7 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Oct 23)

6. Solid But Unspectacular

Randy Orton Jeff Hardy
WWE.com

An underwhelming main event saw Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton go to battle weeks after concluding their bitter, bloody, and brutal feud in a Hell In A Cell clash as compelling as it was gross, and while it was far from bad, it felt like the least interesting version of what the duo can do together.

'The Viper' didn't look keen to overexert himself at all, coasting through the match in second gear. He drifted between spots like he was working a house show. As always, him twisting Jeff's ear made for a cool visual, and he bludgeoned his sympathetic opponent on the announce table, but we've seen these things many times before.

Hardy missed a Swanton from the apron to the floor, taking a nasty back bump in the process, because of course he did. This allowed Randy to scoop the victory by putting his man back inside, working through a foiled RKO attempt, then finally nailing his finisher for the 1, 2, 3, and the all important W. A solid, functional, neat and tidy bout between two old pros, it was worth the time dedicated to it, but only just.

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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.