6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Dec 4)
5. Subtly Smart Diva Framing
Apparently, Carmella's defined role is 'Diva' to Sasha Banks' serious pro wrestler.
That's fine, 'cause both women suit those roles nicely. Hardcore fans do view 'Mella as someone WWE routinely push despite a lack of stunning in-ring skills, and Banks is seen as someone who credibly established herself as a worker in NXT. They clash nicely as natural rivals.
The pair's sit down interview was well-worked for what it was. Explaining why both had to talk from separate locations (they've been attacking one another for weeks and would likely scrap again) was smart, and it's genuinely nice to have a fresh-feeling opponent for Sasha after months of Bayley.
Their insults were predictable here, but that doesn't mean they were bad. Again, this was exactly what it needed to be, and framing Carmella as the antithesis of Banks should work out well when they finally square off at TLC.