4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (June 17)

1. A Pointless Opening

Vince McMahon WWE SmackDown 2022
WWE.com

Oh dear.

Vince McMahon showing up on SmackDown at all mid-investigation seemed like a bad idea to start with. Come crunch time, the controversial now-ex WWE CEO (which is really strange to type) didn't say much of anything to the live crowd in Minneapolis anyway.

He quoted WWE's, "Then, Now, Forever, Together" signature, smiled a lot then left as everyone around ringside scratched their heads like, 'That's...that's it?'. This fan isn't the kind for a witch hunt, but he also isn't particularly interested in seeing very-real and very-grim situations gobble up airtime on a fictional wrestling show.

There's a difference between working real tension between wrestlers to drum up interest, for example, and having Vince wander out for no reason when he's being investigated for sexual misconduct. What the living f*ck were they thinking with this nod towards real life?

It shouldn't have been on the show.

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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.