10 Things We Learned From The Post-Backlash WWE SmackDown (May 23)
7. Committee Booking
The Welcoming Committee have been the most soundly booked stable in WWE since their formation shortly after April's 'Superstar Shake-up'. Relatively protected against superior individal babyfaces Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Naomi, the group's unity overcame their solo limitations, and a victory in Backlash's six-women tag built on their steady growth.
Leave it to this chronic edition of the broadcast to squander all that, as Becky and Charlotte got by Natalya and Carmella with relative ease after Lynch tapped the 'Princess of Staten Island' out with the Dis-Arm-Her. But then, of course she did. She submitted in Natalya's Sharpshooter on Sunday, so WWE's token revival was more of a mandatory requirement than a creative next move.
Furthermore, the finish came as Naomi diffused James Ellsworth's distraction, advantaging the babyfaces with Welcoming Committee member Tamina nowhere to be found. Inverse booking logic left the supposedly robust heels completely exposed and at the mercy of the competent, established heroes after weeks of utilising their unity to get results. Thus, they've effectively learned nothing.
It was a deflating climax to a passable match, but with a fresh title pairing due following next week's multi-woman match, the division can hopefully return to former glory and apply more consideration to the longterm ramifications for the delicately-balanced personas.