9 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 15)

2. RIP Mustafa Ali

Samoa Joe Mustafa Ali
WWE.com

This was great. Absolutely great.

Samoa Joe assaulted Mustafa Ali during his ring entrance, battering the former 205 Live star while he was still wearing his flashy little mask. Knocking him from the turnbuckles and booting him to the floor, Joe unleashed a torrent of pain. Ali went into the ring post, got bludgeoned with concussive punches and headbutts, ate the post again, then went into the barricade. His foe slain, Joe then swaggered away from ringside sneering with pride, coming off like the biggest bastard in the universe.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect execution. Ali's ragdoll bumping was tremendous, particularly when he hit the post, while Joe always comes off like a ruthless, cold-blooded killer. This was preferable to their planned match, too, as the beatdown amplifies their heat, gives them something to work with, and ensures the inevitable singles clash will be even better.

SmackDown's writers have become extremely adept at telling these smaller week-to-week stories that don't necessarily need to be blown off on pay-per-view. Ali vs. Joe is one such example, and a Mustafa victory should springboard him even further up the rankings.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.