7 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 19 - Results & Review)

2. Roman Reigns Eats An RKO

Randy Orton Roman Reigns RKO
WWE.com

This was the best finish possible for Friday's episode.

Roman Reigns thought he had Randy down, so he smirked and signed the Rumble contract before being a smart-arsed sort who dropped the document rather than handing it back to Nick Aldis. That subtle moment of heelishness then got a receipt when Orton countered Roman's spear into an RKO.

Yeah, it'd likely be better for some if the Rumble's title match was one-on-one instead of this fatal-4-way, but WWE is finding a way to make things work. They've pushed Randy as a razor-sharp veteran with his eyes on the prize, and if it leads to AJ Styles vs. LA Knight at 'Mania then everyone's a winner in the end.

The main goal for this closing segment was to put over how much danger Reigns' title run is in. That's a hard sell, 'cause few actually believe he'll drop the belt at the Rumble, but creative had to try something. Credit to everyone involved for making this as dynamic as it was.

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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.