10 Ups & 7 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Feb 19)

5. A Forced Turn

The Usos
WWE.com

Jimmy and Jey Uso are fine heels, so the SmackDown Tag Team Champions returning to the darkside isn't a problem in itself. The way WWE have handled it most certainly is, however, with The Usos seemingly going heel on a whim for the sake of furthering the ongoing Shane McMahon/The Miz programme.

It feels forced and unnatural. WWE pulled it out of nowhere, turning the duo "just because," and while Jimmy and Jey cut a fine promo on Miz & Mac last night (and will continue as one of the best things on SmackDown whenever they're featured), it isn't sitting right at the moment. These "champions" are no more than pawns in an authority figure storyline.

Turns and storylines should serve each other; here, it's one-sided, with the turn only serving the story. Let's hope the writing team clean this thing up as the weeks progress.

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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.