4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (6 Feb - Results & Review)
Downs...
5. Need Some US Movement Soon
It blows to put this in the 'Downs', it really does.
There was nothing technically wrong with Carmelo Hayes winning out vs. The Miz (in fact, the match was pretty solid), but it does feel like WWE needs to get moving on something else for Hayes. The ‘Open Challenge’ thing feels like its run its course for now, there’s only so much he can do with Miz, and the same goes for Ilja Dragunov. Perhaps a heel turn for Dragunov would liven things up significantly.
Yeah, think of this as a minor gripe more than anything, ‘cause Hayes is still killing it in-ring. The guy just needs a little more story to work with every week. Miz is one of the most dependable wrestlers in the industry these days, so sticking him in the negatives doesn't sit well either. You've got to call what you see though.
Story is really the king in WWE, and it's fair to say that things need to be fleshed out on that front for Melo. He's been starting to get it together on the main roster, and his babyface turn has worked, but...give the dude a feud, for crying out loud. A real one. One that's a story with a tangible beginning, middle and end.
Trips and pals managed to eat up a fair chunk of time with the 'Open Challenge' bits, but the sad truth is that Hayes missed out on a Royal Rumble spot for a reason. He's booked in TV bouts like creative are formatting house shows, man. Sort it out.