Unbalanced Edge stands out on uneven Smackdown
Edge again showed why he currently is the most entertaining performer in wrestling last night on Smackdown.
Picking up where he left off last week in terrorizing Vickie Guerrero, Edge’s portrayal of a psychopath was so compelling that it saved what could have been an unwatchable segment thanks to Guerrero. Her shrieking – as well as her fake crying, which failed to produce a single tear – was the most annoying thing I have seen in WWE since The Miz used “hoo-rah!” as his catch phrase. As I have stated before, I think Guerrero is awesome as a duplicitous, obnoxious heel, but the hysterical-version of Guerrero is awful.
Getting back to Edge, he wasn’t too over the top with his facial expressions like he was last week, and his “cuddling” with Guerrero on the floor outside the ring was terrifically creepy. He was so good at being bad that the crowd booed (unless the sound was altered in post production) when he dumped the unlikable Guerrero out of her wheelchair.
Despite Edge’s performance, however, I think the segment ultimately fell a little flat because there wasn’t even a hint of The Undertaker being there. It’s a no-brainer that The Undertaker’s return should be saved for SummerSlam tomorrow night, but I think the lights going out, or his music playing or a video being shown on the Titantron would have added something. Edge then could have reacted with a crazed smile to hammer home the point that he is so deranged that The Undertaker’s parlor tricks don’t intimidate him.
I thought the rest of the show – which included a couple squash matches – was hit and miss and not as good overall as it has been lately.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
There were some logic gaps in the Edge-Guerrero angle. For example, why didn’t she just get up out of her wheelchair when Edge was coming after her? I thought the whole point of having Guerrero use a wheelchair was to get heat from the crowd because everyone knows she doesn’t really need it. And as general manager, why didn’t she have security there to protect her if she was so nervous? She also could have ordered people on the roster to watch over her (someone tougher than Victoria). I also think it’s a little unbelievable how quickly she went from being a vindictive woman scorned to a whimpering victim. …
When Victoria first walked into Guerrero’s office, she asked a jumpy Guerrero how her summer has been going. Now that was funny. …
I am wondering where Alicia Fox (the wedding planner) fits into the story line going forward. …
Another very good match between Jeff Hardy and Shelton Benjamin got the show off to a strong start. MVP interfering in Hardy’s matches has become predictable, but it serves a purpose. It gets heat on MVP for ruining the match and helps build his showdown with Hardy at SummerSlam. Also, a seed might have been planted for a three-way match down the line involving Benjamin. …
I can’t wait until we get the Triple H-Great Khali program over with and Triple H moves on to some more interesting challengers. ...
I hate the “What?” chant – except when Khaki is cutting a promo. …
I forgot Kenny Dykstra was still with the company. He went from being a guy on the fast track to WWE’s endangered species list in record time. …
The Vladimir Kozlov-Festus match wasn’t bad at all. Kozlov is gradually defeating better and better competition. It’s just a matter of time before he is in programs with some of the top babyfaces. …
The R-Truth vignette was very well done. If he is booked half as well as these segments have been put together, he’s going to be a big success. On a side note, the R-Truth character – a guy who had a rough upbringing, ends up serving time and then turns his life around – is exactly was I envisioned for MVP if/when he does a babyface turn in the future. MVP’s real-life background – he served eight years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping – has been hinted at a couple times on television but never fully revealed. Perhaps the similarities between R-Truth and MVP could be the basis for a program between the two. …
Brian Kendrick’s promo was fine, but I think he is capable of better. As for Ezekiel, he said just three words but I wouldn’t have had him talk yet. His menacing glare spoke volumes, and his silence was part of his mystique. …
Scotty Goldman (aka Colt Cabana) got in some offense against Kendrick and even got to talk before the match. Fellow Smackdown newcomer Ryan Braddock wasn’t as fortunate in his match against The Big Show. Braddock looked great walking down the aisle but it all went downhill once he got in the ring.
Comments
Kevin, do you think Carlito is basically done with the WWE? I had forgot until recently, when I was reading online, that he was drafted to Smackdown!, yet he still hasn't re-debuted on there yet. Is it his lack of motivation, or are the script writers just not creative enough to do anything with his character?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think he's not motivated because the writers aren't giving him anything good, and the writers aren't giving him anything good because he's motivated.
Posted by: Paul | August 16, 2008 5:55 AM
Usually when Taker takes time off and they bring him back there always signs like druids coming out , a lightning bolt here and there , or lights going off and on with his music playing but not this time. Its amazing how Edge promoted this match w/o hearing his oppenent. What a great way to renew this rivalry.
Posted by: jason | August 16, 2008 6:31 AM
Like others, I've noticed more than a passing resemblance between Edge's newly repackaged character and Heath Ledger's Joker but I suspect that Edge is also drawing upon Mick Foley's original portrayal of a deranged Mankind for inspiration. That becomes a tad more obvious when Edge starts pulling his hair like Mankind did so many years ago. Both having feuds with the Taker too. It's like a full circle thing. Rather poetical.
Posted by: Din | August 16, 2008 7:54 AM
it would be great if they changed hardy vs. MVP to a match that involved shelton too, it would bring their feud to greater heights if hardy or MVP walked away with the title.
i didn't get to see the edge-guerrero segment because my (stupid) satelite went out after my neighbor hit it with a soccer ball ( i hate that kid)
Posted by: tito | August 16, 2008 10:37 AM
A pretty weak show if you ask me. I found myself turning to other things, I just couldn't focus of the show that much. It just felt too wishy washy and predictable.
And Vickie said that both The Undertaker and Edge were in the building, so why couldn't 'Taker even hint at being back with some lights out or lightning.
Posted by: Sam Fletcher | August 16, 2008 10:56 AM
Very pedantic but i think MVP did 9 years, he holds up nine fingers as part of his entrance.
I can't believe I actually bothered to just write that.
Posted by: Amos | August 16, 2008 11:40 AM
Next week, I want to see Scotty Goldman versus Ryan Braddock. All-too-often, you can divide the roster between those who always win and those who always lose. A Goldman-Braddock match would shake things up.
Posted by: Christopher | August 16, 2008 2:46 PM
My only comment concerns your “if/when MVP turns babyface". I think he could possibly be one of the biggest faces in the WWE. I believe the best way to make a star babyface is to first have him as one of the most hated heals first. The magic WWE stardom happens right at that pivotal moment of the turn (ala John Cena, Batista and many other past stars). Also, the WWE have worked MVP in program after program with top stars since day one and he has stood the test. No injuries and no pops on urn tests...sounds like a company guy in the making. That could only mean carrying the company in the future.
Posted by: Rob the barber | August 16, 2008 6:22 PM
I thought that smackdown was very subpar. The only highlight of the evening was the Guerrero/Edge storyline. Every time I watch Edge I am increasingly convinced that he is the best wrestler that the WWE has. He can play the heel like nobody else. They should get rid of Vickie as GM though. She is very annoying to watch and her lack of talent always shows.
Posted by: Ernie | August 20, 2008 12:34 PM