5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Oct 27 - Results & Review)
3. Chemistry For Days
John Cena and Paul Heyman were f*cking stunning on the mic there.
The way Cena let fans rally behind him by showing fragility was expert-level promo work. This definitely wasn't "Super Cena". It was an ageing veteran who's self-aware enough to realise his best days are behind him, and that has captured people's hearts. Vulnerable John = the way to go from now on.
Heyman's manipulative crap, which reared its ugly head deeper into the segment, was temporarily shelved so he could earnestly praise Cena for a Hall Of Fame career. At one point, Paul seemed legit disturbed that John bloody Cena (of all people) could be standing mid-ring doubting himself.
That was all a ruse to soften up Cena for Solo Sikoa's attack. What a wonderful piece of business from beginning to end this was. Cena's humanity, Heyman's honesty that quickly turned back to manipulation, and Solo's brutality sold the coming Crown Jewel match brilliantly.