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

2. Cartoony Doesn’t Cut It

King Woods Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

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.

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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.