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

WWE's pre-taped SmackDown did have some highlights, but also some...lowlights!

Randy Orton Drew McIntyre RKO
WWE.com

You're probably already watching or have watched Elimination Chamber by the time you read this. WWE's jaunt to Australia for the latest PLE meant there wasn't much time between this week's episode of SmackDown and Chamber, which feels rather odd. Not...bad, but definitely strange.

Being brutally honest, the timing didn't give Smackers much of a chance.

The fact it was pre-taped last week dampened hopes this would be a blockbuster edition akin to recent shows starring The Rock, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes from the off, but the strength of the roster and some of the matches on hand surely guaranteed entertainment. The good news? There was a lot to like on Friday night's offering. It did have some value.

There's a downside though. Something is sorely missing from a feud between warring factions, and guest commentary during the main event totally telegraphed what was going to happen next. Also, Triple H has to bang creative skulls together until he shakes something new loose for those 'go home' show-ending skits pre-multi wrestler PLEs.

Here's all the good and bad from an uneven episode.

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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.