The Disturbing Truth Behind WWE SmackDown On Fox

Are you ready for a good time?

No?

Is that because Roman Reigns, King Corbin, dog costumes, noises and food have dominated the last segment and often first segments of every single episode after the brand warfare of the Survivor Series build? The programme has lasted forever in dog years, and it's built on prop comedy, obnoxious, purposefully grating, ceaseless heat, and hollow show-closing visuals that, if analysed, reveal that Roman Reigns has no friends. It's the quintessential modern Vince McMahon show, in that it is asinine, goofy (but improbably coherent) and between Corbin and Lacey Evans, is dominated by tall, telegenic performers limited in talent. The stories don't merely promote calculable ratings poison; they repeat the same beats ad nauseam.

The other major programme brewing centres around Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan. It isn't getting over; Bryan quite understandably looks disinterested, and isn't as hot as he was when he last adjusted his character. His heart doesn't seem in it. Bray, meanwhile, is Bray. Some believe the character is outstanding and creative, and is amid a character arc in which he darkens the mindset of those he comes into contact with; others believe the broad and goofy elements have ruined the early, promising presentation, and he can't be amid that character arc, unless he decided to "change" Braun Strowman into a dancer. He is divisive, but he isn't moving the needle.

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