4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Nov 5)

2. Cartoony Doesn’t Cut It

By contrast, the opening segment involving The Bloodline and New Day wasn't awful. It wasn't great either though, and that's really down to two irritating factors. Firstly, WWE seem to think that folks watching need some 10-15 minute context for why later matches are happening.

Just announce the bloody things and move on, please.

This opening promo skit took waaaay too long to get moving and get to the point. Second, the lighthearted banter King Woods and Kofi Kingston are known for clashed badly with the more serious way Roman Reigns is presented.

On the plus side, WWE rescued things by getting gritty later on. However, they don't get a pass for how long-winded this opening segment was, or for thinking that the comedic 'King' character is suitable follow up for Reigns when he just got done wrestling Brock f*cking Lesnar.