3 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Feb 12)

Seth Rollins returns and WWE get predictable on SmackDown's road to Elimination Chamber.

by Jamie Kennedy
Kevin Owens Jey Uso Stunner
WWE.com

Stunner! Stunner! STUNNER!

That was the end scene for this week's SmackDown. Kevin Owens ran in out of nowhere to rock everyone in sight with some 'Stone Cold' tributes, then spent 15 minutes lapping up cheers from the ThunderDome masses as the timekeeper tossed him endless cans of beer. OK, that last bit didn't happen (if only), but the rest did.

WWE are firmly on the road to WrestleMania 37 now, and they busily set up some more of SmackDown's half of the upcoming Elimination Chamber card. That 21 February pay-per-view is a speed bump on the path to 'Mania, but it's usually a fun show. Unfortunately, the company got way too predictable with some of the qualification booking, and a bit too lazy with the rest.

Only one man could save it from punishing mediocrity: Roman Reigns.

Reigns has competition for the preachy heel leader role now that Seth Rollins has returned though. His comeback was one of the brighter moments on Friday night, and it should lead to some in-ring belters soon enough.

Here are all the 'Ups' and the 'Downs'...

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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.