6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Nov 25)

1. Braun Strowman Loses, But…

Braun Strowman GUNTHER Ludwig Kaiser Giovanni Vinci Imperium
WWE.com

This fan hates to dump on Ricochet picking up a win, but there are a few asterisks on that victory. Firstly, Rico won via distraction with a roll-up style opportunistic finish rather than anything strong. Second, him reaching the final of the 'SmackDown World Cup' instantly became background noise.

GUNTHER and his Imperium pals attacked Braun Strowman, which means WWE weren't slinging a fake out with that booking in recent weeks; they plan on booking Braun to challenge GUNTHER for the Intercontinental Title, which is...the entire point of this World Cup tournament in the first place.

In other words, the winner will get a one-off shot vs. GUNTHER before WWE focuses on the real story they want to tell with Strowman. Nobody has a problem with Braun challenging for the IC belt, but scripting that feud alongside a tournament for the same prize is a bit clumsy and ill-thought out.

How avoidable.

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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.