5 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 8)

4. Mandy Shocks Becky

Becky Lynch Mandy rose
WWE.com

The Absolution split kicked off with Paige declaring the group "dead" last week. Mandy Rose was booked to face Becky Lynch, with her and Sonya Deville left aghast by the decision. They tried to reconcile with the General Manager last night, but Paige was having none of it, and not only did she blow her former allies off, but she banned Deville from accompanying Rose in the Lynch match.

This mattered not. 'God's Greatest Creation' entered alone (accompanied by Corey Graves' skin-crawling platitudes), worked a quick bout with 'The Lass Kicker,' and stole the victory. She took a few licks throughout, but Rose's craftiness prevailed, as she survived the corner forearm to stun Becky against the ropes, then put her away with a surprise roll-up.

Lynch fans may have this as a Down, as it's very clear that the company have no interest in pushing her beyond the midcard anytime soon, and she just lost to a relative rookie. Still, it gave Rose some much-needed shine. Mandy will never build credibility if she's established as a loss machine from day one, and going over one of the division's most talented (and popular) performers gives her an instant rub. Let's see what WWE do with it.

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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.