Batista continues the ‘heeling’ process on Smackdown
We’re a couple weeks into Batista’s heel turn, and I’m giving it a thumbs up to this point.
“The Animal’s” switch to the dark side is working for several reasons, one of which is the way Batista’s character has been developed. He’s not a cocky, smarmy heel like Chris Jericho or a psychotic heel like Randy Orton. He’s a powerhouse whose frustration over his inability to hold the world title for more than a week over the past two years finally caused him to explode. His motivation for turning against his friend Rey Mysterio and his willingness to go through anyone who stands between him and the title is realistic.
During a backstage interview on Friday night’s episode of Smackdown, he was able to get his point across with just a few measured words and an intense glare. He also came off as a dangerous force in his match against Matt Hardy.
Another reason Batista’s turn is effective is due to the fact that he hasn’t been a heel in more than four years. Because he had a significant stretch as a babyface, his change in attitude has impact. Plus, he is a much bigger star now than he was during his last heel run as a member of Evolution.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
Even though Batista is getting the big push, he lost to Hardy by disqualification, which I thought was a good call. Batista looked dominant and demonstrated heel qualities – he assaulted Hardy outside the ring and hit him over the head with a TV monitor – without Hardy getting totally squashed. I was surprised that Batista didn’t follow through with the Batista Bomb that he teased after the match. ...
It was cool seeing Jericho and The Undertaker engage in a verbal confrontation, and it will be even better to see them in a one-on-one match on next week’s show. Somehow, two of the biggest stars of the past decade have only been in the ring together on rare occasions and have never had a singles program. ...
I liked the CM Punk vs. R-Truth match. It was nice to see R-Truth get a big – if somewhat predictable and fluky – win over a star such as Punk. I’m interested to see where the angle between Punk and referee Scott Armstrong is headed. ...
Despite the ridiculous difference in size, Mysterio and Mike Knox had a good match. Mysterio has always had a knack for making his matches against huge men look believable. ...
Here’s a surprise: The Hart Dynasty wrestled Cryme Tyme. This time it was in a six-man tag match also involving John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler. At least the right team won (the heels) and the right guy scored the winning pinfall (Ziggler). ...
I’m looking forward to Morrison vs. Ziggler for the Intercontinental title on next week’s show. Ziggler has to win it this time, right? I wouldn’t be surprised if Maria showed up, turned heel and cost Morrison the title, but I’m not sure if she is available due to her participation on “Celebrity Apprentice.” ...
I like what WWE is doing with Beth Phoenix, who squashed another enhancement talent.
Comments
Batista's heel turn has been so much more effective than the 50 stupid face or heel turns that take place every single episode of Impact.
Posted by: Elevation | November 7, 2009 5:14 PM
"I was surprised that Batista didn’t follow through with the Batista Bomb that he teased after the match. ..."
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I take it to mean that he is saving the Batista Bomb for Rey. If that's the case, it's good storytelling.
That enhancement girl did a tremendous job of selling that she was in distress....
Posted by: Christopher | November 7, 2009 5:16 PM
Kevin-
I recently came across your blog and look forward to your posts. You're one of the few writers whose passion for and knowledge of wrestling comes across very well. I was a huge NWA/WCW guy, so after taking several years to get over its demise, I can only hope WWE gets stronger and stronger with its young talent.
Posted by: Dave Miller | November 7, 2009 5:30 PM
you said it all Kev
but I have to co-sign the Beth Phoenix comment...she looked awesome!
Posted by: rob the barber | November 7, 2009 6:40 PM
Undertaker promo:
The championship is the holy grail.
Guy 1: I'll steal your soul.
Guy 2: And yours.
Guy 3: And yours.
...
Guy n: And yours.
Undertaker was severely outclassed in that confrontation with Jericho. I'm glad they made him look as if he wasn't afraid, even going so far as to manage to hit Taker a few times. I just hope Jericho actually wins the title and isn't used as a jobber again.
They should stop bringing up Eddie Guerrero already. He has nothing to do with the Mysterio-Batista feud.
Jimmy Wang Yang got a nice pop...
So, Jericho's back on track, but now Punk's jobbing to a glorified jobber. What are they doing to him?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 7, 2009 8:56 PM
Agree with pretty much everything
But a couple of things I wanted to point out
I thought Mike Knox put in a very good performance versus Mysterio, which could put him in good stead for the future. He is a good big guy, with some decent offense. Hopefully I am not alone.
The Beth Pheonix storyline... I can see her doing this for a month or so, then one of them wilol beat her. Either this, or it's just boring filler to get her over as a powerhouse.
I can see Kane getting involved in the Taker/Jericho/BigShow story in one way or another.
What will happen when Good Ol JR returns? Will it be he and Striker, or he and Todd, oe even all 3?
Posted by: SteRDLK | November 7, 2009 9:05 PM
I'm confused over how the announcers are playing the Batista heel turn. Instead of saying that it's because of his boiled over frustrations, they're acting like Batista has always been like this and is just now letting his true character come out.
That explanation worked for a heel turn like Matt Hardy's, but it just doesn't seem to fit this situation.
Posted by: Tom | November 7, 2009 10:59 PM
I don't remember if I read it here or not, but someone brought up the possibility of Road Dogg being brought back to WWE to help his brother Scott Armstrong fight CM Punk. If it happens, I'd be happy because I was a fan of Road Dogg back in the late 90's. I didn't get to watch the show, so I was wondering, did they mention the rivalry Knox and Mysterio had late last year? They kind of blew off the feud when they went to Smackdown. They had good matches back then too. Here's to Dolph Ziggler's second title in the WWE!
Posted by: paul | November 8, 2009 12:04 AM
Enhancement-talent quashes were a staple of older wrestling TV storylines; and although I understand some of the reasons they've disappeared (more PPVs mean less time to develop stories; profitability and primetime ratings require constant top-star presence; etc.), the fact is that WWE has some problems that enhancement talent could fix, and Vince hasn't yet figured out a better solution. So why not bring back a tactic that's known to work?
Posted by: Stephen | November 8, 2009 1:29 AM
"I was surprised that Batista didn’t follow through with the Batista Bomb that he teased after the match. ..."
He didn't go through with it because the crowd was cheering for him to do it, he didn't give the fans what they wanted.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 8, 2009 8:24 PM
I thought the announcers said something about Batista not doing the Batista Bomb on Hardy because the crowd was calling for it. If he was supposed to then decided against it because he was afraid he'd get a pop, then it was a tremendous audible.
Posted by: Sam | November 8, 2009 10:27 PM
Its a shame that wwe can't get past letting th same guys get title shots. i believe that some of the guys like morrison punk and kofi(hopefully he won't get buried in his match with orton)should just jump over to tna at least there they could be respected as performers
Posted by: Keilon | November 11, 2009 10:09 AM