5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (22 May - Results & Review)

1. Top Main Event & Sami The Scumbag

Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn in the main event slot was predictably excellent. Workers this slick can produce bangers like they come easy, but that doesn't put enough respect on Cody or Sami's names. In execution, Zayn's heelish desperation is working for him mid-match, and Cody selling an injured leg after spilling over the announce desk was good, old-school presentation.

Also, a post-match sleeper from Gunther led to Zayn ditching the chance to help his “friend” Rhodes, so that was great character work from everyone. All in all, this match into angle was a super strong way to end the episode. It could well be the best closing stretch SmackDown has had for ages. Maybe that's not as high praise as it seems depending on how you've viewed the blue brand lately, but there was a lot to like as the show went off the air on Friday evening.

Sami's little conflicted/sad walk back down the aisle as Gunther posed with the WWE Title over a fallen Cody made for an ace visual too. Don't forget that the 'Ring General' is somebody Zayn previously fought tooth and nail against, so it can't have been easy for his character to walk away as Gunther pasted Rhodes (a man Sami hoisted up once he won the title at 'Mania 40).

That Gingerbread Man sideshow was a regrettable slice of so-called comedy during Zayn's heel turn, but it looks like he's getting right back on track. A Triple Threat like Cody vs. Sami vs. Gunther could work after Clash In Italy too. Again, just putting that out there incase the universe is listening.

What did you think of this week's WWE SmackDown? For more wrestling, check out 10 WWE Jobbers Who Became Wrestling GAME-CHANGERS and The Hardest WCW Quiz EVER - Test Your Knowledge!