5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (July 8)

4. The Viking Raiders Look Strong, Strong, Strong!

Erik Kofi Kingston Viking Raiders New Day
WWE.com

Putting The Viking Raiders over the joke team of Jinder Mahal and Shanky in just over one minute was a fine plan on this week's show. Then, to further capitalise on this new bad ass vibe Erik and Ivar are working, creative had them swat New Day members Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods away.

This is good stuff.

These are promising early signs for The Raiders. Here's hoping it lasts, because this is the best they've ever looked on WWE's main roster. Also, New Day's official ass-beating ticket idea was cool too - it was funny without going overboard and stomping all over Erik and Ivar's serious presentation.

Building the viking pair up for another few months this way will lead to another Tag-Team Title run. There's no way around it, because they're making the most of everything WWE hands them right now and that deserves to be rewarded.

Post-Usos, whenever that is, The Raiders should dominate.

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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.