10 Things We Learned From WWE SmackDown (June 6)
1. Dark Arts
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens with the Kinshasa in a ten minute televised main event. Again.
Less than a month on from his in-ring debut, and it seems as though WWE has no earthly idea how to use 'The Artist' on a weekly basis other than by feeding him one of their more over talents with relative assurance that he won't be damaged by the repeated losses.
It's backfiring on both counts. 'The New Face of America' has looked absolutely wretched since regaining the title from former best friend Chris Jericho. His feud with AJ Styles was parked following a dissatisfying count-out victory, and since bullying his way into the Money In The Bank match, he's been selected as fodder for a Nakamura character that already looks over-exposed.
Lots of pre-Backlash hubbub suggested that 'The King of Strong Style' would be kept as a special attraction, but such hopes seem sky high following his repeat performances bulldozing 'KO' ahead of the pair coming together yet again at Money In The Bank.
Seemingly doing the impossible, WWE have simultaneously murdered intrigue in future contests between the two, weakened Owens and diluted the rabid enthusiasm once shown towards the enigmatic former NXT Champion.