5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (10 July - Results & Review)

4. Well, That Was Unexpected!

Baron Corbin Trick Williams
WWE.com

You've got to give WWE points for originality. Baron Corbin wrecking Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes was a genuine surprise. He laid both men out, then posed with the United States Title before leaving. Sure, this could fizzle out quickly, but let’s reserve judgement on that and give it a proper chance. It offered some cool shock value to this week's show, if nothing else, and that shouldn't be overlooked.

Trick and Melo were cooking by the end of their bout, but now fans have some pressing questions: Why did Corbin go after the US Title? Did somebody send him to take out both men here? Why did Danhausen let him out from under that sheet in his lab to go to town on these boys? OK, maybe skip that last one. It's pretty clear that Baron won't be Danhausen's very own Frankenstein's monster now.

Corbs got a cracking reception from the live crowd. People seemed legit surprised to see him, as they should be. There were some rumours about a WWE comeback swirling, but nothing concrete. It's also rather intriguing that Triple H elected to bring Baron back as a heel (just guessing there, but he's gone after 2 definite babyfaces) when he was a face before getting released in November 2024.

Obviously, it remains to be seen how long WWE can sustain interest, but...let's give this a chance. After all, Baron was arguably doing some of his best work for the organisation before being cut loose for the always-crummy budget cut reasons.

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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.