5 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (June 13)

3. The Viper Strikes

Randy Orton Jinder Mahal RKO
WWE.com

The ongoing WWE Champinship feud between Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton has been a regular SmackDown lowlight for months, but things picked up this week. It began with a typical promo from the champ, who called Orton a coward, then claimed he fears him. Jinder promised to defeat ‘The Viper’ in front of his hometown crowd, then drifted into Punjabi for his closing spiel, before Randy finally showed-up.

The Singhs readied themselves for a fight, but Orton crept up from behind, catching Mahal with a sudden RKO. The move drew a huge pop from the crowd, and while this is comfortably the most boring WWE Title feud of the year thus far, the segment was a clear step forward from the pointless, go-nowhere verbal exchanges the duo have struggled through lately.

Mahal still feels very much like a midcarder playing a main eventer’s role, but he wasn’t horrible here. His promo didn’t overstay its welcome, and he has made noticeable improvements in how he presents and carries himself, though his delivery still needs work. Regardless, this was an effective angle to set him and Orton up for their pay-per-view clash, and the most satisfying segment they’ve ever produced together.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.