5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 6)

1. “Sure, Whatever!”

Kevin Owens
WWE.com

That nonchalant reply sucked.

Roman Reigns heard Kevin Owens' challenge for a title bout at Royal Rumble, then said: "Yeah, sure. Whatever!". This one line did nothing to sell the match as important; everyone knows it's background noise to the bubbling tension between Roman and Sami Zayn, but at least try to make it seem like KO is some sort of threat.

Reigns palmed him off here like he was Triple H giving The Brooklyn Brawler an exhibition-esque title shot back during the 'Attitude Era', and that is not a favourable comparison. This writer also isn't sure what went on with Roman yelling that he wants Owens gone "forever".

This sort of suggested a 'Title vs. Career' stip at the Rumble, but that clearly isn't WWE's plan. So, Kev had to add in a remark about not going away for good before questioning Zayn's balls and leaving. The first half of this skit was great (more on that to come), but the second? Meh.

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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.