11 Ups & 7 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jun 18)

3. In Spite Of Everything Else...

Seth Rollins
WWE.com

... the main event was rather swell.

The first fall came as a big surprise. Kofi Kingston blasted Sami Zayn with Trouble In Paradise almost as soon as the bell went, scoring the quick 1-2-3. It was a short, sharp, shock, and while a tad unrealistic, it at least shook things up from the typical format.

That typical format emerged soon after, but the wrestling was strong. Of course it was. These guys are four of the best in the entire company, and they did well to maintain a quick pace through a solid back-and-forth layout, with the looming threat of Brock Lesnar an issue as Paul Heyman watched it unfold on a backstage monitor.

The heels almost took the second fall, with Owens rolling up a distracted Rollins. 'The Beast Slayer' kicked out, however, then countered the Pop-Up Powerbomb, hit a Superkick, and completed the flurry with an enzuigiri and the Stomp, completing a successful night.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.