7 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (June 18)

5. The Nigerian Nail

Commander Azeez Apollo Crews Kevin Owens Nigerian Nail
WWE.com

It'll take some time before Commander Azeez is ready to stand on his own two feet and work singles matches. In the interim, it's important that WWE focus on establishing certain aspects of his character. At the same time, they must hammer home his importance to Apollo Crews' cause.

Happy days then, because they are.

Creative handed Azeez the video package treatment before he teamed with Crews against Big E and Kevin Owens. Better yet, they followed that spotlight moment up by giving him the win with that 'Nigerian Nail' finisher. Post-match, the Commander hit KO with the move a second time.

This was the right call. Azeez is to Apollo what Omos is to AJ Styles over on Raw. The SmackDown man arguably looks greener than AJ's giant, but that's fine so long as WWE take things slow and don't rush into a babyface turn for the sake 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.