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

2. Ronda Rousey’s Shaky Mic Work

Charlotte Flair Ronda Rousey Sonya Deville
WWE.com

WWE bizarrely teased that Charlotte Flair would be wrestling Sasha Banks at 'Mania despite already-advertising Ronda Rousey for the show in advance. That killed the Sasha tease, but it wasn't this closing skit's only glaring flaw.

Rousey's mic work is still under-confident and shaky.

Adding the word "bitch" to your promo might get a rise out of live crowds, but it doesn't fix every problem or make that promo a good one. Ronda's performance had no energy, and her 'Mania match announcement lacked some oomph. This program, which was an odd choice to begin with, is already up against it.

Maybe WWE can sort that out in coming weeks. Rousey's arm bar on Sonya Deville does mean Flair will get to stack the deck against Ronda pre-WrestleMania, but...yeah, why is Rousey even going after Charlotte at all? She has unfinished business with Becky Lynch more than anyone else.

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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.