4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Nov 6)
Family saves the day.
Friday's SmackDown focused on four rather distinct things.
WWE's chief priority was fleshing out the male and female squads for Survivor Series, but they also wanted to shine a spotlight on the ongoing 'will he/won't he' storyline involving Murphy, Seth Rollins and virtually the entire Mysterio family. Once they were done with that, the company turned attentions back to the brand's recent breadwinner: Roman Reigns being a top-notch totalitarian and all-round bastard towards Jey Uso.
Then, there was a big return that should help shape the women's division going forwards. This heel comeback is something WWE desperately needed - they've been leaning heavily on Bayley lately, and she can't pull the load herself forever. Besides, her feud with new Women's Champ Sasha Banks perhaps needed a break.
Was it a great episode? No, it wasn't. There was enough, however, to stop it from being a yawn-inducing disaster, and the pulsating family shenanigans between Roman and Uso have been a constant highlight of WWE's product for months.
Here are all the 'Ups' and the 'Downs' from another week in blue brand territory...