4 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (23 May - Results & Review)

WWE boss Triple H needs to have a long, hard think about what he wants SmackDown to be going forwards. That's especially true if recent word that the blue brand won't be switching back to a more traditional 2-hour format is true. The third hour is proving troublesome. Not...creatively terminal, but definitely bothersome to the writers who aren't being aided by a real lack of prominent star power near the top of the card.

This week's show had twin major goals in mind. One, push workers towards Money In The Bank and sell the 7 June PLE briefcase madness as a real game-changer for the roster. Two, bring an AWOL faction back into view and let them pay tribute to a fallen brother on what would've been his birthday. The latter was a lovely moment, but The Wyatt Sicks deserve more than to be wheeled out for things like this and nothing else.

The good news is that potential is there to make them a key part of the fiery tag title scene on Fridays.

Another definite upside to SmackDown being longer since the turn of the year is that previously-overlooked wrestlers get to have some more valuable ring time. Here, Tommaso Ciampa and Chris Sabin flexed their muscles away from tag action, and there was plenty of time for Giulia to show why she was getting so many excited down in NXT.

Here's all the good and bad before WWE presents the latest Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend. SmackDown was functional; not bad, but defo not great either.