3 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Dec 1 - Results & Review)

Randy Orton signs with SmackDown, but is fellow comeback king CM Punk next?

by Jamie Kennedy
Randy Orton Nick Aldis Adam Pearce
WWE.com

Randy Orton was the focal point on this week's episode of SmackDown, and the jacked up returnee was certainly a welcome one. Mr. RKO was in supreme physical shape when he launched a comeback at Survivor Series: WarGames, then flirted with a full-blown Judgment Day feud on Raw.

Scrap that, because Randy has his eyes firmly trained on another WWE faction.

'The Viper' thrashed out his future by committing to SmackDown on Friday's episode, but he wasn't the only star creative had to drum up fresh plans for. Logan Paul's United States Title needed a new challenger too, so WWE decided to create an 8-man tournament (complete with a possible NXT curve ball) that'll start next week.

Damage CTRL's slow implosion continued as well, but it's fair to say that Bayley's ongoing character arc is the only thing the blue brand's women's division really has going for it. That must be sorted out soon, because most on the babyface side are struggling to maintain fan interest - WrestleMania headliners and all!

Here's all the good and bad from a night when Nick Aldis thumbed his nose at Raw and Adam Pearce.

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Contributor

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.