5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (16 May - Results & Review)

Downs...

3. More Of The Same For House Of Blah-ck

What was that about splitting hairs? One Aleister Black might want to split this fan's lip with a well-placed kick if he doesn't start showing some more patience, but here's the deal: More was expected of Black crashing back onto the WWE scene. Unfortunately, it already seems like he's right back to doing more of the same from the first time around.

Last week’s bout on the 9 May episode pre-Backlash vs. Carmelo Hayes didn’t land, and this was just more of the same. That's a real shame, because we just haven’t seen the Black from NXT since those days. Even in AEW. Where has he gone, and why isn’t anything clicking?! Look, this match wasn’t terrible by any means, but the story being told is very middle of the road - these dudes aren’t fighting over anything. Nothing is at stake.

Targeting someone like Aleister also doesn’t fit The Miz’s bold bid to turn ‘Melo Don’t Miz’ into a tag-team success either. They're feuding with a singles star, which won't get them anywhere close to that goal. It's just more treading water. Some might've enjoyed the match, but it didn’t work for this guy personally.

It feels like nothing is being achieved and creative will suddenly drop the mini-feud like a bad habit once Money In The Bank rolls into view. Yes, it's still early days for Black being back, but that's two largely wasted weeks for somebody people claimed would be a major player under Triple H.

Hopefully he can be during the second half of 2025.