3 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE Smackville

2. Elias Showed What WWE Are Missing

WWE Smackville
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He might've been jobbed out to Kevin Owens in less than five minutes and be playing Shane McMahon's bitch on TV these days, but Elias still knows how to raise the ire of a live crowd. His promo pre-match was a thing of beauty, and it showed WWE creative that they're spurning his majesty by programming him as a lackey.

On his own, Elias soars.

The music man has poise by the bucket load. He's unflappable, which isn't easy when crowds constantly interrupt speeches with cries of, "What?" or to remind everyone that CM Punk still exists; in an era obsessed with fan rebellion and 'smarky' behaviour, Elias is a shining example of how to perform the heel promo without forcing it.

His jamming session and mock phone call with Vince McMahon was a riot on Saturday night. Fans, who were admittedly there to have a good time rather than hijack the show, were in on the gag and responded in kind with some heat. Wake up, WWE. You've got a star on your hands.

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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.