6 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (17 Jan - Results & Review)

1. What Is He Even Gaining From This?

One benefit shouted loudly when WWE announced that SmackDown was beefing up to three hours? That previously overlooked talents would get more time onscreen to show what they can do. On the whole, that's true, but...what even is this stuff between Apollo Crews and Pretty Deadly? It's legit hard to know whether or not this deserves a chance and some patience.

Right now, Crews is sticking his nose into the tag-team scene without a partner. Maybe he'll get one eventually, but this does appear to be one of those mini-stories that WWE creative cares about for three weeks before getting bored and moving on without helping the worker in question. It could just be that this is Apollo's fate on the main roster. His promos are so jarring.

Here's a stark contrast: Bayley, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes and more came across as realistic human beings with real, evolving emotions on Friday night. Meanwhile, poor Crews looked like some extra in a backstage skit during 2K24's MyCareer. Nothing about his interactions with the PD boys feels natural, and it's tough to get pumped for a match between Apollo and Johnny Gargano knowing it'll only exist to plug a gap.

Sure, Crews is the victim of Baron Corbin's release, but it's hardly like WWE went all in on that duo either. Someone needs to sit down, bang some heads together and figure out a pathway for Apollo's character, because this ain't it. He's only on camera for around 60 seconds every week, and even that feels like a waste.