13 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (July 23)
Ups...
13. The Goon Squad
Despite the booking concerns (and the widespread backlash they've received), this writer will be at least a teensy-weensy bit disappointed if Kevin Owens ends up banishing Shane McMahon from television, as has been rumoured in recent weeks.
Why? Because his goon squad works.
While Drew McIntyre doesn't feel like as big a threat as he used to, he and Elias perform their roles as subservient Shane-o suck-ups well. Last night's backstage segment was no exception. As brief as it was, watching the duo plant their lips on McMahon's posterior - calling him a "genius," etc. - felt right, and in response, Shane made himself the guest ring announcer for Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns, Elias the time-keeper, and McIntyre the referee. Stooges gonna stooge.