13 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown On FOX (Oct 4)

6. Reaching For The Stars

Tyson Fury
WWE.com

There was talk a few months ago that WWE had been reaching out to a number of celebrities and FOX TV personalities to ensure that SmackDown would look big-time on launch night, recruiting an all-star cast to present Vince McMahon's promotion as the major leagues, and everything else as small fry. They succeeded in doing so.

While the use of celebrities wasn't anywhere near as gratuitous as many had speculated, the inclusion of several WWE legends, two legit combat sports killers in Cain Velasquez and Tyson Fury, and FS1's Erin Andrews elevated the old B-show to a different level. These guests, coupled with the new stage and general presentation tweaks, sold SmackDown as a big-time, attention-grabbing Hollywood wrestling show.

It'll be interesting to see if WWE can maintain this going forward, but SD looked and felt like the top tier last night. Even WWE's other shows felt a lot smaller by comparison.

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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.