10 Ways WWE SmackDown Has Declined In 2017

8. Ineffective Introductions

Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

SmackDown have introduced a bunch of new faces lately, and while Kevin Owens has immediately become one of the show’s biggest stars, the same can’t be said for the NXT call-ups. Once one of NXT’s most popular wrestlers, Tye Dillinger has been introduced via a repetitive feud with Aiden English, and while the angle has let English hone his new gimmick, it has done nothing for Dillinger, who has rarely been allowed to show his personality.

Shinsuke Nakamura, meanwhile, was one of Backlash’s biggest losers. He won his match with Dolph Ziggler, but the bout felt more about ‘The Show-Off’ than ‘The King Of Strong Style,’ and the former NXT Champion absorbed far too much damage from a guy continually portrayed as a lifelong loser. Nakamura’s in-ring debut flopped, and a wrestler who should feel like a marquee attraction is veering dangerously close to becoming just another guy.

This isn’t the first time SD has failed to make good use of former NXT wrestlers, as American Alpha can probably attest. Nakamura remains immensely popular, and there’s plenty of time to right these wrongs, but WWE have done little to expand his and Dillinger’s respective fanbases since bringing them up.

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.