9 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown 1000 (Oct 16)

2. The Cutting Edge

Edge Becky Lynch
WWE.com

The passing of Beth Phoenix's father put last night's Cutting Edge in jeopardy, but it went ahead, and SmackDown was a lot stronger for it.

The host played a perfect mediator. In a nice touch, WWE brought Tony Chimel in for his full "Rated R sOOOperstaaaaaarrrrr" introduction, before Edge ran through his history on the show. A quick transition from past to present saw Becky Lynch introduced as his first guest. Predictably, Becky killed it. Totally full of herself, the SmackDown Women's Champion let Edge's warnings about "leaving trails of burning bridges" bounce off of her, then told the retired star not to hurt his neck on the way out of the ring in a gloriously dickish line.

Charlotte Flair's arrival came next, and her entrance was soundtrack by jeers spliced with intermittent woooos. WWE's continued efforts to try and make her look like a babyface remain hilarious. 'The Queen' played up her heroic side, calling out her foe's cowardice, but it was she he threw the first punch in their brawl, because that's exactly what good guys do.

Finlay, Jamie Noble, Adam Pearce, and a gang of goobers eventually split them up, completing a well-played set piece that didn't add all that much to the existing rivalry, but was enjoyable nonetheless.

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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.