5 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Oct 10)

1. Unfathomable Tedium

Bobby Roode
WWE.com

The biggest issue with WWE's midcard feuds in 2017 is that they just go on, and on, and on, even when the fans aren't responding. One pay-per-view isn't enough anymore. The creative team are so bereft of ideas that they'll drag even the most tedious storyline well beyond its natural conclusion, and this is exactly what's happening with Dolph Ziggler vs. Bobby Roode.

WWE totally failed at getting 'The Glorious One' over at Hell in a Cell. Going 50/50 with the lowly 'Show-Off,' cheating to win, Dolph's post-match assault: none of it did anything for him. On a night when Bobby Roode should've looked like a million dollars, he was presented as just another guy, and the feud's continuation won't solve this problem.

Last night saw the duo engage in another boring promo battle, with Ziggler using Roode grabbing his tights at HIAC as justification for a rematch. Bobby agreed, and called for the match to go down there and then, but Ziggler refused, stating he'll be the one to dictate when the bout takes place. There was nothing entertaining about the content, and the duo left as they'd entered: with nobody else giving a damn.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.