3 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Mar 11)

Ups...

3. Ricochet Retains

It might've played second fiddle to the Austin Theory vs. Pat McAfee brawling, but at least Ricochet's first Intercontinental Title defence wasn't a complete washout. There were concerns heading into SmackDown that WWE would pull the belt from his waist after just one week, especially when Sami Zayn started yakking about Johnny Knoxville pre-match.

WWE resisted the urge to make Rico look foolish.

Seeing him retain a title traditionally-associated with workhorses was cool. Of course, the high-flyer will need something more than exhibition-style title defences if this reign is going to be a winner; WWE could do worse than sticking him opposite someone like Kofi Kingston (who is now flying solo) for a series of matches with meaning.

A 'Best Of 7' that peaks at 'Mania is possible if they're quick or bung some bouts on secondary programming like Main Event. For now though, Ricochet must be pleased that creative didn't deem him useless one week in and take the strap off of him.