Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brian Mazique has covered combat sports and video games since 2011. The latest episode of Smackdown from Greenville, South Carolina was better between the bread than it was on the book ends.

After nearly a decade away, Punk walked back into a company that looks far different from the one he left. In the time since his departure, Vince McMahon exited the company, WWE was acquired by Endeavor, and a wave of leadership changes reshaped the promotion from the top down.