6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Sept 23)
Sami Zayn gets acceptance; WWE sets up Extreme Rules; Maximum Male Models split?
WWE should just rename SmackDown 'The Sami Zayn Show' and be done with it.
Nobody is shining brighter than ol' Sam Zayn (Kofi Kingston must be so proud) on TV these days. His over-the-top performances are a weekly highlight, and he's brilliant when bouncing off potentially psychotic heels like Roman Reigns and Jey Uso; whilst also endearing himself to Jimmy, Solo Sikoa and the entire fanbase at large.
Triple H's top two goals on this week's Smackers? Further Zayn's Bloodline excursion and set up what's to come next month at Extreme Rules. Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross lined up a fun gimmick bout for that pay-per-view, then brawled like they'd been possessed by the sprit of Dusty Rhodes.
Even a wonky fireball spot couldn't stop this from reaching for the stars, and that says it all.
SmackDown hasn't been flawless since Trips took charge, but things do click better on the whole. If only the company would realise they don't need to try and shove short matches down fan gullets though - there were a few unnecessary scraps on Friday night.
Here's all the good and bad.