7 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Aug 14)

1. "Recent Social Climate"

Careful, WWE.

Michael Cole told viewers watching SmackDown that Retribution were "hiding behind current events". He also said that the "recent social climate" had affected them and brought on this rebellion. This is terrain WWE don't want to walk on - the "social climate" is sensitive, and people want escapism from pro wrestling.

It's tactically awkward to imply that serious real-life issues are the reason for these violent, thuggish attacks by a group of hooded, disgruntled workers. The Retribution story doesn't need any outside influence to make it work, and it'll only lead to criticism and bad PR if WWE don't handle that side of things with care anyway.

Another problem is that the faction members still look like a collection of unruly kids rather than wrestlers unhappy with the WWE system. Seeing everyone come together (regardless of alignment) to deal with them is playing out like a Survivor Series rerun too.