5 Ups And 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (June 16)

Ups...

5. Opening Segment Set A Nice Tone For The Show

Dean Ambrose Chris Jericho Cesaro Kevin Owens Sami Zayn Alberto Del Rio
WWE.com

When there are characters like Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose around, promo segments on WWE television are likely to be entertaining. The opening of SmackDown called for Jericho to host the 'Highlight Reel', naturally then being interrupted by all of his opponents in the Money In The Bank Ladder match.

A brawl then ensued, with babyfaces and heels pairing off into one-on-one fights. Logically, Ambrose and Jericho went at it, something that makes sense due to their latest feud against one another. Intriguingly, when Sami Zayn emerged, he and Cesaro seemed to be at loggerheads, adding another dynamic to the upcoming ladder bout.

Lengthy speaking skits that set up matches later on the show are nothing new in WWE, but this one was relevant to the upcoming pay-per-view and necessary to sell the boiling tension that's brewing. If nothing else, it set up the main event, but also put over the importance of winning Money In The Bank.

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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.