5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (18 Sept - Results & Review)

1. Did The Ref Screw Up?

Kevin Owens Sami Zayn
WWE.com

Eek! What happened here then?

The official only counted to 2 after CM Punk nailed Kevin Owens in the main event. That was clearly supposed to be 3, because KO didn’t kick out at all and Sami looked mighty confused. Yeah, everyone should be real grateful that fans were too busy chanting for Punk to notice, because that was messy and uncoordinated to say the least. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick to score the win regardless, but it would’ve been better had he capitalised on Punk’s actions like he was obviously supposed to.

There’s space in the ‘Ups’ for this match, because it was tremendous on the whole, but that finish sucked the life out of things a little. Credit to veterans like Sami and Kev for sticking with it and going into the Helluva Kick. Some on social media have suggested that Owens called an audible, but he didn't even really haul his shoulder off the mat. If he wanted to extend the match another 30 seconds or so, then he would've kicked out with some force, so that doesn't add up.

Plus, we've all been watching pro wrestling long enough to know from a ref or wrestler's face when something's gone awry. Zayn was perplexed, and the official had that sheepish look in his eye. It was a proper clanger in such an important match. Thank God it didn't spoil things completely, but it is worth noting in the 'Downs' section here.

Oh well, better screwing up on TV than in the main event of WrestleMania huh?

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.