him, and that while he had to wait until Sunday to do so, he'll do whatever it takes to regain the WWE Championship at TLC.

The delivery was fine, but the content? Eh...

'The Phenomenal One' stood backstage all night. Not only did he let Bryan cut another hateful diatribe at the top of the show, but he was totally idle as his pay-per-view opponent destroyed poor Mustafa Ali's knee. One would think this should be enough to prompt Styles into action. Alas, AJ decided to chill in his safe space instead, allowing the f*ckery to go unchecked. Why? Because he doesn't want to give Daniel Bryan an excuse at TLC, apparently. B*llocks.

Styles didn't necessarily need to get his hands dirty, but him running Daniel off would've fit with his narrative. Instead, his inaction compromised his supposed pay-per-view determination. Regardless, their match has the potential to be an absolute, stone-cold classic.

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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.