6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 20)
Downs...
4. No Squash Needed
The LA Knight stuff on this week's show was good overall (more on that later), but him squashing Ren Jones in 58 seconds definitely wasn't needed. This writer doesn't really see LA as the kind of dude who needs this sort of match - he's much more when effective cutting promos than winning squashes.
Stick him in a competitive bout? Sure, but maybe leave the local enhancement talent squashes to others.
Knight also hurled Jones over the top rope before being interrupted by Bray Wyatt and the 'Firefly Fun House' stuff. Typically, that'd give Michael Cole a chance to hype up the Royal Rumble match. LA isn't in that bout though, so it kinda happened for no reason.
Fingers crossed this isn't all WWE has in mind for Knight post-"Pitch Black" scenario vs. Wyatt, because squashes won't do much for him long-term. The one-time Max Dupri has excelled during this feud, so he deserves more.