5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (23 Jan - Results & Review)

4. Whoop That Trick (Literally)

There were grumbles aplenty with Friday's main event, but yours truly has no problems with the opening promo train segment. Trick Williams had to eat some humble pie after the way he’s been throwing his weight around since arriving on SmackDown, and this did a fine enough job of setting the scene for his match vs. Damian Priest and the Fatal-4-Way at SNME.

Also, nice transition by WWE from that trio into a fired up promo from Randy Orton. This sort of thing is exactly what TV is for, and it was never boring. Unlike the headliner. Seriously though, there's a lot to like about Sami Zayn's heartfelt quest to become World/WWE Champion, Trick is coming across as an arrogant git who believes his own hype, and Priest is living proof of learning to walk before you can run on the main roster.

Randy looking on from behind the scenes but refusing to get involved until he could pick the right moment fit his status too - Cathy Kelley even brought that up when approaching 'The Viper' for a few comments. Then, Orton called it a dumb question likely because he knew he'd been rumbled. Cathy = investigative journalist.

Seeing veterans like Zayn and Priest double up on Williams but still have their own aggro going on is realistic and in-fitting with the Fatal-4-Way come Saturday. Honestly, WWE could've left it here without what happened later on at the end of the show. That opening segment gave SNME's match enough build.

They didn't actually need the Priest vs. Trick match to put a bow on things.