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

11. Spotlight Dodgers

Mark Henry Goldberg
WWE.com

It was refreshing to see WWE not go all-in on old-timers last night, with the majority of SmackDown's guest stars appearing only as faces in the crowd.

The likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, and Mick Foley all made quiet ring entrances while SD was on commercials, before waving and smiling for the camera as it cut to them for four/five seconds at a time. Mark Henry and Goldberg lended their shocked reactions to Brock Lesnar's win over Kofi Kingston. Lita and Trish Stratus where there too, and again, they didn't hog the spotlight.

Not only were the legends not used to detract from full-time performers. but their minimal usage helped prevent a major cram on an already packed show. Kudos to WWE. Here's hoping they use this approach more often in the future.

Pretty weird that the pre-advertised Sting, Undertaker, and Steve Austin didn't appear on the main show though...

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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.