5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (30 Jan - Results & Review)

Downs...

4. Guys Worked Hard, But The Story Sucks

Axiom Fraxiom Nathan Frazer Johnny Gargano
WWE.com

That aforementioned 'Bron Breakker is #1' graphic set the tone for Johnny Gargano's latest battle with the boys from Fraxiom. They had nothing to do with that production hiccup, of course, but it turned out to be the most newsworthy thing about their segment on this week's show, and that's a problem. A real problem. This mask stuff Fraxiom, Gargano and Candice LeRae have going on just isn't interesting whatsoever.

This week, Nick Aldis banned Candice from ringside and said the couple would have to give Axiom his mask back if Gargano lost. Thrilling. Johnny and Axiom proceeded to work their tails off in a solid enough match, but the story backdrop managed to drag everything right down around them. Look, most appreciate that WWE is trying to find things for these folks to do, but that doesn’t mean anyone has to find it compelling.

Gargano and Axiom tried to get clever with the double mask finish, but lord knows why Axiom has coveted that specific hood. Was it his first ever mask? Did a family member give it to him as a gift? Did he stash a cheeky 10 bucks in there, or something?. Laughably, come the pin, Michael Cole said: “The saga is over”. Behave, sir. That came across as a trolling comment from the lead play by play man, which certainly can't have been intentional.

Hopefully, we can draw a line under this tale now that Axiom has his mask back. Perhaps creative can have Nathan Frazer poach LeRae's hairbrush next. Y'know, so the "saga" can roll on.

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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.