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

8. Welcome Back

The New Day
WWE.com

As dull, repetitive, and copy/paste as Raw and SmackDown's post-Wild Card opening segments have become, last night's was at least fun. Big E's "Welcome Back" ceremony had enough laughs and personality to transcend the basic writing, and it began with a case of mistaken identity.

Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston's introduction yielded an imposter who, in Woods' words, "looked like Big E got left in the dryer." He peaced out as The New Day threw pancakes at him, before the real E showed up with heavy strapping around his recovering left knee, leading to the usual banter segment from WWE's premier trio.

The celebrations were cut short when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn emerged, with the latter complaining about his lack of return party after re-emerging the night after WrestleMania. KO bailed, leaving Sami with the babyfaces, and with Zayn spitting hot bile at Booy Os, pancakes, and The New Day themselves, it was an enjoyable time.

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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.