8 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (16 Jan - Results & Review)

Downs...

2. Damian Priest Advances, But…

Personally, this fan wasn’t feeling Priest's number one contenders Fatal-4-Way qualifier against Solo Sikoa. It wasn’t terrible by any means, but it did feel like everyone was sitting around waiting for some inevitable interference from The Wyatt Sicks. Uncle Howdy wants his lantern back, so he effectively cost Solo but didn’t get his prized possession in the end.

Again, not terrible but definitely a step down from the other qualifiers. Yes, even the super short Randy Orton vs. The Miz match that opened the night. Is that particularly damning? Nah, not really. Not every single 'Down' is some epic disaster that blurts out 'CHANGE THIS' through tears and calls for Triple H to rip everything up or start again. However, it is true that Priest seems kinda boring at the moment.

The dude needs something else. Being totally upfront and honest, this guy isn't sure exactly what "something else" is, but he does. He might've run his course as a babyface, so a heel turn could be on the cards once WrestleMania season is over. Ultimately, that feud with Aleister Black (who remains absent) has done nothing for the ex-Judgment Day bruiser. It's like: 'So what's next?!' coming out of that scenario.

Last week, the MFTs vs. Wyatt Sicks feud scored an 'Up'. It doesn't this time out. This is the way of it for Solo and gang vs. Howdy and his creepy pals - they're up and down more than your average rollercoaster, and WWE is struggling to hold on through some twists and turns. The whole thing just ain't that compelling.