WWE: Kofi Kingston was one of the few bright spots this week

Both Raw and SmackDown were tough to sit through this week, but one of the few silver linings was Kofi Kingston and his performance as WWE Championship.

This week marked the creation of the Wild Card Rule, a convoluted response to low ratings on both main roster shows. The rule allows three—maybe four—Superstars to make an appearance on another brand on any given week. The results were uneven at best with Kofi Kingston acting as one of the few highlights.

Nonetheless, we got to see Kingston defend the WWE Championship on two nights in a row. Overall, this week’s episode of Raw was terrible, but Kofi vs. Daniel Bryan was the best main event we’ve seen on a Monday night in a while. It wasn’t as memorable as their match at WrestleMania, but they displayed the same great chemistry together.

Additionally, a triple threat match featuring Kingston, AJ Styles and Sami Zayn headlined SmackDown this week. In another strong title defense, Kofi overcame the odds to retain the championship. “The Boom Squad General” looked even better on Tuesday, pulling off an inventive double SOS and a precise Trouble in Paradise to knock Styles off the apron.

In the end, he exhibited his now renowned tenacity, narrowly surviving three straight Blue Thunder Bombs. The win felt reminiscent to his storybook run earlier this year to become the number one contender. Both wins this week cemented his status as a worthy and fighting champion.

Instead of relying on his WrestleMania moment, WWE has done a great job building Kofi into a confident and obstinate face. It would’ve been so easy for them to make him a reluctant champion after they played up how long it took him to reach the top of the company. Alternatively, Kingston has been brazened and determined in search of his next challenge.

In the weeks following his title win, he has challenged the reigning Universal Champion, Seth Rollins, and three former World Champions. After Kevin Owens attacked him, he didn’t ask him why. He said if you wanted a title shot you could’ve just asked.

Honestly, his evolution into a headstrong flagbearer for the company has been even more of sight to behold than his first world title win. It’s unquestionable proof that he was ready and capable enough to be champion a long time ago. Furthermore, the title feels like a bigger deal than it has in some time.

Moreover, it’s a refreshing change of pace considering the way WWE usually books their protagonists. Too often the company seems to go out of their way to make the faces look incompetent or gullible. So, it’s amazing to see how well they’ve handled Kingston’s title reign so far. Of course, they still have to stick the landing, but for now, it looks like the sky is the limit.

Kofi Kingston has offered the strongest contributions to the company since February. More to the point, he almost single-handedly salvaged five lackluster hours of television this week. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a strong and memorable tenure as WWE Champion.