13 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (July 23)

6. Victory In Defeat?

Shinsuke Nakamura Apollo Crews
WWE.com

Apollo Crews looked good in last night's defeat to Shinsuke Nakamura. A unique athlete blessed with elite agility and power, he showed more than enough Cool Sh*t to guarantee that even though he was intended as a tune-up opponent for the Intercontinental Champion, he didn't look like a massive loser in defeat. Exciting flashes like his apron Moonsault to the floor and the close near-fall off an Angle Slam reminded the audience that Crews is a great highlight reel athlete.

It was an effective match for Nakamura, too, and he came off well, giving Crews just enough offence without sacrificing his own mystique. Coming in at a succinct 8:15, the bout concluded with Nak moving away from the standing Shooting Star Press before hitting a Kinshasa for the victory.

The beatdown continued after the bell, with 'The King Of Strong Style' unleashing a vicious pummelling that concluded with a Kinshasa on the outside. Recent weeks have seen WWE do a good job of making this guy feel dangerous again. It continued last night, and will ideally define his next few months as well.

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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.