3 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (June 25)

Ups...

3. As Solid As They Come

Complaints about the reigning Intercontinental Champ dropping random matches on TV are entirely valid, but that Apollo Crews vs. Big E match on SmackDown was solid business. These guys work well together when they're not weighed down by a silly gimmick like they were at WrestleMania 37.

Also, this loss must be put into proper context.

Apollo needs the intimidating presence of Commander Azeez to back him up, which is fine. He's a heel, and it's cool for him to come up short occasionally when his heavy gets ejected from ringside. That happened here, and it switched momentum into E's corner. The New Day man looked awesome throughout.

Big E's intensity is one of his strengths - he's capable of greatness when he ditches the silliness and comedy stuff, and this was proof of that. Start putting that cash on E winning Money In The Bank and then eventually challenging Reigns. It needs to happen.