11 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (3 Sept)

4. Rowan's Rampage

Rowan Daniel Bryan Roman Reigns
WWE.com

Eyes rolled as Daniel Bryan demanded another Roman Reigns apology via social media this weekend, particularly after the mixed creative response to the development that after all that fuss, Rowan was, indeed, behind the recent attacks on 'The Big Dog.'

Last week's episode concluded with Reigns Spearing the sh*t out of Bryan. This week, Bryan came out for a promo in the main event spot, claiming that while people might not respect him and his views, he's no liar, and he wanted Roman to make good for calling him one. This didn't happen. Reigns came out but was immediately attacked by Rowan, who took him all the way down to the ring. After Clawslamming his esteemed, Rowan grabbed a microphone and got all angry, saying the joke was on Reigns and Bryan couldn't control him.

The brawl spilled outside. Reigns was blasted with the steps and Rowan cleared the announce table, prompting Bryan to get in his face. A communication breakdown followed. Like last week, Daniel slapped Rowan hard, but unlike last week, the former Bludgeon Brother clapped back, slamming the former WWE Champion through the table, screaming "nobody tells me what to do! Never again!".

Something's going on here. Perhaps the whole thing's an elaborate hoax on Bryan's behalf, given how tight his relationship was with Rowan before all this, or maybe WWE are just trying to elevate the big man. Either way, it got the programme back on track for this viewer.

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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.