3 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sep 26)

3. Charlotte & Carmella Barely Break A Sweat

Charlotte Flair Carmella
WWE.com

Another bland, meaningless midcard match, Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella was mechanically solid, but there's a high chance you'd already forgotten about it by the time SmackDown cut to the next segment. Like Dillinger vs. Corbin, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either, with both women content to coast through the bout in second gear.

Charlotte is a fine worker, and Carmella has improved, but it's hard to impress the audience in these limited TV contests. The most disappointing thing was the complete lack of heat, however. Carmella has evolved into a solid character, but she really struggles to compel the audience to jeer her in the ring, and the bout's middle section (during which Carmella tried to kill everyone's buzz with an elongated chinlock spot) was particularly turgid.

Flair eventually picked up the win with a big boot, before Natalya grabbed the microphone. The SmackDown Women's Champion claimed she was glad Ric was recovering, because it means he'd be able to watch his "overrated daughter" lose at HIAC, which keeps their feud rolling in the most throwaway way imaginable.

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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.