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

3. Cold Introductions

EC3 SmackDown
WWE

In his weekly Raw review, WhatCulture's Scott Carlson rightly pointed out the problems with the way WWE have introduced the latest batch of NXT call-ups to the main roster. His criticisms bear repeating. EC3, Nikki Cross, Heavy Machinery, and Lacey Evans are coming in colder than a polar bear's bell-end, and it's nullifying their chances of making an early impact.

Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight accosted Becky Lynch at the top of the show. EC3 was posing in a mirror as Samoa Joe walked by. Lacey Evans, too, was chilling backstage, mastering the age-old WWE art of watching TV from an impossible angle. Nikki Cross, the worst of the lot (mark 'Andy Murray Criticises Sanity Member' off on your WhatCulture Ups & Downs bingo cards), was clawing at a chain-link fence, urging Rey Mysterio to "let Nikki play."

Having these performers drift between Raw and SmackDown isn't an inherently bad idea. It could work if done right, but their current presentation gives the impression that WWE just don't know what to do with them.

It's way too early to write any of these talented individuals off, and we'll be patient with their growth, but they aren't making any kind of impact.

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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.