12 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (13 Aug)

2. Ember Reignites Against Flair

Ember Moon Charlotte Flair
WWE.com

Two nights removed from a disappointing clash with SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley at SummerSlam, Ember Moon came back to life with a great showing against Charlotte Flair, who defeated Trish Stratus in a legacy pay-per-view match.

Quality-wise, this was a big leap forward for the 'War Goddess.' She looked great against 'The Queen.' Igniting the bout with hyper-athleticism and her flashy, high-impact offence, Moon reminded the audience that she's a firecracker between the ropes, despite falling short at SmackDown.

The bout's reason for existing was simple. More than a mere exhibition, this was Charlotte's shot at revenge after Moon blasted her with the Eclipse in lead-up to SummerSlam. That move saw Flair, aghast that she'd been left out of the main title programme, sow the seeds for her clash with Stratus. Regardless, the lust for retribution never leaves a mind as petty as hers, and she got it here.

There's a point to be made about Moon losing again after WWE had systematically failed to prevent her as a threat in the Bayley feud. That's a shame, though it's secondary to the match's real goal: giving Flair closure and potentially setting her up as the next title challenger.

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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.