6 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 15)

5. Finally...

Zelina Vega Andrade Almas
WWE.com

Andrade 'Cien' Almas' long-awaited main roster debut finally took place last night, with the former NXT Champion meeting local jobber Jake Constantino near the show's halfway point, and it was exactly what it needed to be. After a brief lock-up, Almas took his foe down, shook off a dropkick, chopped him up, then finished him off with his signature corner knees followed by the Hammerlock DDT. 80 seconds was all it took, and he looked dominant in putting his scrubby opponent away in such decisive fashion.

Zelina Vega grabbed the microphone afterwards, telling the audience she and Andrade were disappointed with the competition offered on their first night. She then ran down the roster, before signing off with the proclamation that they weren't there to play nice, but to take over.

It was an encouraging start for a ready-made upper-card act, though it would've been cool to see Almas thrust straight into the spotlight, perhaps through Money In The Bank qualification. But the tried-and-tested jobber-squashing format still works. Almas and Vega will be stars in no time, and it'll be interesting to see where they land over the coming weeks.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.