6 Ups & 1 Down From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (June 27)

2. Rare Fire From Randy Orton

Randy Orton is regularly SmackDown’s most boring performer. He might be one of the most decorated competitors in WWE history, but he rarely gives the impression that he’s giving 100%, with his promos and matches coming off flat, bland, and uninspiring as a result. His recent run as WWE Champion was insipid, and since losing the belt, ‘The Viper’ has spent is time cutting a near identical promo on Jinder Mahal every week, building little excitement in the process.

Fortunately, last night was a break from the norm. Orton sounded genuinely angry as he recounted the way Mahal had defeated him at Money In The Bank, and promised to make the champ’s life hell until he received a rematch. He started making his way to the back, ready to lay into Jinder, but Shane McMahon interrupted, booked a title fight for Battleground, on the condition that Mahal chose the stipulation.

Jinder quickly decided on a Punjabi Prison match. Given how bad the gimmick's previous incarnations were, this isn’t exactly the most exciting announcement in the world, but it came on the back of some great delivery by Orton. The feud has been deeply mediocre, but if Orton and Mahal can maintain this standard of segment until Battleground, perhaps it’ll turn around.