5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 1)

3. Babyface Exhibition

Big E's Intercontinental Title win on the Christmas Day edition of SmackDown was a landmark moment in his resurgent singles career. Beating a delusional (and excellent) heel like Sami Zayn was the proverbial icing on top of the cake, but what came next was always going to be more important.

It's Apollo Crews.

Crews has done sod all since being drafted from Raw to SmackDown. Suddenly, despite never winning a match to earn it, he's allowed to put himself forward for E's "open challenge" and bag a title shot next week. Again, this isn't inspiring or likeable behaviour, especially when the crux of Sami's frustrations is that he's overlooked.

E vs. Crews is the kind of babyface vs. babyface bout that just seems skippable too. There's almost nothing about it that screams "must see"; WWE may have been better-served putting 'King' Corbin in this spot. Big E needs strong/obvious heel challengers.