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

8. A Most Predictable Opener

Elias Shane McMahon Drew McIntyre
WWE.com

Last night's opening segment wasn't awful, just boring as hell. This means it can't be roasted over an open fire, but it can be skewered.

Miz TV welcomed Shane McMahon, Elias, and Drew McIntyre as guests. Greg Hamilton ran through his awesome introduction for 'The Best in the World,' before Elias strummed a quick tune, having made his way to SD as McMahon's "musical guest." Didn't Drew used to be in a band, too? New 3MB confirmed.

The rest of the segment was exactly what you'd expect. Shane put himself over for beating Roman Reigns, there were highlights from Super ShowDown, The Miz threw out a few wisecracks, and it all led to a predictable outcome. Tempers flared when 'The A-Lister' claimed that being aligned with McMahon was ruining his potential. From there, we got Shane booking himself, Elias, and Drew against Miz in a pseudo gauntlet, and off we went.

Maybe someday WWE's writers will flip the format, and we'll get an opener that isn't just a bunch of dudes talking at each other. Until then, though, we'll absorb this tedium.

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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.