8 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (July 16)

Ups...

8. Crowds Are Back!

Rey Dominik Mysterio
WWE.com

Thankfully, when WWE weren't overlooking the women's tag division or some other worthwhile talents, there was so much to enjoy on this week's SmackDown. One of the biggest plus points is that everybody in attendance just seemed to be having the best time.

That included the roster.

Guys like Dominik Mysterio got to work his first match in front of a proper live crowd (he debuted during the ThunderDome era), and his excitement carried over to the Toyota Center masses. There was an organic feel to every cheer and boo, which isn't something one could say about WWE pre-pandemic.

Will this goodwill last forever? Will it b*llocks, and that's why it's so important to enjoy this while it lasts. WWE television is so much better with people at ringside. Though the company did a nice job with the ThunderDome, it paled in comparison to this gathering of happy faces.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.