3 Ups And 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE Smackdown (Jan 10)

Downs...

3. Champion's Asylum

The show opened with a special episode of the Ambrose Asylum featuring the new Intercontinental Champion. Not only did Dean Ambrose show off his title, but he announced that he would be officially entering the 2017 Royal Rumble match.

That brought out his guest, The Miz, who ran Ambrose down for devaluing the Intercontinental Title and the Royal Rumble. Miz announced his own participation in the Rumble, then demanded that Ambrose return the title to him, since he didn't win it fairly. Ambrose pretended that he was going to, but he actually gave over the Miz Appreciation Award that Miz gave to Ambrose a few weeks ago. Miz attacked Ambrose, but "The Lunatic Fringe" made his own comeback and sent Miz packing.

This wasn't a very bad segment, although some of Ambrose's "comedy" was flat, but it felt like a burial of The Miz. I'm sure there'll be a rematch at a future date, but given the way this was booked, I don't have much faith in Miz winning the belt back. It'll will be a real shame if WWE stops pushing him after all he's done.