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

2. Escalation

Daniel Bryan The Miz
WWE.com

These Miz/Daniel Bryan angles follow a similar pattern every week. 'The A-Lister' gets all blustery, mocking the former General Manager for his perceived failings, before Bryan comes out for a fight. Somehow, Miz ends up outsmarting his foe, but not without his overdue comeuppance inching closer and closer, leading to his avoidance tactics escalating the following week

This is exactly how it unfolded last night, with Miz once again delivering a promo away from the arena. Like last week, he assumed himself safe, but Bryan was smarter. He jumped his rival on the set of Miz & Mrs, beating the tar out of him until the goon squad got involved, with Daniel eventually succumbing to the numbers, and Miz cracking a vase over his skull.

It was well written, well executed, and delivered exactly what the fans wanted: their SummerSlam match (Miz accepted Bryan's challenge earlier in the segment). Provided the road agents keep their grubby paws away from it, this already looks a surefire highlight.

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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.