Randy Orton owns Triple H on Smackdown
I can just envision Stephanie McMahon, at home recuperating from the RKO she took from Randy Orton, screaming at the television as she watched Orton and company destroy Triple H on Smackdown last night:
“What’s wrong with you, Hunter? Your brother-in-law Shane had no problem single-handedly destroying all three members of Legacy! Now stop crawling around on the mat and drooling on yourself, already! And don’t forget to take out the garbage when you get home!”
The fact that Shane O’Mac was booked stronger than the 13-time world champion notwithstanding, I thought Legacy’s beat-down of Triple H at the end of the show got heat on Orton and built anticipation for their match at WrestleMania.
Some will probably say that the three-on-one attack went on too long, but I disagree. The longer it went, the more viewers had hope that Triple H would make a comeback, and that hope was squashed again and again. Orton taunting and toying with Triple H but holding back from delivering the knockout blow – I believe he said “not yet” near the end – showed Orton’s psychotic side.
The assault also was effective because it was unexpected. After the stipulation was made on Raw Monday that the WrestleMania match would be off if Triple H put his hands on Orton without provocation, I figured Orton would attack Triple H eventually, but only after a couple weeks of trying to goad Triple H into taking a swing at him.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
So it’s looking like it will be a triple threat between world heavyweight champion Edge, Big Show and John Cena at WrestleMania. Big Show actually said that’s what it would be during an appearance on VH-1 yesterday, according to pwinsider.com. As for that rumored Hulk Hogan-Cena match (or any Hogan match at WrestleMania), it’s not looking good, as “The Hulkster” recently underwent back surgery, according to prowrestling.net.
While I would prefer a one-on-one match between Edge and Cena at WrestleMania, I have to admit that I am intrigued by the Edge/Big Show/Vickie Guerrero story line, as well as whatever it was that Cena whispered into Guerrero’s ear last night. …
Matt Hardy cut a serviceable heel promo, but, so far, the feuding Hardy brothers story line has not been nearly as good as I expected it to be. I think some of it is that Matt and Jeff just don’t have the mic skills to pull it off (which was my initial fear with the angle), but I don’t think the creative team has done enough to get the angle over as something special either. It comes across as just another wrestling angle. …
I expected MVP to be in the Money in the Bank ladder match and I’m happy that he is, but I’m not sure Matt Hardy was the right opponent for him to defeat in a qualifying match. It doesn’t make sense to me to have Hardy doing jobs leading up to his match with Jeff at WrestleMania.
The story was that since Matt lost and wouldn’t get to face Jeff (if he won his qualifier) in the MIB match at WrestleMania, he interfered and cost Jeff his match.
I would have still had Matt cause Jeff to lose, but instead of having Matt job to MVP, why not just keep Matt out of the MIB qualifying? The fact that he was overlooked while Jeff got an opportunity could have played into his inferiority complex and jealousy. …
The Jeff Hardy-Shelton Benjamin match was good until the nonsensical finish, when Matt Hardy walked into the ring and punched Benjamin, resulting in an immediate disqualification of Jeff. I have always thought that rule was silly – even by pro wrestling standards. It would have been better if Matt had interfered behind the referee’s back, which led to Benjamin pinning Jeff. It accomplishes the same goal and also makes Benjamin look stronger in the process. …
I’m always happy whenever Maryse is on the show, but her match with Eve wasn’t good, largely because Eve just shouldn’t be in the ring at this point. Listening to Michelle McCool’s monotone commentary certainly didn’t help any. …
I finally have something positive to say about a The Dirt Sheet segment. I loved hearing old-school ring announcer Howard Finkel doing the intro. It was all downhill after that, however.
Comments
Kevin , are you sure that wasn't your wife that said stop drooling on yourself and take the trash out (after watching Maryse) ?
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 7, 2009 2:17 PM
"I have to admit that I am intrigued by the Edge/Big Show/Vickie Guerrero story line, as well as whatever it was that Cena whispered into Guerrero’s ear last night. …"
He must have told her that he knows about her affair with The Big Show. What else would upset her to tears?
I agree with most of what you wrote about how the Matt-Jeff feud has unfolded, thus far. By having Matt lose cleanly to MVP in a qualifying match just a few weeks before Wrestlemania, WWE is essentially saying that whatever Matt's role will be on the grandest stage, it won't be a big role. Also, WWE misses those brand-exclusive pay-per-views. Matt could gone over Hurricane Helms (where is he, by the way?) at No Way Out, thus building anticipation for a Wrestlemania match with his brother. My only small disagreement is in regard to Shelton's victory. I really dislike outside-interference screw jobs, so I much prefer what Matt did, even if it highlights the silliness of the DQ rule.
Posted by: Christopher | March 7, 2009 3:02 PM
The HHH beatdown was one of the better ones of the past few years.....tho no group will ever...and I say EVER, challenge the Four Horsemen for Group Beatdown Champions of the world.
Posted by: Sean | March 7, 2009 3:28 PM
I reckon Cena was telling Vicki that he knows about her affair with The Show. That's why she was left so fearful and shaken, which means he will 'own' her for a while at least. I'd like to see edge more compassionate towards her, it would make the eventual betrayal more telling.
The Hardy's..I have to agree, the creative boys seem to be treating it as just another angle, even though the boys are lacking on the mic, I reckon they have the ability to pull it off if given the chance. Particularly if Matt was continually hounding Jeff into throwing a punch. Wonder what the 'trigger' will be?
Cheers Kev from down under, have enjoyed your blog for over a year, figured I should contribute a little something. It's been fantastic when the WWE have ventured down this way, being able to take my young bloke along. As a huge Jeff hardy fan, he's really getting into the Matt-Jeff angle.
Posted by: Alan | March 7, 2009 3:40 PM
From what I read, the beat down of HHH happened after the taping of the 2nd Smackdown show that night. But because of the injury of Umaga, they had to improvise on the ending of the first Smackdown so they inserted footage of HHH being beat down by Legacy.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Actually, from what I read, Umaga did suffer an injury, but the beat-down took place at that point, not after the second taping.
Posted by: Shawn Patrick | March 7, 2009 3:48 PM
Although Legacy and Orton were made to look stronger against HHH than they had previously against Shane, it still took almost 5 minutes before they could subdue HHH enough to administer the beatdown. I can't imagine ever seeing the Four Horseman or Evolution have to struggle so mightily to subdue one wrestler the way that Legacy consistently does. And being that I had no desire to see HHH mount a comeback, I definitely think the segment went on too long. I'm just glad they interfered when they did, so that Umaga didn't have to get buried by HHH in the match, so soon after his re-launch as an unstoppable force.
I noticed you made no mention of Taker's opening promo, which might say it all. I thought it was a bit rambling and overlong, but being that Taker doesn't do too many promos these days, I will cut him some slck.
Posted by: Glen | March 7, 2009 6:18 PM
an ok smackdown.
a clean loss on matt hardy?!? what gives????
Posted by: rob the barber | March 7, 2009 9:09 PM
That DQ finish was widely praised when it was used with JBL/Rey in December, so I thought you might be going back on your earlier words here. Nope, you wrote about that match: "(it) doesn’t really make sense if you think about it ... why wouldn’t every wrestler just have one of their friends come down to ringside and slap them so that they could advance by a DQ?" (December 23, 2008)
Incidentally, this level of fairness and consistency in your opinion of the shows is what makes this blog one of the best on the Internet! Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | March 7, 2009 10:59 PM
HHH pwned Randy Orton for weeks and The Legacy has limited credibility after the beatdown by Shane, so as much as I hate it, I expect Stephanie McMahon to turn on HHH at WM25. It seems like the only way to salvage Orton, who is the strongest commodity in WWE today. All hype aside, who is expected to win the WWE title match?
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | March 7, 2009 11:09 PM
Kev, I was surprised you didnt mention Taker's promo which after watching wrestling for the past 15 years I thought was his best yet. In character but personal at the same time, talking about the 'Streak' and what it means...and the line of the night...only because it as true for Shawn Michaels as is it for the rest of us..."it's hell getting into heaven"...
Was looking forward to your thoughts...
RESPONE FROM KE: I thought the promo was fine but it didn't come off as anything special to me. As for tthe line, I suppose it didn't make much of an impression on me because it was the second time he used it recently.
Posted by: RattleSnake | March 8, 2009 12:06 AM
I think Matt's whole deal is "If I can't be successful, Matt can't be either". It's like when Matt lost to Jack Swagger at the Royal Rumble: "If I can't be ECW Champion, then Jeff can't be WWE Champion."
Posted by: Cliff | March 9, 2009 8:47 AM