A night of upsets on Smackdown
What are the odds that The Undertaker and John Cena would both suffer pinfall losses on the same television show?
It happened last night on a Smackdown episode that featured four matches, with the perceived underdog winning each one.
The matches delivered more than just surprises, too. Two of the contests were really good – The Big Show’s win over Cena, and Primo and Carlito’s victory over John Morrison and The Miz – and while Vladimir Kozlov’s stunning upset of The Undertaker wasn’t great, it was better than I expected.
The other match, which saw Chavo Guerrero defeat U.S. champion Shelton Benjamin in a non-title match, was too short (less than three minutes) to even be judged, but anytime Guerrero wins a match nowadays, it’s news.
For two guys who are often criticized for their in-ring ability, Cena and Big Show had one heck of a main event match. As I have said several times, if you hate Cena’s character or don’t like how much he is pushed, that’s fair, but to say that the guy can’t work is just plain wrong at this point. Remember, The Great Khali’s best matches in WWE were with Cena.
Big Show has come a long way since the days when he was so out of shape and unmotivated that he was sent down to Ohio Valley Wrestling. For someone his size and age (37), he moves around the ring very well and his conditioning has significantly improved.
The Undertaker is another guy whose in-ring performances seem to be getting better with age, which is even more impressive considering that he reportedly is working through a bunch of nagging injuries. Kozlov has been regressing as of late, but his work was serviceable in this match.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
Cena is just freaky strong. Sure, wrestling is a work, but to pick up a guy who weighs well over 400 pounds for the Attitude Adjustment (formerly the FU) like he did with Big Show is quite a feat. It’s not the first time Cena has done it with Big Show, and he also has delivered the move to The Great Khali. …
What makes Kozlov’s win over The Undertaker even more surprising is the fact that it was clean and came out of nowhere, with no outside interference or cheating. Suddenly, Kozlov’s match against Shawn Michaels on Raw Monday – with the winner facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 – is a lot more interesting. I suppose it’s possible that WWE is considering a triple threat match for Mania. …
As I expected, the advertised Jeff Hardy versus Matt Hardy match did not take place, as Jeff refused to fight his brother. I don’t feel like this was a bait-and-switch because common sense dictated that this match wasn’t happening until WrestleMania. The Hardys’ verbal confrontation was good, but they didn’t knock it out of the park. Matt was called on to carry the segment, and while what he said was fine and his facial expressions were decent, there’s just something about his delivery that is lacking.
There hasn’t been any mention of Jeff’s stalker in recent weeks, so I wonder if Matt admitting that he was the one behind the incidents will be what changes Jeff’s mind about doing the match. …
There is good chemistry between Carlito and Primo and Morrison and Miz. While both teams are tag champs, Morrison and Miz are more over, and that’s why I didn’t expect Carlito and Primo to prevail. …
It appears that one of the Bella twins prefers the company of Primo and Carlito, while the other prefers Morrison and Miz. Perhaps this will lead to a twin versus twin match somewhere down the line. Hey, we’ve had just about every other kind of family feud in WWE, so why not? …
MVP sitting at ringside doing commentary during the Benjamn-Guerrero match should have made it obvious that Benjamin would lose because he was distracted. But Guerrero has been booked like such a loser recently that I figured it would somehow backfire. …
MVP is getting over to some degree as a babyface, but I am hoping that he receives a bigger push after WrestleMania. I think a series of sit-down interviews with Jim Ross that mix his character’s story line with his real-life past would help immensely in getting him to the next level. …
Highlights of WrestleMania IV and V were shown in the WrestleMania retrospective. Randy Savage, whose name has been popping up on WWE television shows recently (probably because WWE is releasing a three-disc Savage DVD in June), was the featured performer on both shows. The breakup of The Mega-Powers to set up Savage versus Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania V is one of my all-time favorite story lines. …
I’m surprised that Cena took a little jab at MyNetworkTV during his promo. Maybe Palmer Cannon or Cyrus will show up as a heel representative of the network. …
Gail Kim is being described in her videos as “strong but sexy.” Sounds right to me. She definitely has the best combination of looks and in-ring ability among current female wrestlers. …
There was one glaring flaw on an otherwise entertaining episode: No screen time for Maryse.
Comments
kevin, have you really posted this at 4:00 in the morning?? you should give yourself a break...
RESPONSE FROM KE: I'm with ya. Like I said, life is crazy right now for me. Sleep is a luxury.
Posted by: Ray | February 28, 2009 6:12 AM
I extreeeeeeemely blown away by the Koslov win! Don't sacrifice Taker's career for some who won't be around or probably be a mid-carder by next year. It also takes away from the strength of his Mania streak.
Chavo upset????? You’ve got to be kidding me.
This episode was a disgrace. I would have preferred the obvious wins, just to save face on some of the wrestler’s standings.
Posted by: rob the barber | February 28, 2009 7:02 AM
Yeh Cena has Fu'ed big show a couple of times. Mainly in their feud in 2004 for the United States Championship. I remember Brock Lensae F-5ing Mark Henry like he was a Rag doll,when I watched it on youtube again Im still amazing how easily he lifted Mark Henry. Favourite moment of strength displayed by a wrestler was Brock Lensar (again!) superlexed Big show off the top rope and the ring collapsed.
Brock Needs to come back to WWE!!
Posted by: Zane | February 28, 2009 9:02 AM
Regarding Undertaker, Kozlov and Shawn - You're writing just what I was thinking while watching Smackdown: " I suppose it’s possible that WWE is considering a triple threat match for Mania. …" Please No ... and forgive us for even considering that as an option.
Posted by: Bradley | February 28, 2009 9:18 AM
I missed Maryse too! She is so great...
Posted by: Andy | February 28, 2009 11:50 AM
OK, what is up with JBL? I was watching JBL during the Fox Business All-Stars segment on Cavuto's show on Friday night, Cavuto said something to JBL about having regrets about retiring from wrestling in these economic times. JBL didn't really say anything to dispute that. That might mean his final match will be at WrestleMania. Maybe he helps HBK on Monday. I'll miss JBL if he leaves.
Posted by: Cavuto goon | February 28, 2009 12:00 PM
Cena FU'd Viscera, too. If I remember correctly (and I've tried to block him from my memory), he's a pretty big dude. Wow.
BTW, where is Mr. Kennedy? He's not hurt again, is he?
Posted by: Micah | February 28, 2009 1:00 PM
I think someone needs to tell Undertaker that Kozlov can't take Snake Eyes. Kozlov was terrible during this match. He needed to win to add some anticipation for his match with Michaels on Monday, but he didn't get over as a monster threat on Smackdown. There is no doubt Michaels is going to win on Monday. I can't even tell at this point if Kozlov is gonna be at 'Mania.
Posted by: Cliff | February 28, 2009 1:18 PM
I think the Kozlov win last night sets up a Michaels-Undertaker match very well. I think Michaels will end Kozlov's streak on Monday night and then go into Wrestlemania with a clean win over a guy that the Undertaker can't beat and as the guy who ended a major winning streak.
I think WWE realizes that we all know the outcome of the Undertaker's Wrestlemania match as soon as his opponent is announced, so it's doing a great job this year of adding some suspense to the setup.
Posted by: Mike | February 28, 2009 1:23 PM
I loved the finish of the Colons-Miz and Morrison match. Just when it seemd that Miz' cheating would result in the win, Carlito slipped out ot The Moonlight Drive and delivered The Backstabber!
It was refreshing that Chavo beat the distracted Benjamin with a pinning combination which was more technical than a run-of-the-mill rollup.
I am an Undertaker fan, but I approve of Kozlov's clean victory. Heels shouldn't be totally dependent on chicanery. A top heel should seem like he has decent chance of beating a top babyface within the rules.
Posted by: Christopher | February 28, 2009 1:49 PM
I'm really disappointed with the acting so far in the Hardy vs. Hardy feud/angle. If you can't invoke more passion and intensity than what's been displayed so far, it really says alot about the lack of psychology/acting ability for both Hardys. It's hard to pick who is worse, to be honest. HHH overacted when he ran to Stephanie's aid in the ring the other week, but Matt and Jeff have underacted so far. They might as well be reading off of cue cards.
I keep waiting for Matt to say something like, "remember all the times growing up when I had to be responsible one, while you got to be an idiot and do what you wanted?!!" Stuff like that. Then this past week, it would have been nice to see Jeff's eyes start welling up and him say something like, "you're my older brother, damn it! I've looked up to you my life whole life. I can't fight you!"
Ahh, maybe I'm just expecting too much. LOL Just seems like it would be the easiest angle to invoke passion and natural acting to me.
Posted by: Paul in Hawaii | February 28, 2009 6:31 PM
How can I get a date with the Bella twins?
Hey now!
Posted by: AMC | February 28, 2009 6:34 PM
What in the world does Big Show need to do to get a title run? I think Show should help Edge retain at 'Mania, then turn face, lay him out, and then they can have a program where they can revisit the Vicki angle that was hinted at before. The guy is a good worker, he's HUGE, and would certainly make a credible champion, even if it's only for a couple of months. He's earned it.
Posted by: Bill Drain | February 28, 2009 7:07 PM
Yes Kevin i was mordified that it was bad enough that their was not divas match but no Maryse
Posted by: joe | February 28, 2009 8:35 PM
I have been a critic of the Taker claiming that he used to put people over but now that is a rarity.
Kudos for giving Kozlov a push. It in my opinion does nothign to weaken the Taker and gives Kozlov a credibility. IF not he was headed the Great Khali path!
Posted by: micheal deff | March 1, 2009 10:37 AM
The Hardy vs. Hardy non-match WAS a bait and switch. Based on the storyline leading to Wrestlemania,was it justifiable? Absolutely. But when you run numerous promos hyping a particular match and then don't give the fans that match, that's the definition of a bait and switch. Fans who are following the shows loyally probably won't mind much and probably saw it coming from a mile away, but casual viewers who tuned in based on the promise of a brother vs. brother match were probably annoyed.
And the Colons vs Miz/Morrison was one of the best tag tem matches I have seen in quite some time (of course, there hasn't been much competition for that honor). The match reminded of how good the tag team division can still be if they stocked it with viable, long term teams and gave the matches enough TV time to tell their story.
And am I the only one who could see the title match at Wrestlemania becoming a triple threat match between Edge, Cena and the Big Show? They have been teasing dissension between Edge and Big Show for quite awhile, and considering Big Show hasn't been put into another storyline and WM rapidly approaching, I think it makes sense.
Posted by: Glen | March 1, 2009 12:14 PM
Kevin,
I think Matt's problem is that he's trying to hard. Everything he says sounds like it's coming froma a script. It most likely is, but he can deliver it as if its not. Edge and Orton are the best promo guys because they really get into their promos. They lose themselves in their words, which makes what they have to say effective. Matt needs to tap into what he's saying, especially because so much of what he's saying is based in reality.
Posted by: Cliff | March 1, 2009 12:31 PM
JBL could help MIchaels in his match this monday. His reasons can be that he thinks that Kozlov is not worthy of the privilege of facing Taker, and if himself can't fight Taker, his substitute it's going to be at least from texas, and not from moscow.
That can turn JBL face, and can put Kozlov in a Wrestlemania Match (against JBL).
It can be the classic American vs Foreigner feud.
Posted by: Gaston | March 1, 2009 2:15 PM
Kevin, I agree with an earlier comment regarding the Hardys.
I have never been a fan of Matt since they did away with Matt Facts. Over the last couple years, he has been embarassing on the mic and one of the most boring guys in the company in the ring. Literally nothing he does is exciting or interesting.
If nothing else, Jeff's image and gimmick still connect with the whole Little kid-ICP fan-Hot topic employee-listens to Korn, Orgy, and Manson and thinks they are edgy-demongraphic. And, he does take some pretty epic bumps.
However, as a 20-something male, I find this whole feud to be incredibly lame. Neither one of them makes me care at all, and I would have been thrilled if it had been Christian stalking Jeff, leading to a re-teaming of Edge and Christian, but it was not to be. Hopefully this will all be over soon, and Edge will be on RAW, really involved in a rivalry with Cena (at least more than they are now), just like a couple years ago.
PS
I miss Rated-RKO, the reason I started caring about wrestling again
Posted by: John From Rochester NY | March 1, 2009 3:46 PM
Amazing tag match, I thought Primo really stepped up. Have a unification match at Mania please. Matt and Jeff are just proving what we all knew but didn't want to say, neither of them are good enough at promos to carry this angle. Sad but true.
Posted by: Amos | March 1, 2009 7:39 PM
Kevin I cant agree with you more... the mega powers story really defined the good versus evil in WWF. Plus you found yourself so torn. You wanted Savage to come to his senses and you wanted Hogan to smack him for being so stupid. I mean it was one of those story lines that you wished they would have rekindled and did a minor reuinon.. talk about a crowd boost... maybe tna and do that as thier Beer Money Inc. tag match...lol that would blow away WWE...lol but all joking aside. I have seen that matches for the Macho Man DVD do you have in insite as to why they wont really touch the Elizabeth Macho Man saga? or is it more or less just kept a hush hush
Posted by: Bryan Sullivan | March 1, 2009 9:15 PM
Sure, Cena is strong, but he is still a terrible worker. Watch a Chris Benoit match and compare the two.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Cena obviously is not the worker Benoit was (few are), but he is far from terrible (in my opinion).
Posted by: JGavin | March 2, 2009 1:40 PM
When are we getting our All-Time Greatest Jobbers list?
RESPONSE FROM KE: DId I ever say I was doing one? Actually it's something we could have fun with. I'll put one together soon.
Posted by: Jacob | March 2, 2009 1:52 PM
I get the impression that WWE is totally booking on the fly right now.
I can't believe they only have one match- MITB- listed for Mania.
Posted by: Elevation | March 2, 2009 2:07 PM