5 Ups And 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 26)

WWE.com

3. Zack Ryder Gets To At Least Look Competitive

Alberto Del Rio Zack Ryder
WWE.com

Coming in out of the cold, Alberto Del Rio looks to finally have some sense of purpose again on WWE television. Put plainly, the Mexican hasn't been used to his maximum since returning in October. An unfulfilling run as United States Champion, awkward alliance with Zeb Colter and membership in the League Of Nations didn't cut it.

On SmackDown, Del Rio defeated Zack Ryder to qualify for the upcoming Money In The Bank Ladder Match. Handed just shy of 10 minutes, Del Rio and Ryder did everything they could to put on a competitive match. That was key, Ryder didn't look like some jobber there to make up the numbers, even if he did eventually lose.

When Zack hit the Rough Ryder, Alberto smartly rolled to the floor. Recuperating, he was then hurled back into the ring by his foe, before locking on an Arm Bar submission. The whole thing worked perfectly, Ryder looked desperate to win and Del Rio looked like a conniving heel.

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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.