6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (April 30)

5. Commander Azeez Saves His Man

Big E Commander Azeez
WWE.com

What was that about rematches? Again though, this somehow worked.

Speaking of "worked", that's exactly what Big E and Apollo Crews did. Both men had their working boots on, and they seemed determined to offset WWE's questionable booking (running a straight up one-on-one bout after a gimmick match had already happened on pay-per-view could've ruined things) by putting in a shift.

Besides, it'd be churlish to whine about Commander Azeez looking like an asset to the reigning Intercontinental Champion. He effectively saved Apollo's skin by attacking Big E following a 'Big Ending' and pin attempt, then continued to show dominance after the bell by soaking up blows from E and Kevin Owens.

This double act has a chance if WWE keep booking them this way. It's cool for Crews to look cowardly - that's why he has a heater in the first place. Creative's next challenge is moving E away from the IC belt without making him look weak.

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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.