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

by Andy H Murray

1. Simple, Effective Symbolism

Kevin Owens
WWE.com

Kevin Owens is the guy right now in WWE. Roman Reigns, meanwhile, is 'The Guy' that was promised. It's a textbook situation where one wrestler is the peoples' favourite while the other is the office's, so the symbolism of Roman voluntarily leaving the ring to give KO centre stage at SmackDown's conclusion hit all the right notes.

This is Owens' world at the moment, and his promise that the audience will love the beating he gives Shane at SummerSlam closed a segment full of fan service. With KO and Reigns, WWE listened. They aren't making 'The Big Dog' McMahon's biggest enemy, but the performer they most want to root for, and Owens is responding to the company's newfound faith in him by knocking it out of the park at every time of asking.

It's such good sh*t, pal.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.