2 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Mar 5)

1. Too Much Gimmick

A scarf and sporadic accent were elements added to the Apollo Crews package on last week's SmackDown. Both worked, 'cause they gave the one-time pedestrian babyface some character, and he excelled by cutting a solid promo. Unfortunately, WWE's nonstop need to over-indulge in gimmickry bit them in the arse here.

Crews did not need the guards on this week's show, and he definitely didn't need to carry a f*cking spear to the ring with him. Some on social media are already questioning how WWE could be so tone deaf; racial equality is a huge talking point, and it smacks of insensitivity to book something like this in 2021.

Obviously, Apollo himself would've approved the idea, but man...a spear?!

At best, WWE got a little too carried away here. At worst, they think the tired cliche of "foreign heel menace" will cut it with fans. Another problem with it is that Crews doesn't need all this. Look at how Roman Reigns, even as 'Tribal Chief', has maintained a gritty, realistic edge instead of becoming a walking stereotype.

That's the template pro wrestling needs to follow more often.