6 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Mar 27)

PLEASE NOTE: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SOFT 'SPOILERS' ON THE WRESTLEMANIA 36 CARD CHANGES. NO ACTUAL MATCH RESULTS ARE INCLUDED, BUT THERE IS TALK OF FORMAT CHANGES AND WRESTLERS WHO DIDN'T WORK THE TAPINGS. JUST A HEADS UP.

WrestleMania 36 is on the horizon, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

WWE are trying though - they deserve credit for that. It'd be easy to throw the towel in due to the ongoing health concern, the lack of fans flocking to some massive stadium for the biggest show of the year and all of the changes being forced upon the company. Instead of crying uncle, Vince McMahon and company plod on.

"Plod" is the operative word here. It's going to be difficult to get oneself up for 'Mania (even across two nights), and that's reflected in the booking on TV. This...just isn't coming across as a big deal anymore despite everyone's best efforts, and yet there's still enough to enjoy that the product is scraping by, albeit barely.

This week's SmackDown had more good than bad. It really did, and some talents are maximising the unique opportunities this current climate affords them. That's a big positive. Others? Not so much, although the writers aren't doing quite enough to meet the roster halfway.

Here are all the 'Ups' and 'Downs' from another empty arena Friday...