8 Ups & 8 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 26)

Downs...

8. Gauntlets Are Good, BUT...

Vince McMahon The New Day
WWE.com

... but this writing team is starting to give the impression that they're running out of ideas.

This was SmackDown's third gauntlet match in the past month-and-a-half. Diminishing returns are kicking in, and while last night's bout as a net positive, WWE Create have to start coming up with some new ideas if they're to keep the blue brand fresh and exciting.

While this wasn't a show-ruiner by any stretch, Vince McMahon's announcement that The New Day would run another gauntlet drew an eye-roll from your writer. It's lazy stuff from a team we've come to expect better of. SmackDown does this every now and then, though, because for all its positive qualities, it's far from a perfect show and it does get formulaic on occasion.

Let's hope they don't wear this fun match type out completely over the coming months.

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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.