6 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (24 May - Results & Review)

5. Not Everyone's Choice, But…

Sure, most (including this writer) would've preferred to see Bianca Belair vs. Lyra Valkyria because it's a much better match on paper than Lyra vs. Nia Jax, but the story WWE told on Friday was a decent one. Instead of battling Belair, Valkyria will have to overcome Nia's bullying ways and confidence to become Queen Of The Ring.

All signs point to the newcomer winning, of course, but there's a solid degree of drama to everything framing her success. Creative also kept Jax vs. Bayley in their back pockets by having Nia wait for the champ at Gorilla before reminding her that she could be a colossal challenge come SummerSlam.

Tidy booking there.

Jax cut an inspired promo in-ring with Kayla Braxton about taking out someone as decorated as Belair. Why would Lyra think she has a hope in hell after sitting ringside to watch that happen? Again, everything is neat and tidy with this. It'd be a lie to say the women's tourney has been as exciting as the men's, but yours truly has to eat some humble pie on Nia advancing.