7 Ups & 7 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 14)

5. Good, Simple Storytelling

Mandy Rose Kairi Sane
WWE.com

Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville vs. the Kabuki Warriors was a nice little TV match. Neat, tidy, and with a favourable layout, it paid off recent developments as Paige's new charges went to war with her old allies, and though the former Absolution pairing ate defeat, the outcome furthers their ongoing storyline.

An Asuka Lock looked to have Rose defeated until Sonya saved her. Deville was then cut off herself, though she was able to blast 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' with a big Spinebuster. In came Mandy, and down she went, with Asuka rolling her shoulders to the mat for the 1, 2, 3.

In snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Rose has given Sonya a reason to be p*ssed, particularly after sacrificing so much for her best friend in recent weeks (including her Money In The Bank spot). From the Kabuki Warriors' point of view, Rose and Deville were a roadblock that needed to be overcome on their road to the Women's Tag Team Titles, and The IIconics' ringside presences suggested that bout might not be far off.

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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.