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

6. Black Levels Up

Aleister Black Shelton Benjamin
WWE.com

Aleister Black was back on our screens after a few weeks away last night, beginning with one of his trademark darkroom "pick a fight-uh" segments, but things were different this time. Rather than sitting around and wait for "the mountain to come to him," the Dutch striker was finally going to look for it himself, unbuttoning his shirt before heading to the ring.

Shelton Benjamin ended up stepping to Black's "ominous indignation" later in the evening. Their match didn't last long. Though Shelty landed a few slithers of offense, he was largely dominated by Black in a bout designed to highlight the former NXT standouts skills and personality, and Aleister ended up finishing with a flurry and the Black Mass.

This was exactly what it needed to be. Regular readers will know this column has been begging for Black to stand up and do something for months, so this writer is thankful that this went down. Perhaps it signals the Dutchman's evolution into something more assertive.

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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.