7 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 1)

1. What Decade Is This?

Big Cass Midget
WWE.com

Big sweaty men, playing his audience like marionettes, Roman Reigns, "little people" comedy: these are a few of Vince McMahon's favourite things.

Unfortunately, the last entry on that list made an unwelcome return to SmackDown last night. Big Cass brought out a mini Daniel Bryan halfway through the show, and while the seven-footer's promo work was every bit as solid as the previous week, the source material was dreadful.

Injuries suffered at the Greatest Royal Rumble (when Roderick Strong's chops cost him several layers of skin) prevented Bryan from appearing last night. Cass' answer to this was said little person, who was used as a vehicle for a bunch of short jokes that probably had Vince creasing backstage, but came off childish on the show. Then, of course, Cass beat the tar out of mini-Bryan, forcing a band of referees to make the save.

WWE's use of little wrestlers rarely comes off well, particularly in 2018. Segments like this should've been left in the '90s. It did work for the live crowd, but Montreal would've lapped up anything last night. A lesser crowd wouldn't have been so accommodating of this bulls***.

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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.