5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (April 8)
WWE sets up a huge rematch; Roman Reigns steps down; NXT stars debut on SmackDown.
If you thought WWE would move on from WrestleMania fever, then think again.
The promotion's next pay-per-view is 'Mania Backlash, and that means "WrestleMania season" (at least in the creative team's minds) has been extended beyond the big weekender itself. Anyone expecting a card full of repeats for Backlash should also think twice - a few rematches will happen, but some major stars have already moved on from business in Dallas.
Roman Reigns, for example, has a fresh opponent post-Brock Lesnar. Sadly for everyone, WWE's pick falls short of the star power that 'Cowboy' Brock brought to the SmackDown party over the past few months. It's actually quite a baffling one, and only seems to be happening because Rick Boogs went down with an injury last week.
Questionable reasons for title shots seems to be a rule of thumb around these parts. Someone...random is getting a crack at Ricochet's Intercontinental belt next week too. On the plus side, at least those writers had the sense to tack on a bumper stipulation for Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair II (III?) come Backlash.
Here are all the 'Ups' and 'Downs'...