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

3. Just End This Title Reign Already

Shinsuke Nakamura Jinder Mahal
WWE.com

STOP. THE. PAIN.

Shinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Title reign has been weaker than a kitten's p*ss. Honestly, it's been seriously, seriously rubbish. Sami Zayn also became number one contender months ago, but he's had to wait around for a title shot because WWE wanted to flirt with Johnny Knoxville instead.

SmackDown's writers plucked Jinder Mahal out of the ether and put him in one of those nothing "Contender's Matches" this week. He, accompanied by Shanky, was a borderline jobber for Naka in another brief scrap that went nowhere. The highlight of this entire segment? Sami Zayn's guest commentary.

Zayn tried to entertain as Mahal and Shin exchanged slow spots mid-ring for a few minutes. Somehow, they made a three-minute match seem like it lasted 30. Just...get that IC strap off Nakamura ASAP. Sami is the belt's only shot at relevance in 2022.

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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.