7 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's SmackDown (Apr 10)
2. Carmella Cashes In
Say what you will about the in-ring implications of Carmella as SmackDown Women's Champion, or the fact that WWE effectively sacrificed Asuka's undefeated streak so that 'The Princess Of Staten Island' could take the strap. These concerns are valid, and we'll hear a lot of them over the coming weeks, but last night's cash-in was a complete success.
Carmella struck following The Iconic Duo's beatdown. Kay and Royce softened Charlotte up, and 'Mella finished the job, though referee Mike Chioda's bumbling indecision almost lost the moment. Flair stood up, but was helpless to avoid the Superkick, and three slaps of the mat later, her Women's Championship was gone.
The segment could've benefited from increased urgency, but it worked. Once regarded as the third wheel in Enzo Amore and Big Cass' act, she has now outlasted both, and deserves great credit for her growth as a performer. Sure, her reign won't bring in-ring classics, but who cares? She's well positioned to become a hated, Honky Tonk Man-esque champion who does everything in her power to avoid facing superior opponents, and given how adept she has become at drawing heat, this could be the making of her.