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

2. Contenders Assemble

The Usos
WWE.com

How great is SmackDown's tag division at the moment?

The Usos vs. New Day was the brand's strongest feud of the year, and while there was a real danger WWE would marginalise the division following its conclusion, this doesn't seem to be the case. The bookers recognise that people are more invested in the scene than ever before, and demonstrated this by having The Usos and their many contenders dominate SmackDown's opening hour, starting with a crowded in-ring segment.

Jimmy and Jey began by gloating about their big Hell in a Cell victory (the best WWE main roster match of the year, for my money), and called out The New Day. Instead of scrapping with Kofi, Big E, and Woods, they signed an "Uce truce" (ugh...), then moved onto new targets, with the Hype Bros, Fashion Police, Ascension, and Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin soon joining them in the ring.

The teams got into it, and Daniel Bryan arrived towards the end, booking everyone but The New Day in a contendership bout. Sure, we've seen this kind of revolving door segment a thousand times before, but the spotlight afforded to the tag division negates any complaints. Long may it continue.

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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.