12 Ups & 6 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jun 25)

2. Smart Psychology

Elias Shane McMahon
WWE.com

Shane McMahon and Elias got smart with The Miz on last night's SmackDown.

'The Drifter' took the first fall in ridiculously quick fashion. The second saw McMahon step in with a tactic every set of heel allies should do in such situations, first by distracting the referee to prevent a pin after the Skull Crushing Finale, before leaping into action. He laid into 'The A-Lister' with his pitter-patter potato punches. The referee had no choice but to pull the disqualification, and Shane, recognising there was an advantage to be gained, helped Elias beat Miz down for a few minutes more, making it all but impossible for him to fight back in the third fall.

Battered all over ringside, Miz was helpless to avoid defeat as Elias crashed down upon him with an elbow drop for the win. He fell to a superior strategy.

Doing this in every other 2-out-of-3 falls match will burn it out, but it was refreshing to see WWE roll with a finish we wouldn't normally expect from them. The heels look heelish and the babyface draws sympathy. It's a great little tactic, so let's hope the promotion keep coming up with novel ideas for these bouts.

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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.