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

4. A Dynamic US Title Scene

Randy Orton The Miz Jeff Hardy
WWE.com

This week's edition of 'The Most Must-See Talk Show In WWE History' didn't quite live up to this billing. Miz TV was good, but not great, with the focus on functionality over memorability.

To that end, it was a success. A tag match pitting The Miz and Shelton Benjamin against Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy was set up as a result of their interactions. These four will presumably form the backbone of SmackDown's United States Title division going forward, with 'The A-Lister's' impending feud with Daniel Bryan put on the backburner, which is absolutely fine. That storyline is going to rule regardless of when it happens, so why jump the gun?

Jeff Hardy was Miz's first guest, and refused to rise to the host's goading. Then came Randy Orton, who hosed on Bryan's old SmackDown Top 10 list, before challenging Jeff to a US Title match at Backlash. Shelton Benjamin wrapped things up, a brawl inevitably broke out, and thus, the tag match was born.

While it was easy to see where the segment was heading as soon as it became a revolving door, it still entertained. Miz is fantastic in his role. He is already one of SmackDown's MVP's, and although this wasn't his best work, there are much, much worse ways to start the show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.