5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (25 July - Results & Review)

3. Thought This Was A Bit All Over The Place

It was a good idea on paper to have Jacob Fatu beat The Miz to tune up for SummerSlam’s steel cage war with Solo Sikoa, but the match fell flat. SmackDown was in Cleveland, and Miz’s pre-match promo played out more like he was a spirited babyface returning to avenge an injury. He even slapped Fatu to big cheers from the Ohio masses. It was weird.

Then, as if knowingly added to that strangeness, The Miz worked as a heel throughout the match. Again, this wasn't outright terrible, but the pair didn’t really get going before Solo and troops came out to watch and attention turned to them. Honestly? This would’ve flown better outside Miz’s hometown, because teasing a homecoming hero thing then working as a clear villain was odd. It stepped on Jacob's popularity a little bit.

To recap, Miz got in Fatu's face backstage, slapped him and warned that he wouldn't stand being disrespected or benched as collateral. Then, he came flying out in front of fans like they'd be delighted to see him, and...immediately slid back into an arrogant villain role like nothing in the preceding 5 minutes had happened. People in attendance visibly didn't know what to make of this.

Miz even smiled at Sikoa and his MFT troops around ringside when he had Jacob down on the mats. It came across loud and clear that WWE couldn't make their minds up on who should be heel and who should be baby in the match. The answer? Miz. Miz should've been the heel. Threatening Fatu's own face run just because WWE happened to be in Cleveland was silly.