4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (6 June - Results & Review)

3. Basic Story Beats Can Be The Best

Then, after sowing seeds aplenty for Fatu elsewhere, WWE moved him towards the 'Ex-New Bloodline' exit doors.

Solo Sikoa jumped up on the ring apron to cause a distraction during Jimmy Uso vs. JC Mateo. Trying to help, Jacob went up on the other side, but Mateo ran into him when Jimmy dodged out of the way. One roll up later and Uso had the win, JC was calling Jacob “the problem” and Fatu was incensed by everything going on. That's basic storytelling, but it does feel like WWE are finally ready to bring things to a head here and have Fatu split from the group.

Special word on Mateo too - his match had a solid heat section in the middle that saw JC grind Jimmy down, and fans were into Uso’s comeback. It wasn't a flashy match, but was certainly a watchable one that had good pacing and a finish which pushes one of SmackDown's better midcard stories in the right direction. Kudos to Solo for looking totally lost as Mateo and Fatu postured and threatened to come to blows.

Later, he sneakily told Mateo that Jacob has never been the smartest guy in the room. Little did he know that Fatu was around the corner listening, so now the reigning US Champ has further motivation to stick it to these so-called allies and strike out on his own. Adding to that, Damian Priest put Jacob on notice and said he's coming for the belt, but acknowledged that it sucks to have beef with people you consider family.

This story was well told throughout the night.