3 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (July 10)

Ups...

3. Nikki's Energy

Bayley Nikki Cross
WWE.com

Praise the women's wrestling Gods for Nikki Cross then.

Much like recent challengers Carmella, Naomi and Tamina, Nikki is very much another speed bump for Bayley on her way to a natural feud against current pal Sasha Banks. The positive side to this is that Cross, unlike those other names, is really making the most of her role - her energy is a constant highlight on SmackDown.

Attacking Bayley before teaming up with Alexa Bliss against the champ and Sasha was another nod towards her old gimmick, and the passion Nikki shows across the board is great. That roll-up finish with Bayley holding the ropes like an absolute git also protected Cross before her pay-per-view title shot.

WWE probably need to give roll-up finishes a rest, but it did work here. The way Nikki moves, her facial expressions and her overall intensity are a match for anyone on the SmackDown women's side right now, including Bayley and fellow stand-out Sonya Deville (where is she, by the way?).

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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.