3 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (July 21)

1. Are They Trying To Make Him Look Weak?

Austin Theory Santos Escobar
WWE.com

Seriously, someone needs to ask what the hell WWE is actually doing with one Austin Theory. He's coming across as totally in over his head, and not in a fun, interesting or old-school Miz-type way. No, the dude's booked to be ultra-confident and throw out challenges, then he ends up eating sh*t.

Big sighs all round.

There was no need to book this non-title match vs. Santos Escobar at all, especially with the number one contendership battle between Santos and LWO pal Rey Mysterio coming up next week. Being brutally honest, Escobar winning here vs. Theory kinda reveals that Rey will probs win next.

Show of hands amongst those who know why creative finds it so challenging to book Austin effectively at the moment. He's been tanking since defeating John Cena at WrestleMania, and it sucks hard that such a landmark win meant nothing for his immediate career.

Sort it out, please.

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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.