4 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Oct 28)

2. The Brawling Brutes Get A Big Win

Sami Zayn Butch
WWE.com

Yes, there were shenanigans involving Sami Zayn/Jey Uso, and yes, it was a small package to win it. However, seeing Ridge Holland and Butch score a victory over members of The Bloodline is a really positive sign that they're heading in the right direction. Sheamus wasn't even there at ringside to help.

These lads are a proper tag now, and capable of standing on their own merits. That wasn't the case before when Sheamus enlisted both as his backups, or when Pete Dunne was throwing temper tantrums like a childish comic book character from the f'n Beano or Dandy.

Putting the Brutes over Sami and Solo Sikoa shows that Triple H has faith in them as a duo. It also sets Butch and Ridge up nicely for their Tag Title tilt at Crown Jewel; they're never winning the belts from The Usos over in Saudi, but they do look threatening in general.

Top marks for this.

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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.