WWE Friday Night Smackdown Has a King Corbin Problem

I've delayed writing this for about a month now. However, the 2/21/20 Friday Night Smackdown encapsulates my point.

King Corbin was on Smackdown for only a backstage promo. That's it. A mere two-minute, TOPS, backstage promo. He didn't come to the ring. King Corbin didn't wrestle a match. None of that. If you hadn't been watching Friday Night Smackdown on Fox since its debut, you wouldn't know King Corbin was the Number 2 heel (bad guy).

The promo was dull, lackluster, and didn't do anything to make one watch the climax of a six month feud inside a steel cage taking place in Saudi Arabia. Rest of Friday Night Smackdown on the other hand was easily among the better Smackdowns since its inception on Fox.

You could argue then King Corbin isn't the number two heel on the blue brand. I'd agree with you; but WWE's booking argues otherwise. There simply isn't a heel on the roster who take his place. Maybe Sheamus Post-Wrestlemania. However, the Celtic Warrior is feuding with... short people. Miz and Morrison are competing in the tag division. As is Roode and Ziggler.

Nakamura-Zayne-Cesaro are a great heel trio. They get heat. They are great heels. They lose far more than they win. I really don't see WWE improving their win record anytime soon.

Like or not, King Corbin is the number 2 heel. A number two heel whom as announcer Michael Cole has state has had a bad six months. Why? Cause for the past six months, he has been feuding with Roman Reigns and has been outclassed the entire time.

Sure, Corbin has come out a couple times. He's won a match or two (with help). Corbin has dumped and smeared dog food all over Reigns (with help). However, Reigns would get his comeuppance the following week. Reigns pinned Corbin during a Street Fight at the Royal Rumble despite Corbin getting help. The entire storyline has been Corbin is not the equal of Roman Reigns.

Not only is the Steel Cage Match in Super Showdown in Saudi Arabia next Thursday the end to a six month feud, it's a mercy killing for fans. Reigns-Corbin feud will cease. King Corbin will feud with someone else.

Problem is The Fiend Bray Wyatt won't remain Universal Champion forever. Someone will wrestle the new face champion. The only logical choice is King Corbin who really hasn't been convincing as credible heel threat. What if the face is Roman Reigns? Renew the six month feud? Hard pass.

Don't get me wrong. King Corbin isn't a bad heel. He does a great job getting fans to boo him and despise him. Corbin won't become a face because the fans decides he should be. However, he's not a credible number one heel. He can barely win WITH help. Honestly, the best choice is push him back to the mid-card.

Maybe Zayn can become his manager and four wrestlers can actually overpower Elias and Braun Strowman? Maybe Drew Gulak can mentor him with his Power Point slides to enable him to defeat Daniel Bryan? No potential feud feels compelling as they seem to be a waste for the wrestler paired with him.

By favoring Roman Reigns at the expense of King Corbin, creative has unwittingly buried King Corbin. A shame, really.

Next time.