2 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Aug 27)
Ups...
2. Happy Corbin
Some fans out there will be inclined to sh*t all over Baron Corbin's new "Happy" gimmick because it's a Ric Flair-meets-Million Dollar man rip off. This writer implores you not to be so hasty and to give this a chance. Why? Well, Corbin showed some personality here, and the live crowd responded.
This is much better than soft-GM Corbin from a few years back. Much better.
The re-dubbed Happy cut one of his best WWE promos ever during this segment with Big E. He was in control from first minute to last, and he avoided the standard 'heel getting egg on his face' trope for now. That's a good sign that creative fancy making this "Mayor Of Jackpot City" gig something long-term.
It's rather odd to say that a 10-minute Corbin promo was one of only two 'Ups' from SmackDown, but it's true. WWE can definitely squeeze another match out of his issues with E (provided they don't switch the Money In The Bank briefcase again), and it'd be a fine addition to one of SmackDown's next episodes.