4 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sept 5)

2. Nakamura & Orton Produce A Fine Main Event

Shinsuke Nakamura Randy Orton
WWE.com

SmackDown’s main event saw Shinsuke Nakamura wrestle Randy Orton for the right to challenge for Jinder Mahal’s WWE Championship. It didn’t quite peak at the level of Nak’s battle with John Cena last month, but it was a strong TV clash regardless, and one of the most exciting performances ‘The Viper’ has delivered some returning last summer.

The duo exhibited good chemistry, and had the crowd on their toes throughout, particularly towards the end. Sure, the outcome was predictable, but who cares when the journey is so much fun? Two men who are often accused of ‘taking it easy’ went all out to give the fans something to cheer about at the end of a middling show, and they should be applauded for that.

Nakamura took the victory with a Kinshasa knee strike, but there were plenty of exciting spots throughout. Orton went for an RKO just seconds after the opening bell, Nak later countered Randy’s iconic finisher into a cross arm-breaker, and the closing sequence saw him flip another RKO into a backstabber. It may have been a throw-away TV bout, but it’s one WWE should seriously consider re-booking sometime, as they clearly work well together.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.