5 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Dec 26)
4. Roode Health
Baron Corbin could stand to lose an awful lot less than he does, but 'The Lone Wolf' had one of his best nights of the year against Bobby Roode even if it meant yet another examination of the arena lights.
Alongside Dolph Ziggler, Corbin and Roode's United States Title triple threat was the best match on an utterly woeful Clash Of Champions card, but Ziggler's inclusion was credited heaviest for the excitement. Roode's old school style is an acquired taste, whilst Corbin's strengths rarely show themselves unless paired with a superlative superworker.
This spirited tournament opener for the now-vacant United States Championship was an ideal knock-back to the long-held criticisms of both. Perhaps due to being so good as a sneering heel, 'The Glorious One's exceptional work as a sympathetic babyface often goes unnoticed, but he was dynamic on defence here, exquisitely timing his comebacks to drag intensity kicking and screaming out of his larger foe.
A roll-up win for Roode against the run of play was, for a change, the right call too. As a former champion without a proper rematch, Corbin is a wronged man, but has been beaten by a better man nonetheless. This affords him the requisite level of bitterness and bile as he presumably plays merry hell about his mistreatment.