7 Ups & 8 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 7)

5. Outta Nowhere

Andrade Randy Orton
WWE.com

Andrade and Ali could have had an awesome show-stealing SmackDown match if given the chance last night, but Randy Orton ruining it isn't a problem. This is 'The Viper' in 2019. He's the cold, uncaring WWE lifer the company use to draw heat from workrate-minded fans, and having him sabotage a clash between two internet favourites fits his presentation to a tee.

The action preceding Orton's intervention was strong. Ali and Andrade worked well in their five minutes together, and kept things fast, fresh, and exciting with a classic back-and-forth layout highlighted by pop-worthy spot. The closing seconds saw Andrade hit the top rope, get crotched, and eat a Spanish Fly, before Randy came in, cutting the duo off before they could really move through the gearbox.

Both wrestlers were laid out with RKOs afterwards, with Andrade's coming as he flew threw the air. There's an argument to be made that Orton made them look like goobers here. Regardless, the man's a 13-time World Champion. He should be doing things like this from time to time.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.