3 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (April 29)

Ups...

3. Raquel Rodriguez Gets Squashy

Raquel Rodriguez Cat Cardoza
WWE.com

Onto the good things SmackDown had to offer.

Cat Cardoza bumped around nicely for Raquel Rodriguez. The former NXT Women's Champion looked every bit like the mauler she should be in this division, and she can be pleased with this showcase win during her first in-ring appearance on the blue brand.

The enhancement match worked as a tool to sell Raquel's powerhouse style. It was similar in some respects to what WWE has been doing with Gunther in recent weeks; that's not a criticism by any means. In fact, it's a compliment, because the big Austrian has looked like a wrecking machine in there, and Rodriguez has the chops to become a squash match regular.

Side note: Cardoza deserves a look in. She got her licks in on Raquel here, but knew when to lay out and take a beating. Hopefully, WWE will reward that by giving her another tryout soon. Cat has a great look, and took Raquel's opening clothesline like she'd been run over by a train.

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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.