10 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 29)

4. Andrade Kills Mysterio

Andrade Zelina Vega Rey Mysterio
WWE.com

Andrade's ongoing feud with Rey Mysterio continues to be one of the most enjoyable storylines in the company. Built on competition, this professional rivalry has already delivered two outstanding TV bouts. It's based around little more than two wrestlers who want to outdo the other. There's no fancy angle, no pantomime bullsh*t, and no extra fluff, and that's refreshing.

Mysterio came out in the first hour, though he was quickly interrupted by Zelina Vega. She spat braggadocio at the masked legend, allowing her charge to attack from behind, and the suit-clad Andrade bludgeoned Rey. Mocking Rey with Eddie Guerrero's Three Amigos, Andrade was almost thwarted with a suplex and 619, but he blocked Mysterio's signature move, continued the beatdown, and downed him with the Hammerlock DDT.

The producers made sure the WrestleMania logo was in the background as Andrade and Vega posed over Rey's fallen corpse. A final showdown between these two at the 'Showcase Of The Immortals' sounds riveting, though we'd settle for any pay-per-view stage that gives them 20-25 minutes of uninterrupted ring-time, and no instructions other than "have a great match."

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.