8 Ups & 1 Down From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (July 17)

by Andy H Murray

1. Almas Shines In Defeat

Andrade Almas AJ Styles
WWE.com

Finally.

FINALLY.

Andrade 'Cien' Almas is a fixture on WWE television and rubbing shoulders with the best wrestler in the company. It's a shame it took so long to reach this point, but last night's bout with AJ Styles was excellent, and exactly the kind of thing that the former NXT Champion should've been doing from the moment he arrived.

The bout had an exploratory feel. Things unfolded slowly, with the performers only delivering a tease of what they could do in a bigger situation, which was exactly the right approach to take. You don't want to give everything away in the very first match, so AJ and Andrade left plenty in the tank, and when they do eventually face again, they'll have acres of fresh ground to cover.

Regardless, they delivered one of SmackDown's better singles bouts since WrestleMania, with both working in a number of key spots prior to Styles' submission victory. Tapping out to the best wrestler on the brand is no great shame for Almas, either. The rub he received from facing the WWE Champion greatly outweighs any damage done, and at long last, 'Cien' should be able to look forward to feuding with somebody that isn't Sin Cara.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.