5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Feb 26)

3. Asking The Logical Questions

Daniel Bryan Roman Reigns
WWE.com

Babyface logic rocks.

SmackDown kicked off with Roman Reigns warning Edge not to go ahead with their match at WrestleMania 37. That prompted Daniel Bryan, who got his arse handed to him at the Chamber, to come out and get in Roman's face about it. Then, Dan asked why the 'Head Of The Table' had settled for wrestling the second match on that pay-per-view.

That was brilliant. Bryan was on top form here as a dignified face who had nothing to lose, and his mic work was complemented by some expert facials from both Reigns and Paul Heyman behind him. By questioning Roman's willingness to give up the main event spot to other champions (Drew McIntyre), Daniel instantly added intrigue to this mini-feud.

WWE's opening monologues can suffocate programming, but not lately, and especially not when Roman is involved. Put him in there with someone as skilled as Bryan and it just clicks. This was a very, very good opening segment.

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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.