4 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Aug 22)

1. The Styles vs. Owens (Vs. Shane) Saga

Shane McMahon Kevin Owens
WWE.com

Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles dominated last night’s SmackDown. It started in the ring, with ‘The Phenomenal One’ celebrating his successful United States Championship defence at SummerSlam, then announcing that he was bringing the US Title open challenge back. This drew out Owens, then Shane McMahon (Sunday’s incompetent official), and the match was made, with Owens allowed to choose the referee.

A series of short backstage segments followed. Sami Zayn was the first person KO appealed to, but he declined. The Fashion Police reached out and were promptly shut down. Baron Corbin finally showed up, the deal was made, and ‘The Lone Wolf’ became the referee.

What followed was another deeply disappointing AJ vs. KO match that wasn’t about Styles or the US Title, but putting the forthcoming Owens vs. McMahon feud over. Corbin abandoned his refereeing duties before the end, prompting Shane to take control, counting the three on KO, which gives Kevin fuel to continue his rivalry with the Commissioner.

The show-opening in-ringer was tiresome, the backstage segments felt scatterbrained, and the match was bang average. The storyline started promisingly, but ultimately ended in disappointment, proving that sometimes, even the company's strongest performers can't overcome WWE's shoddy booking. There was no need to extend this feud beyond SummerSlam, and in doing so, WWE only succeeded in clogging a half decent episode of SmackDown.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.