6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (9 Jan - Results & Review)

1. Why Did Cody Go After Jacob Fatu?

That finish was also a little diluted and clumsy.

Jacob Fatu returned seeking revenge on Drew McIntyre for seemingly laying him out a few months back. He entered the steel cage and started laying into the Scot. Then, somewhat bizarrely, Cody Rhodes pulled Jacob off his nemesis and started fighting with him instead. Why the hell did this happen?! If anything, Rhodes would've appreciated the assist that deep into a tough match.

Listen, everyone knows that Cody is supposed to be a valiant hero who doesn't take shortcuts, but Rhodes having any beef with Fatu makes zero sense at this point. This was one of those moments critics can point to and say with confidence that stupid babyfaces are stupid. If Cody didn't want to win because Jacob interfered, then fair enough, but putting more spotlight on Fatu and Rhodes fighting than Fatu and McIntyre?

Hmm, no. Not a good call from the agent laying this main event out.

They'd argue that the finish needed something of the sort to justify Drew's escape. He slipped out the back door whilst Fatu and Rhodes were trading blows. Fair enough, but there was a slicker way to go about things. Jacob accidentally hitting Cody, thus taking his eye off the ball for just a second so McIntyre could get out, would've been better. Just saying.

Again, like earlier with Trick Willy, the most important thing is the broader outcome and some movement on the story going forwards. Acknowledging that whilst nagging that the actual execution could've been smoother is absolutely allowed.