9 Ups & 7 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Apr 30)

2. A Tedious Opener

Kofi Kingston Michael Cole
WWE.com

This week's opening segment failed to hit the mark for a couple of reasons:-

1. The length. Sweet mother of Gangrel, this thing was way too long. Rather than cutting straight to his current situation, Kofi Kingston's interview with Michael Cole saw him waste way too much time covering material we've already spent an untold amount of airtime going over in recent weeks. He spoke about his journey, the highs and lows, his WrestleMania moment, and yadda, yadda, yadda. WWE gave dull, unengaging material to a performer who embodies the opposite, and it took ages for him to get to the point.

2. Tonally, the segment was all over the place. Kofi started out all happy-smiley, throwing pancakes to the crowd as he skipped down to the ring. Then, he got nostalgic. That would be fine if he hadn't been betrayed by Kevin Owens last week, with his partner, Xavier Woods, eating a Powerbomb to the ring apron. Shouldn't Kofi be angrier? Shouldn't he be fired up?

Owens eventually emerged to talk smack with Kingston, before Xavier Woods jumped the would-be WWE Title contender, eating a Superkick for his troubles. A brief flash of excitement to close a torturously dull segment.

Speaking of which...

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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.