7 Ups & 1 Down From WWE SmackDown (14 Feb - Results & Review)

2. Sami Zayn’s Intense Pre-Tape

Everything Kevin Owens touches has been turning to gold since he went rogue. Anyone worried that chapter 8,262 of him turning on Sami Zayn would be boring should rest easy - it's going to be anything but. Sami's update showed why. WWE aired footage of his social media promo on SmackDown. Throughout, Zayn came across as a confused, realistic human being who's seeking answers.

He said that something feels different about this latest example of either one stabbing his mate in the back. This time, it wasn't about "getting ahead", but instead seems to revolve around Kev thinking Sami should've helped him cheat to beat Cody Rhodes at Royal Rumble. That's something Zayn thinks is pretty pathetic, especially after everything they've been through as friends and enemies.

In a neat touch, this candid to camera piece dispensed with the usual shouty/ranty wrestling promo style and went for something more subdued. Sami put over that he's hurting both physically and mentally after the package piledriver Owens gave him on Raw. This is about to get good. It could even get great if WWE plays their cards right.

The company followed up with KO sending out the challenge for Elimination Chamber in Toronto from his car. That’d certainly make sense, and it leaves Kevin open for Randy Orton at ‘Mania. Logically, KO smashing Zayn in Canada like a callous, cold son of a bitch, then going to injure him before Orton's music hits for a massive pop is the right way to go.

Aah, storytelling and character consistency. It's unmatched.