3 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (June 6)

2. A Successful Debut For Lana

Lana WWE
WWE.com

After close to two months of constant dancing vignettes, Lana finally arrived on SmackDown Live last night. Having asked Shane McMahon for a spot in the women’s Money In The Bank ladder match last week, she interrupted the opening segment to reiterate her Twitter request. McMahon effectively said “no,” but Lana got into it with Naomi, and their argument the came into play in the contest that followed.

Lana’s interference was decisive in securing the heels’ victory, and compelled Naomi to demand a clash her at MITB. ‘The Ravishing Russian’ will now compete for the SmackDown Women’s Championship in what could be her first match as an SD Superstar, and only the second televised bout of her WWE career. A huge leap, but one that justifies the show’s “land of opportunity” tagline.

Placing Lana in a clear singles storyline away from the MITB chaos should help her new act get over, if it isn’t already. She might be playing heel, but Lana drew major chants during the opening segment, with the crowd keen to see her in the ladder match. Here’s hoping she has the in-ring chops to go with her popularity, because she could be a real benefit to the division if she does.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.