8 Ups & 6 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Aug 27)

1. A Familiar Script

Randy Orton Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

Remember last year's AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe programme, with Joe constantly attacking the then-WWE Champion's family, even going so far as to forge a handwritten letter from AJ's wife, Wendy, to get under the babyface's skin? WWE are now doing the exact same thing with Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton.

This is almost a direct retread little over 12 months after the initial programme. Last night's show began with Kofi cutting a solid, angry promo on Orton, claiming that he'd put him down last week because he "doesn't play around" when it comes to his family, leading to Randy interrupting via Titantron. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," he began, before reading a fake letter from one of Kingston's kids urging 'The Viper' to stop going after his dad. Then, Randy claimed to be staying in the same hotel as Kofi's brood. He was going to pay them a visit.

Kingston charged head-first into a backstage brawl. He ended up getting laid out by a DDT on the floor, and yeah... this whole thing is so heavy-handed and artificial.

This is WWE grabbing the back of our heads and screaming "LOOK HOW PERSONAL THIS IS! LOOK!" into our faces, as desperate to convince themselves as they are us. The programme has jumped the shark. A shame, as it was built on rock-solid foundations prior to SummerSlam, but extending it beyond that pay-per-view was a mistake.

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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.