5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (14 Feb)
Hulka-moan-ia.
Nothing says Valentine's Day like another throwaway episode of SmackDown, right?
That's not strictly fair. There was a lot to love on this week's show, and it was a hell of a lot better than last week's dire edition. Going in, fans were expecting Hulk Hogan's first appearance for a few months, some more soft build towards Super ShowDown in (quiet now) Saudi Arabia and maybe a little inkling towards what's in store at WrestleMania.
It's totally odd that WWE seems devoid of that 'Mania magic since the Royal Rumble though. That lack of spark owes a lot to the fun blockades known as Super ShowDown and Elimination Chamber on the horizon, but there's also something more that's stopping the company from really kicking into high gear before rocking up on Tampa.
Friday's SmackDown was evidence of that, but there are some beams of light flashing through the cracks. Basically, if you love SmackDown's women's division, adore when nostalgic acts are used the right way and like generous helpings of WWE sports entertainment, then this was a solid show.
Here are all the 'Ups' and 'Downs' from it...