7 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 29)

3. An Acceptable Substitution

Samoa Joe Daniel Bryan Big Cass
WWE.com

While many would've preferred the billed Daniel Bryan vs. Samoa Joe singles match, the Triple Threat turned out fine.

General Manager Paige put it together earlier in the night, and Big Cass acquitted himself well, producing some strong work after his latest injury scare. He didn't look off-pace at all. Bryan, meanwhile, was his usual hard-working self, and Joe is still an effective mauler, as proven by his various control periods.

The problems were structural. WWE Triple Threats almost invariably devolve into one wrestler conveniently down and out while the other two wrestlers work a singles match, before diving back in, sending someone else for their rest period. It happened here too, with the bout's middle portion largely built around such spots.

If you're fine with this format, then you'll get more out of this bout than most. Regardless, the action was strong, and it produced a logical winner in Samoa Joe. Some will bemoan Bryan passing out in his Coquina Clutch, but the former NXT Champion has been on a roll lately, and deserves the spotlight after highlighting many an episode of SmackDown with his fantastic promo work.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.