Am I alone in being intensely annoyed by Matt Striker's commentary? It's like words come out of his mouth without any forethought. I know his subtle heel persona might require him trying to sound cleverer than others, but at the moment he just sounds like an idiot. I'm not suggesting commentary is easy, but we're really missing Jim Ross right now.

"I wouldn’t mind seeing Hardy and R-Truth as a regular tag team"

I was thinking exactly the same during their entrance/first double team move. I also liked Hardy handing out Jeff DVDs while CM Punk was on the mic... nice touch

HHH uses a real sladgehammer. Morrison should have used a prop instead of a sharp edged sword. Did you notice the blood above his eye after the bump with Drew McIntyre? So, is Luke Gallows the "NEW" Bull Buchanan? Couldn't agree with you more on the tamed down version of the "Street Fight". Maybe because of the new PG rating, they should change it to a SESAME Street Fight?

Was it just me thinking this, or did John Morrison cut himself on the eyebrow with the sword? Looked like blood to me.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I totally missed it, but the consensus seems to be that Morrison accidentally cut himself with the sword.

I doubt you're alone Simon but I for one think Striker is excellent. I like his enthusiasm, you can tell he really works hard to fit in references to things viewers might find interesting as opposed to reiterating the same boring catchphrases week after week without really saying much. The Smackdown announce team is really good at incorpoarting fresh interpretations for catchphrases and names for moves that make each broadcast unique.

You're not alone, Simon. He's a smart guy who knows his business, but he's not exactly in danger of winning a MacArthur Genius Grant anytime soon. I know he's playing a heel, but I find him genuinely annoying, in the same manner that I find Vickie Guerrero. If I'm not specifically interested in the match, I'm probably channel surfing if Striker is doing the commentary. I recognize I'm probably in the minority, though.

Next week, McIntyre should come out dressed as a big, fat, stupid American eating burgers and donuts. Oh wait, that wont happen, WWE is American and only insult other nations with stereotypes.

Batistas opening promo was quality, demanding a spotlight. He seems more comfrtoable playing a bad guy, and it shows in his excellent mic work.

I was annoyed Knox lost, but I am intrigued as to where this anglle is going. Knox deserves a lot more than he is currently getting.

The opening tag team match was very good, Luke Gallows is very good in the ring, and his finisher is simply awesome.

No Cryme Tyme or Hart Dynasty match... what a shock!!!

I still think that CM Punk's promos are good, but they aren't platinum quality as they were during his feud with Jeff Hardy. He currently cuts promos on the fans instead of on a specific adversary, so that may have something to do with it.

I agree with the verbal confrontation of Morrison/McIntyre. When I saw Morrison in that getup I was all "what the...?", but as soon as he started to talk all Scottish, I've got some meaty entertainment. BTW, isn't blading banned in WWE? If so, why does Morrison bring a sword?

Lame jokes aside, nice show overall. Oh, and Jericho got a win by submitting. Ok, it was with a mid-card in a handicap match, but who cares? Jericho wins are rare these days, specially submissions.

I agree with Simon 100%, I did like Striker's commentary at the start, but now he does my head in. Some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth is just plain stupid. I disagree with you Kev that Batista has been impressive since turni ng heel, but he did cut one of his best promos ever on Friday night. John Morrison's promo was also excellant. CM Punk's work gets better and better. A very solid Smackdown.

Batista was channeling his inner Terry Bollea with that promo.

Guess I'm in the minority: thumbs up for striker, thumbs down for morrison.

Striker gives a balance to the broadcast team...the best commentators have always been a face/heel combo...Vince/Ventura, Monsoon/Heenan, King/JR.

Although I admit sometimes he says some dumb things and Grisham called him out when he called the Punk/Gallows team as a 'historically dangerous duo' when they've only been together for 2 weeks.

Morrison came across as cheap and lame. I mean why is it ok to make fun of someone for being scottish, but then its a travesty when mickie james gets poked fun of??

And finally what were the writers thinking when they had Jericho basically job to Eric Escobar days before the PPV?

Morrisson's promo was hillarious. Striker is obviously trying too hard but one cannot deny his natural talent.

As much as I like Matt Striker, in my opinion he is the best commentator at the WWE now JR is out, the general level is commentary is absolutely appauling.
Here are a few things I have picked up on this week....

Grisham or Striker said that fans in the UK would be looking forward to seeing 'their countryman' in action, referring to Sheamus. Sheamus is actually Irish, not Northern Irish and therefore not a citizen of the UK. To be honest, I think an Irishman would quite resent that.

Second, Grisham descibed William Wallace as a 'knight' which is completely untrue. Again, I am pretty sure Wallace himself would have been pretty p---ed to hear himself compared to a Knight, typically an Englishman, who he fought against for most of his life.

Thirdly, I am SURE that on Smackdown I heard someone say that the intercontinental title was being decided FOR THE FIRST TIME! I even checked back to make sure they didnt say, 'at TLC' or between Macintyre and Morrisson, but no, just for the first time ever apparently.

All small things but they just show how poor and ill-thought most of the commentary is on WWE shows at the moment. I'm going to start watching it with the sound off I think.

Is that Luke Gallows related to Arn Anderson...they could be twins just looking at their faces...?

Morrison is only good at scripted stuff.

In fact, people overrate his mic skills because he does so well at that. Just look at how entertaining he was when things were scripted for him on the Dirt Sheet.

When he has to go live, though, he struggles. His lack of confidence shows.

WWE has to protect him if they want to move him up the ladder. Know his weaknesses and try to hide it.

Just my 2¢ worth:

I fail to see the vaule in Knox's charactor as it is now - or at least the last time I saw him/it.

I also think Striker is the best color man WWE has except for JR. Not that I think JR should be a color commentator anymore than I think Bourne should be a jobber to the stars.

JMHO

RE: Morrison's sword.

If the blade of that sword was sharp enough to cut him then it was not a real sword. Broadswords such as the one he was carrying are, by design, -extremely- dull. I mean duller than a butter knife dull.

In traditional broadsword combat a la scottish broadswords and claymores and such the sword is used as a crushing weapon - the intention being to cause dents in the foe's armor, not to actually "cut" them (it would be impossible through plate armor anyway) and then once they're down you stab them.

The only "sharp" part of a broadsword is the very tip, and even then it's not very sharp, you have to jam it pretty hard to penetrate skin.

Point being, it's just as likely that they did use a prop and that the prop is sharper than a real broadsword would be.

Second, Grisham descibed William Wallace as a 'knight' which is completely untrue. Again, I am pretty sure Wallace himself would have been pretty p---ed to hear himself compared to a Knight, typically an Englishman, who he fought against for most of his life.

Watching Braveheart. Wallace got knighted about halfway through the movie by his Scottish Brethren. Maybe not historically correct, but it is movie-wise.

I think John Morrison was pretty beast and obviously hot! Could the cut above his eyebrow possibly be from last week's match with Drew..? Well anyways..I LOVE U JOHN MORRISON!!!

I was in the kitchen doing dishes during the Morrison/McIntyre and I kept losing track of which accent belonged to who.

FWIW, William Wallace was knighted in late 1297, after the Battle of Sterling Bridge and his short-lived invasion of Northumberland and Cumberland.