3 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Feb 13)

Flat as a pancake.

by Andy H Murray
Dolph Ziggler
WWE.com

Well, that was certainly a show.

Last night's SmackDown wasn't good, but wasn't bad either. Though it brought a couple of notable changes to the upcoming Fastlane pay-per-view card (11 March), its two hours offered few significant developments outwith the WWE Title hunt, with the show devolving into an almighty clusterf*** on several occasions. The most listless SmackDown in months, it didn't offend or excite; it merely existed.

AJ Styles was nowhere to be found, and neither was Shinsuke Nakamura, who has barely lifted a finger since winning the Royal Rumble. Still, their division didn't go unrepresented. Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler were set to clash for a spot in Fastlane's main event, but things didn't quite go to plan, with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens sticking their noses in.

Elsewhere, Charlotte Flair's war with The Riott Squad continued, Bobby Roode crossed paths with two new foes, and the tag division dissolved into a puddle of pancake batter.

The night wasn't completely devoid of fun moments, but aside from the main event, it was the kind of show better consumed through YouTube clips rather than the full two-hour broadcast. Let's break it down...

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.