12 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Feb 12)

3. Respect Turns To Violence

Kofi Kingston AJ Styles
WWE.com

AJ Styles saved Kofi Kingston from Samoa Joe's gauntlet beatdown, but the pleasantries didn't last long.

The bout's second-best segment began with 'The Phenomenal One' checking on the fallen New Day man, pulling him to his feet, then telling him he didn't have to go ahead with the penultimate fall if he wasn't capable. Kofi took exception to this. He slapped AJ right in the mouth, got in his face, and thus commenced a fiery babyface vs. babyface showdown that played heavily on Kingston's ring time (he'd been in there for 52 minutes by this point).

Coasting on spirit alone, Kingston put up a tremendous fight against AJ. It wasn't enough, though. Fatigue kicked in. Styles exacerbated his opponent's condition with a particularly nasty backbreaker, then by dodging the double knees in the corner, and while Kofi scored a great near fall with a splash to AJ's back, a Calf Crusher eventually brought an end to his night.

Brilliant stuff all-around, and it'd be great to see these to work a longer singles match without the storyline crutch.

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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.