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

4. Roxanne Perez & Alexa Bliss Shine

There was another tidy women's division effort earlier in the broadcast too.

Alexa Bliss and Roxanne Perez put together a solid little match here. It wasn’t as good as Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez last week (which was a power vs. power battle), but it was still watchable and built towards SummerSlam’s title match nicely. Seeing Bliss back to her in-ring best is pleasing, because there was a while there when that seemed like something that'd never happen.

The subtle idea that Flair isn’t as good at being there for Alexa as Bliss is for her works well. By going this route, they can keep thoughts of Charlotte treachery alive. For now, Alexa is choosing to trust someone she head-hunted as a tag-team partner. Keep that bit in your heads too, because it might be important; Flair can point it out in future heel promos if need be.

WWE kinda had to go into the Women’s Tag Title bout at SummerSlam 50/50 with a singles win for each squad. Personally, this writer has no problems with it. Rodriguez matched up well vs. Charlotte on the 18 July SmackDown anyway, and Perez came across as a sneaky/opportunistic kind of worker who capitalised on Raquel's distraction to score the win.

Not every single match on every single TV show needs to be a 5-star classic. Sometimes, lacing the thing with enough story and character work is enough. Speaking of enough, there was more than enough action to help this one enter the 'Ups' section with ease. Fab work, everyone.