2 Ups & 6 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Aug 15)

4. Another PPV Match Given Away On Free TV

Usos New Day
WWE.com

In terms of pure action, The Usos vs. The New Day was one of last night’s better in-ring offerings. It wasn’t great, but it was solid enough, with both teams doing pretty much everything they could within the eight minute window, but again, the macro trumps the micro.

WWE have given away a bunch of SummerSlam matches this week. First, it was Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt and Akira Tozawa vs. Neville on Raw, and now this. The SmackDown Tag Team Champions weren’t on the line, and The New Day lineup may be slightly different on Sunday, but just like Rusev vs. Orton, this is an exceptionally lazy way to book a feud.

The Usos won, so not only did WWE out their complete lack of imagination, but they managed to make their Tag Team Champions look weak in the process. No amount of solid action can compensate for this.

These two teams are probably going to tear the house down on Sunday, just like they did at Battleground. They’re two of the brand’s hottest acts at the moment, and they deserve better than to fall victim to lazy 50/50 booking, as neither team will benefit from this in the long run.

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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.