5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 27)

4. Big Man/Little Man Goodness

Braun Strowman Ricochet
WWE.com

Adam Pearce announced Braun Strowman and Ricochet as last-minute replacements for an otherwise-preoccupied Drew McIntyre/Sheamus combo. There's already something about Rico and Braun as a team that works; Strowman's power game complements Ricochet's high-flying nicely.

Imagine the spots these guys can work once they gel?

Hit Row barely even got a proper look in from creative here. They were always in this semi final to take the 'L', and that was true whether their original opponents could work the bout or not. Let's be honest here, Top Dolla, Ashante Adonis and B-FAB are gonna struggle heading into 'Mania.

They're far from over (as babyfaces or heels), but the future looks much brighter for Braun and Rico. They were solid replacements for the ousted McIntyre and Sheamus, and fans did seem to respond in kind to their big man/little man dynamic.

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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.