5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (10 July - Results & Review)
2. Is Everyone Just Neutered Around Here?!
Oh boy, that talking segment with Jimmy Uso, Jacob Fatu and Royce Keys was borderline painful. Nobody gives a toss about whether Keys is welcome in The Bloodline or not. Also, Fatu looks totally less-than. What happened here? He was one of the hottest babyfaces in the company mere months ago, and now he’s relegated to getting snippy about Roman Reigns when the 'OTC' isn't even present.
Keys was the best thing about this, because he finally got some in-ring mic time. However, all of this posturing over who said what about Roman is lame and makes these guys seem like afterthoughts the more they do it. Previously, the idea that Fatu and Royce are great buddies blindsided the watching audience, and WWE hasn't done enough to make it believable that Jacob would turn his back on actual family like Jimmy to semi-side with Keys.
Basically, the biggest problem here is that the entire deal is woefully bland and underbaked. The Usos keep harping on about visiting SmackDown so they can speak to Solo Sikoa, then Solo outsmarts them in some way whilst still getting some heel reactions. It's all over the place, and it's becoming a weekly nightmare WWE TV can't wake up from.
Does Triple H genuinely think this is compelling television?! That'd be a surprise, but he's the one who keeps rubber stamping these segments every week. The plan here was to give Keys some mic time and develop his character. Cool, but please do that with an interesting storyline attached. It isn't much to ask.