5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Nov 18)

1. A Missed Opportunity

Braun Strowman New Day
WWE.com

The whole thing felt like a colossal missed opportunity.

New Day didn't need a bounce back win after losing their Tag Title record to The Usos. Imperium, meanwhile, definitely could've used a tag-team win over a duo the standing of Kofi and Woods, but they didn't get one here. WWE probably picked the wrong result.

Triple H's team could've had that GUNTHER vs. Braun tease even in defeat for the faces. Kaiser or Vinci pinning one of the New Day lads would've kept them strong, and the IC Champ still could've met his physical match in Strowman as an extra layer.

Imperium looked too weak on Friday night, and that's a pity. GUNTHER's crew has been one of the blue brand's strengths for months; nobody's saying they need to be a main focus every week, but at least throw the backup members a crumb or two where possible.

Advertisement
Contributor

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.