5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 May - Results & Review)

4. A Surprise Women’s US Package

Cards on the table: This fan went into Zelina Vega vs. Piper Niven expecting to roll his eyes at an all too short, unsatisfying match that didn't do much to sell the former as a worthy Women's United States Champ. Then, something wonderful happened. The bell sounded, and...Vega was the spitfire babyface fighting from underneath against a sneering powerhouse who took her eye off the ball when it mattered most.

That's simple storytelling, but it worked a treat for this pairing. There was a neat power vs. speed element to their match, and the live crowd did come with Zelina as she gritted her teeth and sold like the rent was due. Again, can't lie, there was eye-rolling aplenty once Nick Aldis set this bout up in a backstage skit, but it's refreshing to get slapped in the face and told to shut up by two workers giving their all with a simple, easy to understand story.

Honestly, it's still an uphill battle to convince everybody that taking the title off Chelsea Green so suddenly was the right call, but you've got to treat each match/segment fairly too. It was lovely to go in with really low expectations then be pleasantly surprised by what these women accomplished.

Good on them for snapping back at preconceived notions!

Perhaps Zelina can work out as a sympathetic babyface getting a big push post-WrestleMania 41 after all. Immense credit has to go to Niven for knowing exactly when to lay it on thick with the heel heat sections and when to let Vega dazzle her with speed. This was a ring general's performance from the Scot.