6 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (March 1 - Results & Review)

by Jamie Kennedy

1. WWE's General Buzz

LA Knight Nick Aldis AJ Styles
WWE

The Rock acknowledging Roman, The Bloodline firing out challenges, Dakota Kai's ruse, Rey Mysterio's return, LA Knight running around backstage with a steel chair like peak-era Steve Austin - oh yes, SmackDown laid bare just how close to WrestleMania we are, and it's f'n great.

There was a general buzz about the episode that hasn't been there until now; not for two/three hours solid. Sure, several editions of Raw and SmackDown have been mighty, but the overall sense of danger pinning down almost everything that happened on Friday was special. If WWE could bottle this all year round then they'd make even more cash.

SmackDown flowed neatly from start to finish without easing up on the thrills. Even the lower-key points, like Bron Breakker's squash or the so-so main event shenanigans, had an energy about them that was...intoxicating. More is coming before 'Mania too, and that's a lovely, lovely thought.

The show's atmosphere was ace.

What did you think of this week's WWE SmackDown? For more like this, check out WWE 2K24: 15 Legends Who Must Be Included As DLC and AEW Revolution 2024: 10 Nightmares That Could Come True!

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Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.