14 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 19)

5. Daniel Bryan Sets The Scene

Rowan Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

This was a night of great promos, and while Daniel Bryan's pre-gauntlet diatribe wasn't the best (we'll get to that later), it still ruled.

He set the scene for the main event by laying into Kingston. Kofi, he said, didn't deserve the opportunity. The bout was an injustice. Unlike Kingston, Bryan had overcome legitimate odds. Kofi has "never been held down," was "handpicked" by management, and though he fought hard, he ultimately lost.

Repeating last week's words, he called Kingston a "B+ player," which is "okay for you fans, but not good enough" for a guy with WWE Title aspirations. "No matter how much you chant for him, he'll lose again."

Daniel's words were, of course, absolute bullsh*t. That's exactly how things should be. The man is supposed to be the most deluded, over-the-top villain in the company, and he fulfilled that by taking Kingston's situation as its opposite. Given the gauntlet's outcome, he's going to be extra c*nty when addressing the New Day next week...

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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.