5 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sept 12)

by Andy H Murray

1. Of COURSE The Usos Vs. New Day Ruled

Kofi Kingston Jey Uso
WWE.com

It’d be easy to put the Kevin Owens/Vince McMahon segment in this slot given it’s card position and level of significance, but in our eyes, The Usos vs. New Day was SmackDown’s biggest highlight.

Yes, we’ve seen the match many times before, but who cares when the action is this good? The two teams were outstanding again last night, and while this Street Fight was a level or two below their phenomenal SummerSlam encounter, it’s impossible for them to have a bad match together. Their chemistry is off the charts, and they made great use of the stipulation without turning it into a garbage brawl - a rare skill in modern day WWE.

A Midnight Hour sealed the deal for The New Day, ending The Usos’ second SmackDown Tag Team Title reign at just 23 days. The hot-shotting will annoy some, but again, the matches have been awesome. Much like Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte last year, this is one of those situations where passing the belts back and forth does nothing to hinder the gold or the angle, such is the level of in-ring quality.

The future now looks unclear, as there’s a real danger WWE will burn this great series out if they book another string of rematches. Regardless, this was a fast-paced, action-packed clash from two teams who work extremely well together.

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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.