4 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 28)

2. A Step Too Far?

Shanky Jinder Mahal Sami Zayn
WWE.com

Sami Zayn has worked wonders with some p*ss poor material lately, but having Jinder Mahal and Shanky on as "live podcast" guests was a step too far. The team aren't over in the slightest and have zero beef with Zayn, so the whole thing gobbled up time with next-to-no payoff.

Worse, it led to a nothing tag pitting Jinder and his mate vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs. Only Boogs gets a pass for his work here, because he's getting some solid reactions by being an energetic powerhouse. Everyone else? Hmm. One has to wonder what the end goal is here.

A solitary kick from Naka to Zayn wasn't enough build for their upcoming Intercontinental Title match. On that, WWE still hasn't revealed when it'll happen. Sami has been number one contender for weeks now, but the biggest whiner on SmackDown...isn't really whining about being constantly overlooked.

This was a waste of everybody's time.

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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.