7 Ups & 9 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jun 11)

by Andy H Murray

1. The New Day Triumph

Kofi Kingston Dolph Zuiggler
WWE.com

That last night's SmackDown main event finished as the show's top Up says much about the broadcast itself. This was a nice little six-man tag, but nothing more than that, yet it was still the best thing found within the blue brand's two hours.

The layout was fine. Xavier Woods absorbed a long heat segment, leading to Big E's hot tags. He ran wild, tossing opponents around with suplexes and splashes, before cutting Dolph Ziggler off and tagging Kofi Kingston in. It looked like Sami Zayn was close to turning the tide when Dolph accidentally Superkicked him, and this allowed the WWE Champion to nail Trouble in Paradise for the W.

A couple of problems:-

1. The bout was performed at half-speed, with the performers struggling to generate the excitement and adrenaline required to take it to the next level.

2. It's impossible to receive Zayn, Ziggler, and Kevin Owens as serious threats right now. They get beaten every week, so how do you invest in them?

These noticeable problems drag it down as a whole, but the match was mostly good. If only SmackDown's biggest highlights were more pronounced, though...

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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.