4 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 Aug - Results & Review)

1. Solo Couldn’t Quite Match Cody

Cody Rhodes Solo Sikoa
WWE.com

It's worth saying that Solo Sikoa deserves time to grow into the role WWE has thrust upon him. He went from being a mute enforcer in the old Bloodline to leading the new one, and that was always going to come with some teething troubles. Even so, he'll need to step his game up a wee bit soon or face the consequences.

Sikoa cannot continue being overshadowed by practically everyone he shares screen time with.

SmackDown opened with set up for a 'Bloodline Rules' announcement ahead of SummerSlam. That was fine, but it wasn't great to see Solo sag opposite Cody Rhodes on the mic. Maybe his material was a bit weak, but even mentioning Roman Reigns isn't getting Sikoa as much attention as it should be.

He's gonna need to find a groove on the mic ahead of that blockbuster feud, because WWE's bigwigs won't hang around forever if it's tanking. Everyone already expects Jacob Fatu to motor ahead of Solo, so fingers crossed he starts to present better in front of live crowds (rather than pre-tapes, which are fine).

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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.