4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (24 Jan - Results & Review)

2. Damian Priest Arrives On SmackDown

Damian Priest Carmelo Hayes
WWE.com

This "Transfer Window" hasn't been locked in, so who knows how long it'll last? On the plus side, moving Damian Priest away from the Judgment Day lot over on Raw is a best case scenario for the former World Heavyweight Champ. Seeing Priest spread his wings on SmackDown should be a hoot, and he got off to a real solid start vs. Carmelo Hayes when making his solo blue brand bow.

Priest is pretty giving as a worker. He could've squashed Melo flat, but the match was more 60/40 before Damian got the win. Obviously, WWE agreed that hammering Hayes into the ground would've been counterproductive when they're trying to find the right spot for him. They've got plenty of time, but playing jobber to the stars for a brand newcomer like Priest wasn't an issue for him here.

In a fun follow up, creative had Cody Rhodes welcome Damian to SmackDown. Not missing a beat, the ex-World Champ over on Mondays told company poster boy Cody that he's coming for his title too. That'd be an intriguing babyface vs. babyface showdown, and it could prove to be the perfect way to find out just how popular Priest is with the masses compared to the top star.

Failing that, Hunter can stick the bout in his back pocket and have Priest elevate the United States belt by taking it from Shinsuke Nakamura. Naka cut a pre-taped promo on this week's show vowing to win the Rumble for a second time, but he's spinning his wheels waiting for a brand new challenger.

Call for the Priest!

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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.