6 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Sept 11)

5. Dad Jeans

A supplemental Down for AJ Styles' terrible dress sense. What kind of self-respecting adult male, particularly one of his wealth, willingly exchanges currency for bootcut jeans in 2018? Honestly...

Jokes aside, the WWE Champion cut a solid little promo last night. Like Miz and Maryse seven days prior, he was found in an empty arena, but not as a means of indulging in 'The It Couple's' relentless troll tactics. Instead, AJ was presented in a situation that allowed him to keep his cool. Removed from all the sound and fury of the Samoa Joe feud, he acknowledged that his foe knew how to get inside his head and make him angry, placing himself on a higher level by saying he'd never go after the challenger's family.

Dipping into familiarly defiant territory by the end, the champ claimed that "the house that AJ Styles built is not for rent, or for sale." He reckons that while Joe has the upper-hand when it comes to mind-games, nobody holds an advantage over him between the ropes, and he'll prove it at Hell In A Cell.

WWE flipping their various formats is always appreciated, no matter how small the change. AJ's promo wasn't quite on the same level as his opponent's (which we'll get to later), but it delivered regardless.

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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.