9 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Nov 27)

2. A Stodgy Battle Royal

Asuka Mandy Rose
WWE.com

Though there's more than the action to unpack with last night's TLC qualifying battle royal, the action itself was bland and unsatisfying before a slight pick-up towards the end.

It was as by-the-numbers as such matches get. A textbook layout saw a wide brawl break out at the bell, Zelina Vega's early exit, and a commercial break leading into more listless brawling. The jobber cull continued with The IIconics and Lana, before the numbers were eventually whittled down to Mandy Rose, Asuka, Sonya Deville, and Naomi.

There was little in the way of in-match storytelling, even with the Sonya/Mandy split dynamic. Rose's great-looking knee to the post before her elimination was excellent, though, and the final Deville/Asuka showdown was well put together, though it was impossible to buy that the former Absolution member had a chance of winning.

Again, this wasn't terrible; just dull. A little more effort from whoever laid the battle royal out would've gone a long way.

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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.