6 Ups And 7 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Nov 22)

1. Tanks For Nothing

SmackDown Tank
WWE.com

Don't ever let it not be said that Michael Cole is an idiot. As DX... sorry, NXT invaded SmackDown in their tank (actually, like last time, a jeep), headed by two of the same belligerents as the squad sent to Norfolk Scope two decades ago, the WWE mouthpiece barked "This isn't 1998!"

He's not wrong. But he then reached a separate, contradictory conclusion that he had "never seen anything like this." That's WWE's narrative consistency in microcosm right there.

Outside of Cole being Cole, the wider issue with this showtanking (showjeeping) was that though it was undoubtedly a 'cool' visual - albeit with a nonsensical nod to the past - it was also entirely contrary to the concept of linear storytelling. This NXT infantry are all brothers in arms on Friday because of t-shirts, but literally the very next night will go to war - yes, war, it's called WarGames - with each other.

It's ludicrous that we're expected to buy into two separate canons which also, somehow, co-exist within the same narrative. If it wasn't for the strength of the matches themselves this Sunday, it'd be impossible to care about any of it with plot holes you could drive a tank... no, a jeep through.

It's not a f*cking tank.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.