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

2. Roman Reigns Barks At Sami Zayn

Roman Reigns Sami Zayn Bloodline
WWE.com

This was a standout moment for sure.

Roman eventually lost his cool and roared at Zayn during the opening segment. He wanted to know why Sami had lost to Cena and Owens last week (refusing to take any of the blame himself for what happened), and then asked why Zayn is running around trying to be him when he should be focusing on Bloodline business.

Special mention must go to Paul Heyman's facial expressions in the background - they were masterful, and the way WWE's cameras faded in and out of focus on the manager when it mattered was sensational production. Also, the entire Bloodline subtly moved away from Sami when Roman was shouting at him, which was awesome.

We're into 2023 now and this group is still wrestling's greatest gift. If WWE can keep this ticking over the next few weeks and find a way to convince people that Zayn could cost Reigns come the Rumble, then they'll take things up yet another notch.

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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.