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

3. Ember Snaps

Bayley Ember Moon
WWE.com

While Ember Moon has always been an outstanding in-ring performer, the only time there has ever been a noticeable edge to her character came when she was battling the increasingly heelish Asuka towards the end of their awesome NXT rivalry. Fortunately, that changed on last night's SmackDown.

Ember's 'War Goddess' character got a big upgrade after her ill-gotten victory over Charlotte Flair. Though she celebrated with Bayley initially, Moon wasn't content to accept the W like some kind of passive goober, and instead took the opportunity to put the SmackDown Women's Champion and Flair down in the ring. Charlotte ate the first Eclipse, selling it perfectly, and Bayley went down next, leaving 'The Shenom' standing and looking dominant as the segment came to its conclusion.

The start of a turn? Probably not, as Tom Phillips put it over as Ember "taking advantage of an opportunity." It came off well, though. The damage of that troublesome Mandy Rose/Sonya Deville feud has long been undone.

Advertisement
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.