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

3. 25%

Shane McMahon
WWE.com

Regular readers know that this column has been kinda to Shane McMahon's heel character. For the most part, the former SmackDown Commissioner's performances in this role have worked. He's there to wind people up, and wind people up he does, with his bullsh*t working far better as a bad guy than a forced babyface, and the venomous backlash that hits the internet whenever he lifts a finger every bit as entertaining as SD's best content.

But this week was too much.

SmackDown's entire first quarter was dedicated to Shane-related shenanigans. First came the opening segment, then the Elias vs. Miz match, then the follow-up with Drew McIntyre, before McMahon finally pinned 'The A-Lister' himself. It was grating, and not as a result of effective heel work: this was more of an "I don't want this guy on my screen anymore" vibe.

Giving so much of the show to an authority figure undermines the wrestlers, particularly those who can't make it to TV at the moment, and with the Wild Card Rule having such a hugely detrimental impact on SmackDown, they can't keep doing this.

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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.