3 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (21 Nov - Results & Review)

2. Nice To See Melo Getting Spotlight

Carmelo Hayes' match vs. Bronson Reed seemed like a mismatch going in, but Hayes surprisingly worked real well in the underdog babyface role. There’s something here, especially if Hayes can show the same kind of fire vs. Gunther deeper in the tournament. Look, he’s surely never winning that one, but Triple H has to realise it’s high time Melo was given some consistency on the main roster.

He won via countout when the WarGames teams started brawling then Cody Rhodes attacked Reed behind the ref’s back. It was a tidy finish despite the fact that Cody’s run in trampled all over the point of Drew attacking him earlier. That was nothing to do with Melo and Reed though. They had a job to do for a good 10 minutes or so before all of the run-ins, and they did it well.

Bronson's power based heat building sections work a treat. He understands when to keep the tempo up and when to slow down so he can make mean faces at fans in the front row. At ringside, Paul Heyman barks encouragement like he's turning the clock back to his NWA/WCW days and managing the Dangerous Alliance. It's a nice blend, and they complement one another well.

Denver was right there for Hayes too, and he needed that support. Any aspiring babyface is only as strong as the reactions they're getting, after all. Yep, this was a really decent outing for this pair. It's one they can be proud of. Now, it's time for Carmelo to lean into that spitfire baby role as he tangles with chop machine Gunther.

Say a prayer for his chest.