WWE SmackDown Smacks/Downs: Bray Wyatt remains fascinating

Smack: reasonable builds to WrestleMania matches

There are many times when fans are disappointed in predictable booking (see: Reigns main eventing WrestleMania’s 31-34). However, there are also many times when predictable, straightforward booking is the right call.

For the most part, that’s what happened with last night’s show.

Most of us figured Gulak would defeat Nakamura so that we can have Zayn vs. Bryan for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. I don’t think most of us anticipated a four-minute match. However, we do have to keep in mind the unique circumstances we are in due to the pandemic, so considering this isn’t the payoff match, I’ll give it a smack.

Though I am not necessarily a fan of the faces pulling a heel move to win, the Bryan-Gulak pairing is just so wholesome and enjoyable.

Otis and Dolph Ziggler is another story we’ve been expecting to conclude at the big show (no pun intended). While predictable, this is a story that fans seem to want, especially to see that smarmy pretty-boy Ziggler lose to the lovable teddy bear that is Otis. Let’s hope that is indeed what happens.

It also helped that they had Mandy Rose present her hesitance to Ziggler about his tactics. It further germinates the seed that many fans have that Ziggler (and possibly Sonya Deville together) is somehow manipulating Rose away from Otis and towards himself.

The last one I want to highlight here is the build to the Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Last week, I discussed how this angle was much better than the random mishmash suddenly put together for the Women’s Championship match. While the finish of this match was questionable, again, it was perfectly reasonable.

WWE has been telegraphing a match between champion Kabuki Warriors and Bliss Cross Applesauce for a few weeks. Though conspicuous by her absence the past few weeks, Kairi Sane’s absence hasn’t hurt the build thanks to the wrestling goddess that is Asuka.

I love Asuka. Having her lose clean is something I would only do once every couple of years, depending on the situation. I figured there would be some kind of foul play, but then again, WWE is billing BCA as the faces in this feud. Now we have what should be a good Women’s Tag Team Championship match.

Predictable? Yes. Reasonable? Yes. That’s why these angles work.

Also, if their match turns into a dance-off with Asuka and Sane uttering obscenities in Japanese, I will be laughing with glee the whole time. I mean, how could you not like this?

Kabuki Warriors dancing is always a highlight, so adding in Bliss and the awkward Cross should increase the hilarity and entertainment factor.