10 Ups & 1 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sept 4)

2. Layered Booking

R-Truth The Miz
WWE.com

Another thumbs up to The Miz's ongoing escapades, as WWE are currently in the process of building several different angles around the ongoing Bryan saga.

'The A-Lister's' mainline feud is the biggest and most obvious. Introducing Maryse and Brie Bella was a smart idea that prevents WWE from burning another singles clash, though Brie's botchy in-ring return on Raw didn't exactly set pulses racing. On top of this, there's Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Zelina Vega's involvement, which isn't working to the former NXT Champion's benefit, but adds another wrinkle to Miz vs. Bryan. Then, finally, there was this week's business with R-Truth, even if it was probably just a one-show deal.

WWE rarely indulge in this kind of layered booking. For the most part, wrestlers tend to focus on their immediate opponent and their immediate opponent alone, engaging only in fleeting interactions with other wrestlers. The general pattern suggests that what's currently going on with Miz is an anomaly, but the company could certainly stand to benefit from writing like this more often.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.