Quick hits on WWE Superstars
• John Morrison had another really good match, this time against Tyson Kidd. Morrison seems a lot more comfortable working as a babyface than he did at first, and he is starting to connect more with the audience. I was in attendance for this one Monday night at Verizon Center in Washington, and Morrison definitely had the crowd behind him. Kidd also looked good and got in a lot of offense before losing.
• The neckbreaker that Kidd hit on the apron looked nasty.
• WWE champion Randy Orton versus Primo at least was something different. The near fall that Primo got after hitting a missile dropkick certainly got the crowd’s attention.
• I’m not sure it was that noticeable on TV, but the fans in Washington booed Primo when he came out (although he did get some cheers during the match). Orton got a passionate response that was probably 70 or 80 percent boos. The difference is that Orton was booed because he is a good heel, while Primo was booed because he’s not as big of a star as Orton. The crowd popped big for the RKO.
• In a pre-match interview, Orton remarked how Shaquille O’Neal came up with the Beat the Clock Challenge on Raw Monday to find a new challenger for him. I wouldn’t exactly called John Cena a new challenger.
• That was a nice video package of MVP, but at this point, why even bother? I think the only chance MVP has of getting a major push is to turn heel again. The antagonist role seems like a better fit for him.
• William Regal and Yoshi Tatsu had a hard-hitting match. Regal got his win back after putting Tatsu over on last week’s episode of ECW, so it’s likely that they will meet again to break the 1-1 tie.
Comments
Tyson Kidd continues to improve. He needs to ditch that ridiculous thing on his head ASAP, he impresses me more with each match. Morrison is simply the best worker in the business. I'm glad the crowd is finally starting to get behind him. They've admired him for a while now (his big spots have been drawing "Ooohs!" for some time), but it seems that they're finally appreciating his character as well as his obvious physical abilities.
Maybe it was because the outcome was too obvious to be compelling, but I was not into the Orton match. As for Primo, I think the guy has talent, but that *something* isn't there, and the crowd has never really backed him because of it. He needs an image change; not necessarily a heel turn, but he should shave his head and what little facial hair he has, stop all the superfluous in-ring acrobatics, and in short just grow up. He'd probably benefit a return to Florida to re-haul his image.
My thoughts exactly on what Orton said.
I still think that Regal is one of the great under-utilized talents of all time. The guy draws heat easier than just about anyone I can think of, has an amazing heel presence about him, and can flat-out work. Some guys (Steve Austin comes immediately to mind) have to labor for years before catching their break; Regal never did catch his.
Posted by: Michael in Virginia | July 31, 2009 5:55 AM
KEV - What IS the name of John Morrison's finisher? I feel like JR and Todd Grisham call that move something different everyweek.
Is it
A) Starlights AND Champagne
B) Stars and Champagne
C) Starlight Champagne
D) Star Champagne
E) A spining twisting backflip off the top rope
RESPONSE FROM KE: F) None of the above. It's Starship Pain.
Posted by: B.Vic | July 31, 2009 8:37 AM
Is it just me, or is it seriously dumb that the crowd chants "USA" during some matches which feature non-Americans like Kozlov and the Hart Dynasty?
They were even chanting "USA" during a Christian vs some non-American match. They do realize that Christian is Canadian, right?
Regardless, it seems pretty dumb - it's not a "me vs. USA" feud like it was with Bret's Hart Foundation...
Posted by: walk_w/o_aim | July 31, 2009 12:42 PM
Woohoo! My boy got a win on TV!! Go Willy!
Posted by: Andy | July 31, 2009 4:53 PM
It's a shame Tyson Kidd isn't a little bit bigger. I really see something in him. He could be the next Bret Hart. I'm just afraid because of his size he won't be used to full capacity like he could be. You see what just happened to Kendrick and how well they use their other good, smaller workers. I don't understand why Vince keeps hiring these smaller guys when you know he has no plan for them. Unless you're Rey Mysterio....or a leperchan.
Posted by: Andre the Midget | July 31, 2009 5:19 PM
I really like the format of this show and am hopeful that it doesn't become like Sunday Night Heat with numerous recaps and unwatchable matches.
Posted by: Rick from Carney | August 1, 2009 10:49 AM