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

1. Handicap Horror

Curtis Axel Roman Reigns
WWE.com

Roman Reigns vs. The B-Team was b*llocks. Absolute b*llocks.

While a McMahon stacking the odds against a babyface is classic WWE storytelling, the execution was off here. It took Reigns close to 12 minutes to put these goobers away. 12 minutes! It's Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas, for crying out loud. 'The Big Dog' should be flattening them in less than half that, Elias or no Elias.

The heels' grinding offence wore more on the viewer's patience than Reigns' body, with Axel and Dallas working a handful of rudimentary holds as they attempted to stifle Roman. The former WWE Champion eventually fought back, recovering from Elias posting him and Curtis hitting the Perfectplex to nail a Superman Punch and finally score the pinfall. The right destination, though the journey stunk.

Putting Roman Reigns through this boring rigamarole will benefit nobody in the end, especially 'The Big Dog.' Let's hope next week's offering isn't a p*ss-dull 20-minute paint-dryer with Elias.

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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.