5 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Dec 10)

1. No Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns WWE SmackDown
WWE

Some fans may argue that Roman Reigns doesn't need to be on television every single week. That's a fair claim, but it's become real clear that SmackDown badly needs its 'Tribal Chief' to maintain a relevant edge for two hours. Roman was a huge miss on this week's show.

WWE also gave the game away early by telling viewers that the brand's World Champion wasn't in the house at all. This felt like a mistake, because it ripped away any mystique surrounding Brock Lesnar's planned appearances; wouldn't it have been nice to tease that Reigns was messing with his challenger's mind and plotting an ambush?

Not according to WWE.

Weirdly, Sami Zayn threatened Paul Heyman in Roman's absence too. That made next-to-no sense, especially when The Usos were in LA and could've backed up their cousin's "Special Council". It's little things like this that count to those paying attention.

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.