6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (June 23)

by Jamie Kennedy

1. Rugged Rasslin’ With A Top Finish

Sheamus Solo Sikoa
WWE.com

Sheamus vs. Solo has been getting mixed reviews online since it happened, but this writer was a big fan of it. Why? Well, neither man rushed through a wealth of spots for starters. They took their time, and their main event was better for that slow pacing. Everything meant something, including Sikoa working on Sheamus' back.

Crowds gobble Sheamus up as a rough and tough babyface these days, and Solo knows how to play the no-nonsense heel to perfection. Pacing was king in this match, but the pair did up the tempo towards the end. Some folks might hate the finish 'cause it was a ref stoppage too, but it made Sikoa look like a cold, destructive monster.

Credit has to go to Cole on commentary for weaving in last week's Bloodline split as justification for Solo losing his head too; he said "the rage of the betrayal of his brothers" had got to Sikoa, which is why he blasted Sheamus through the ringside barrier.

Top match, one not even a slightly unpopular finish (with some) could spoil.

What did you think of this week's WWE SmackDown? For more wrestling, check out 10 Wrestlers Who NEED To Get Out Of AEW and 10 Wrestlers WWE Dropped The Ball On TWICE!

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Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.