4 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (April 22)

3. Finally, Some Direction?

It remains to be seen whether or not Xia Li as a villain will go anywhere, but she cut a decent backstage promo on SmackDown. Li said there's nobody worth looking out for on the roster, which is really the way go considering her 'Protector' gimmick was dead and buried anyway.

They had to try something.

Scanning the SmackDown women's scene for a second also shows promise for Xia. If she can cut promos to this standard and excel between the ropes as a sadistic sort who revels in punishing opponents, then she might even bag herself a run opposite Ronda Rousey post-WrestleMania Backlash.

WWE will need heels for Rousey to burn through, and going up against the would-be champ guarantees a weekly featured spot on TV. It's not like the company has many options there either. Xia Li did well with this promo.