7 Ups & 6 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 22)

Downs...

6. This Added Nothing...

Listless filler was a problem on last night's SmackDown, and this backstage segment starring R-Truth, Carmella, and Charlotte Flair was one of the biggest culprits.

It began with typical Fabulous Truth banter, as the former K-Kwik claimed he planned on going after "Bobby Murphy" and the Cruiserweight Championship after winning the Royal Rumble, then got upset because he thought 'Mella was calling him fat. Flair showed up next. They spent a few seconds talking about the Rumble, with Carmella proclaiming "I'm the gatekeeper in Gucci, and nobody is getting through me," before Charlotte called herself a tornado, then off they trotted.

All this segment accomplished was reminding us that the Royal Rumble is, indeed, a thing that exists. Carmella and Flair's established dynamic wasn't pushed forward in any meaningful way. Truth was fun (he always is), but does a couple of goofy lines justify the pointlessness surrounding them?

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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.