5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Oct 8)
Downs...
5. So Much For That
Michael Cole announced that 'King' Nakamura had "abdicated" his crown before SmackDown "out of respect to the King Of The Ring tournament". Eh? Why would he do that, and why did WWE think this'd get fans excited to see the next crowning?
One picture, of Naka handing his crown to Adam Pearce, washed away any hopes of seeing a 'King vs. King' rivalry post-tourney. Also, why didn't they just put Shinsuke in the brackets to tease him retaining the title of 'King'? So many questions, so few answers.
This was a puzzling decision.
It hardly inspires confidence in this year's KOTR winner that the crown went from Baron Corbin to Nakamura and then into nothingness. Some fans won't like the thought that this means the tournament victor will defo be handed the hokey royal gimmick again either.