6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (8 May - Results & Review)

5. Keys & Tama Mesh Well

Royce Keys Tama Tonga
WWE.com

The same could be said for Royce Keys vs. Tama Tonga. They could easily work some sort of singles title feud someday, 'cause it's clear they're capable of even better. "Even better" suggests that this was decent but not spectacular, and that's a fair summary. Keys beat Tama in a competitive showdown that might take some people by surprise though. It showcased a lot of what Royce does well.

Special word to Tonga though. He’s way better than WWE may ever let him show as a standalone star. It's a relief that he survived the recent roster cull and brutal butchering of Solo's MFTs group. Fingers and toes crossed Tama can show management what he's capable of once he breaks free from Sikoa's nest and either teams with or feuds against Shinsuke Nakamura.

Personally, this fan appreciates that both guys were given roughly 10 minutes of ring time to work with, and that they were effectively in the main event (at least in terms of matches) of SmackDown. That was a neat show of faith in Royce and Tama, and they didn't let anyone down. Another upside is that Solo and Tonga, Solo and Talla or Talla and Tama could challenge for the tag straps Damian Priest and R-Truth hold once more.

Why not, eh?

It's lovely to see 2 wrestlers just go out there, work a solid match and mesh well. Keys and Tonga have visible chemistry as rivals. Both enjoy laying it in, and they don't shirk a few stiff shots back. That's a positive.

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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.