3 Ups & 7 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Dec 20)

1. The Lack Of Roman Reigns

Baron Corbin Roman Reigns
WWE.com

It says everything for Roman Reigns right now that SmackDown was a poorer show without him.

The 'Big Dog' has been rescued from a creative quagmire of boos, incessant pushing and matches that, whilst still good, felt formulaic. He's genuinely over as a babyface for the first time in his singles career, and fans are visibly energised whenever Roman is around. It was odd that he was barely mentioned on Friday.

Michael Cole did reference Corbin's win at TLC and WWE ran some footage from the pay-per-view, but that was about it. Keep in mind that Reigns ended last weekend's show by mowing through Corbin and his goon squad, so it's not like he was booked in an injury angle or anything that'd explain his absence.

That made it slightly strange when he wasn't in Brooklyn at all. No backstage promos, no pre-tapes hinting at what's next. Nothing. Reigns was left off the format sheets entirely when SmackDown could've done with his star power.

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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.