3 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 29)

by Jamie Kennedy

1. A Sensational Sit-Down

Roman Reigns Paul Heyman Kevin Owens
WWE/BT Sport

Kevin Owens did some tasty promo work of his own last week. The Universal Title challenger spoke of making his family proud, and you just knew that'd come back up when Roman Reigns next took the floor. Picking out minor details like that and running with them has become a Reigns hallmark.

He didn't disappoint during SmackDown's sit-down.

Roman blasted KO for over-estimating his own abilities, then said he'd only disappoint his father and grandfather by failing at the Royal Rumble. Owens, smartly, didn't go OTT in response to this, at least not initially. He held his council and just looked seriously p*ssed off instead.

By the end of the skit, Owens was in full flow and reiterated his belief that he'll be 'Last Man Standing'. Reigns, who simmered and seethed at the perceived disrespect, eventually cut him off and ended the interview like some power mad diva.

These guys deserve some sort of award for making the most of what could've been a throwaway feud.

What did you think of this week's WWE SmackDown? For more, check out 10 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 1999 and WWE Royal Rumble 2021: 10 Nightmares That Could Happen!

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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.