5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (3 May - Results & Review)
WWE's Bullet Club nod was anything but "Too Sweet" over in France pre-Backlash.
This week's SmackDown was always going to be a glorified pre-show for Backlash. Anyone who attended the thing probably knew that beforehand, and WWE themselves have started shrugging knowing shoulders by offering combo packages for SmackDown and the following evening's PLE. You might've spotted some spirited erm...chat about the upcoming Scottish dates on social media.
Regardless of any house show-esque feel to the card layout, France was ready for some WWE. Lyon's lively crowd bodes well for Backlash on Saturday night, but the rowdy, party-like atmosphere did step on creative's toes just a little bit. They fancied one of those wink and a nod "insider" moments by referencing New Japan's Bullet Club and the part both AJ Styles and Cody Rhodes played in the group's success.
It didn't really work.
Other issues included the 2024 Draft (a concept that has literally just finished!) looking anything but important, and a WWE Tag-Team Title bout that honestly could've been way better. On the plus side, tensions in the women's division helped massively, and the ongoing Bloodline mutiny provided some fun.
Here's all the good and bad from Triple H's last TV hurdle before Backlash.