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

3. Promote Your Matches

Here's a novel idea: perhaps Vince McMahon, the world's most successful wrestling promoter, should try promoting again.

Announcing matches like AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn vs. Kofi Kingston on the night is fine for a quick crowd pop, but it won't save ratings. It might help the second-hour drop-off, but people who aren't already watching won't hear about the match, meaning it can't be used as a promotional tool.

The same goes for Kofi Kingston vs. Seth Rollins on the Raw after WrestleMania, and this week's main event between Kingston and Daniel Bryan. These were hot-shotted, on-the-night decisions born of desperation, with no planning or foresight. They weren't promoted, but manifested out of nowhere, making it seem like Vince, in his hunger for more, has lost sight of what professional wrestling actually is.

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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.