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

Ups...

12. Flipping The Format

Daniel Bryan Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

WWE are so formula-dependent (even on SmackDown, which is generally a good show every week) that any deviation, major or minor, should be considered cause for celebration. Thus, WWE dedicating more than half of last night's show to a crazy gauntlet match gets its own Up.

SmackDown still began with an in-ring promo, and ran through its first few segments and matches in typical fashion, but the gauntlet freshened everything up. It worked on Raw last year, and it worked again last night.

While piecing the gauntlet together was almost certainly a tricky task, the way the match transpired suggests the wrestlers had more input than usual, with each segment feeling different. Thus, the creative department probably had an easier night themselves. Perhaps they should be allowed to trust the trained professionals they write for every week on a more regular basis?

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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.