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

Ups...

4. Riddle’s Promo

Riddle WWE
WWE.com

Post-McMahon, it was back to kayfabe land for the promos.

Riddle did well to build up the importance of facing Roman Reigns to him personally. The smiling stoner mentioned family, thanked Randy Orton for standing by his side when it counted and managed to get the live crowd behind his cause. That's never a given with these often-rambling in-ring speeches.

The way Riddle worked with the audience and delivered several heartfelt story beats bodes well for his aspirations as a full-time top-liner in WWE. Perhaps the best thing about it is that Riddle's comedic flourishes seem natural and likeable. He doesn't try too hard.

RK-Bro's scooter-loving munchies machine has come a long-assed way from droning on about frostbitten feet (or whatever reason they tried to give for him wrestling barefoot) during his original SmackDown run. Riddle is a ready-made headliner, and a true breakout star.

Advertisement
Contributor

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.