WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways From Oct. 3 Show

Smackdown. Photo by WWE.com

4. Baron Corbin as United States Champion Could Work

Baron Corbin has been one of the most unusual stories the WWE has seen in recent years. The former NFL player won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32, but seemingly did nothing after that. But he has gained momentum in recent months and even won the Money in the Bank contract for a WWE Championship match, but that’s where the unusual kicks in.

Corbin became just the second superstar in history to cash in the Money in the Bank contract and lose cleanly. There have been rumors about his bad attitude behind the scenes and many have speculated he lost the Money in the Bank contract because he was being punished for his transgressions. Since losing to John Cena at SummerSlam, Corbin has been in the thick of the United States Championship hunt, and he is set to challenge “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles at Hell in a Cell for the championship.

Styles has made the U.S. Championship prominent again, and working with an up and coming heel in Corbin could lead to good things. Despite Corbin’s bad reputation, he could make a solid U.S. Champion. That title has been a good stepping stone for younger or new talent over the past few years and having Corbin beat a top guy like Styles would do wonders for his career. It would legitimize him as a true threat on SmackDown while also keeping him out of the WWE Championship picture, which he is nowhere close to being ready to reach.

Whether he wins at Hell in a Cell or not, Corbin as U.S. Champion at any time in the near future could be a success for both Corbin and SmackDown as a whole.