2 Ups & 7 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Feb 4)

6. Squashing The Challenge Already

Jimmy Uso Erik
WWE.com

They certainly didn't here.

F*cking hell - this was a mess. So, earlier, WWE protected Ridge Holland by ensuring he got his win back in the same segment. Then, come time for The Viking Raiders and hype about their upcoming SmackDown Tag Title shot, the same creative team...had Jimmy Uso smash Erik in minutes.

Wow. At ringside, Ivar also came across as a tool by totally missing Jey on a splash attempt over the steel steps, then Erik ate a splash of his own for the pin. What was this supposed to accomplish? The Raiders are now weaker heading into Elimination Chamber, and it was absolutely avoidable.

If WWE must spotlight these preview singles matches before major tags, then at least have the sense to keep the challengers fairly strong. Does anybody really believe that Erik and Ivar are taking the belts from The Usos now? No, they don't.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.