7 Ups & 1 Down From WWE SmackDown (Aug 19)

5. Roman Reigns = Manipulator

Roman Reigns Sami Zayn
WWE

The length of this promo skit was appreciated.

WWE's producers refused to rush things, and actually gave both Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn enough time to tell a story. Throughout, Reigns patronised his would-be Bloodline hopeful, and Zayn walked on egg shells so he wouldn't anger the 'Tribal Chief'. It was solid from beginning to end.

Seeing Reigns play all nicey-nice with Sami then scowl as soon as he'd left was also high quality character work. This was a throwback to the days when Roman was trying to manipulate The Usos and play Jey against Jimmy to suit his own agenda. The master manipulator is back, people.

Honestly, the best thing about all of this was how much room WWE gave it to breathe. They never did that before. If anything, everything was so over-produced and scripted that it ruined the entire point, but here? Yeah, WWE gave talent the floor and they made the most of it.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.