7 Problems Plaguing WWE SmackDown Right Now

It seems odd to say SmackDown lacks a midcard when AJ Styles and Kevin Owens are currently feuding over the United States Championship. However, when looking at SmackDown’s format and how much focus its given, the US title isn’t really a midcard title at this point. It’s more or less the main title on SmackDown, having precedence over the WWE Championship. That makes sense, given how in the last year, KO and AJ have become legitimate main-event talents in WWE.

But really, they should be feuding over the WWE Championship, whereas talented up-and-comers such as Mojo Rawley, Tye Dillinger, and Baron Corbin and reliable veterans such as Dolph Ziggler, Rusev, and Sami Zayn should be the occupants of the US title scene. Instead, SmackDown has it backward. As a result, there isn’t really a midcard in terms of male singles talent.

Really, this was always sort of the case, as after the draft last year, it was clear SmackDown was heavy on main event, light on midcard, but the problem wasn’t apparent because The Miz absolutely stepped up to the plate and became the premier midcarder in WWE. However, now that he’s on RAW, it’s up to SmackDown to elevate midcard talents who make the show worth watching beyond the main events, but right now, they aren’t succeeding at that.