10 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 21)

3. Making The Most Of It

Sami Zayn Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

While Kofi Kingston vs. Sami Zayn was hampered by a restrictive eight-minute runtime, it's impossible to fault the wrestlers themselves. They did everything in their power to make it work, and their efforts elevated what could have been a routine, run-of-the-mill TV bout to a different level.

A fired up WWE Champion started hard and fast. An adrenaline-fuelled blitz saw Sami poot on the back foot immediate, before Zayn, the dastardly bastard, bundled Kofi out of the ring. Kingston at the steps, then a flurry of punches, but fired back between the ropes, with his dropkick leading into the ad break. Afterwards, we got a Superplex for a two-count, a countered Helluva Kick, the former 'Underdog From The Underground' working his way out of Trouble In Paradise, then eventually eating it for the defeat.

It was good to see Kingston pick up yet another clean victory over solid opposition, as has been the theme throughout his reign so far. WWE are doing a fine job of presenting him as a fighting champion.

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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.