6 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (21 Mar - Results & Review)
Downs...
2. Braun & Jacob Fall Short
Bit on context needed for that potentially shocking sub-heading.
Being fair, neither Braun Strowman or Jacob Fatu were helped by WWE's booking here. Sure, the broader story is Fatu being miffed that Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga effectively cost him the chance to become US Title number one contender, but the match wasn’t great before that interference anyway. There was a baffling lack of intensity between guys who have been ripping one another apart since a brutal Saturday Night’s Main Event war months ago.
Nothing bell to bell lived up to the billing or matched the kind of violence people have come to expect from this pairing, unfortunately, The only spot that came close involved the announce desk, but even that didn't really go anywhere before 'Don't Call 'Em The New Bloodline' rushed out to force the disqualification result.
LA Knight evened the odds, but that also looked a wee bit daft because LA was helping the guy he’s wrestling for the belt next week rather than just letting Solo, Fatu and Tama soften him up. Wade Barrett called that out on commentary, which indirectly made Knight look like wrestling's latest dumb babyface. Knight should be more cerebral than this, if only 'cause he skirts the tweener line sometimes.
Overall, Braun vs. Jacob was a letdown. It's doubtful they're keeping their powder dry for one more clash as well - WWE seems to have had their fill of the combo and fancies lining up some United States multi-man thrills instead. Let's hope the word "thrills" rings true there. It didn't here.