6 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 16)

1. Fat Jokes

His number one contenders weren't in the building last night, but WWE Champion AJ Styles was. He conducted a brief interview with Renee Young after the Mahal vs. Woods contest, and while relatively routine, it finds itself on the 'Downs' list for one simple reason: fat-shaming.

'The Phenomenal One' stated that his upcoming bout with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens wasn't a 2-on-1 handicap match, but a 3-on-1. Why? Because "KO counts as two guys," apparently.

Perhaps this is nitpicking, but bulls*** like this should have no place in modern WWE programming. Yes, Owens is a husky guy, but focusing in on it isn't just reaching for the low-hanging fruit, but emasculating a guy who's supposed to be one of the company's top heels. Styles came off as a bully in the process, and while AJ was only reading from somebody else's script, the quip does his character no favours whatsoever.

WWE love poking fun at Kevin Owens' weight, and while their stubbornness is legendary, we must call them out every single time they resort to this gross tactic. Otherwise, nothing's ever going to change.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.