WWE SmackDown Smacks/Downs: Braun Strowman receives a chilling threat

Smack: the continued push of Otis

There are generally two schools of thought in the mystery partner reveal. One is to have the reveal when their music hits; the other is to show them earlier in the show.

It seems WWE tried to do both last night by showing Bryan and Gulak speaking with Otis earlier in the night, and then having the three heels look dumbstruck when the music for Heavy Machinery hit (seriously, go find a picture of Nakamura’s face).

The shocked heels didn’t really work since viewers already knew it would be Otis, but regardless, this continues what has been a gradual push to the upper tier of the card for the Big Doze.

After successfully defeating Dolph Ziggler at WrestleMania and being partnered with Mandy Rose (seemingly just kicking Tucker to the curb), Otis has performed well in and out of the ring. He defeated Ziggler again in a qualifying match for Money in the Bank while providing endearing humor on the mic.

It’s hard to deny that Otis has charisma. I’m just not sure how to describe his charisma beyond unique. Magnetic? Alluring? Captivating? A uniquely alluring and captivating magnetism?

Regardless, Otis teamed alongside top babyface Bryan and emerging face Gulak against the top three non-Wyatt heels in Corbin, Nakamura, and Cesaro. I know what you’re thinking: the roster on SmackDown isn’t very deep.

Still, what a rub for Otis.

He was able to have some shine, including hitting his signature Caterpillar elbow (with accompanying hip thrusts, of course). He also didn’t take the pin.

In the post-match scuffle, WWE also foreshadowed what could be a major impediment for Otis when he destroyed the bottom two rungs of a ladder trying to climb. Granted, he not-so-subtly stomped the bottom one-off, but that story at least has a prologue.

I’m guessing he pulls out a massive reinforced ladder that I believe happened with The Big Show. He probably won’t win, but if he does, I believe the fans will enthusiastically support and cheer Otis, who would presumably be an honorable briefcase holder. We can have a nice, slow build where Otis maintains control of the briefcase while defeating stiffer and stiffer competition in singles matches to build up his credibility.

Maybe he could cash-in ahead of time to schedule a WWE/Universal Championship match at WrestleMania, and with how fans receive him now, I believe this could be a viable path forward for Otis.