6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (29 May - Results & Review)

2. Never Less Than Watchable

It's really cool that he's been switching things up inside the ring as well. Sami vs. Matt Cardona had logical setup backstage, then turned into a fun watch. One of the best things about Zayn as a heel is that he can give any babyface some believable shine out there without scuffing his own star power. Thus, this turned into a well worked match with plenty of fire from Cardona.

Sami escaping with a foot draped over the ropes was cool, then his Helluva Kick landed flush for the 3 count. Oh yes, they’ve really recovered from the Gingerbread Man silliness well. That was an unfortunate few weeks of unwanted "comedy" for Zayn mid-heel turn, but WWE has managed to pull the nose up on everything and focus on things that'll actually get him heat rather than 'ha ha'.

Cardona surely knew that this was the kind of role he was destined for when the call came in from Trips. He's a 'jobber to the stars', which sounds derisive but isn't meant that way. Matt can bump around for guys, sure, but he'll relish being the aggressor/bigger man in matches like this one vs. Sami. As a heel, Zayn is still extremely giving out there.

He didn't really cheat as much as he can been lately, but even bad guys don't need to resort to cheap tactics all the time. It's nice to mix that formula up and showcase Sami's strengths as a pro wrestler too. Nothing wrong with variation.

Well played, gentlemen.