5 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (5 July - Results & Review)

4. This Is How You Involve MITB/The Chasing Pack!

Bayley Piper Niven
WWE.com

Bayley vs. Piper Niven was a callback to Clash At The Castle over in Scotland, and it made sense to book the rematch due to Chelsea Green's involvement in the MITB ladder fray. It didn't take long before most of the others in that field got involved to sell their PLE match, and WWE even included workers like Nia Jax and Michin too.

This scenario was certainly a much more pleasing way to go about things than the humdrum men's promo train earlier in the show. Even Naomi sort of glared at her pal Bayley as if to say, 'I might have to cash in on you soon, and I'm sorry but this is business'. The situation is clear: Bayley's cards are marked as champion.

Everybody imaginable is chasing her.

You've got to love that emphasis on the importance of her title. Piper is still a threat, Chelsea as well because she has Niven to help soften others up, and then there's Nia waiting in the wings for a shot after winning Queen Of The Ring. Tiffany Stratton, Naomi and others are also gunning for the champ; WWE did a sweet job of putting that across with just one match.

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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.