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

4. A Fine Opener (And New Faction?)

Sheamus is loving life as a ring general.

The veteran worked wonders opposite GUNTHER last year, and he's been able to carry that momentum into pretty much every match he's had since. People expect greatness when Sheamus around now, and they know he'll never sh*t the bed. So, hopes were high for this clash with Austin Theory.

It didn't disappoint, and there's clearly way more to come from these guys. They're capable of taking it up a gear or two on pay-per-view in the future, put it that way. The addition of Pretty Deadly to even the odds has excused a babyface like Sheamus having his Brawling Brutes buddies in tow too.

There's also something here with Theory and Pretty Deadly forming a brand new group. Six-man tags sound logical, and they'd give the United States Title feud a fresh wrinkle to keep it going until Sheamus gets to challenge on an upcoming PLE (assuming that's the plan).

All-round goodness.