9 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown

3. Beating Buddy Down

It makes sense that Daniel Bryan and Rowan would batter Buddy Murphy after the Aussie had upset the former WWE Champion in the ring. These guys are as bitter and twisted as bitter and twisted gets. Of course they'd be upset, and of course they'd want to retaliate.

But that doesn't mean they should retaliate. Not in this context, at least.

WWE gave Murphy the biggest win of his career against Bryan, then decided to curb any momentum gained by immediately having him beaten down backstage. It happened after Buddy's victory over Roman Reigns too. The writers can't let this guy fly without clipping his wings straight after, and it's a shame.

Compounding this complaint is the probability that Murphy won't even get revenge on Bryan. In another storyline, WWE might use something like this as an opportunity to present Buddy as a sympathetic babyface in a big rematch. Here, Daniel's probably still moving on to a match with Roman Reigns, meaning he took his victim's heat away for nothing.

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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.