Edge, Chris Jericho shine on standout Smackdown
If Edge and Chris Jericho end up facing each other at WrestleMania XXVI – and I’m pretty sure they will – the road to WrestleMania is going to be a fun ride. The two superstars opened Friday night’s episode of Smackdown with an effective verbal confrontation and closed it with another one, whetting the fans’ appetites for a match between them on the grand stage that seems inevitable.
Jericho was gold on the mic as always, and Edge did a nice job of playing the babyface role without losing the “edge” that made him such a great heel. It’s too bad Edge got injured shortly after he and Jericho were put together as a tag team last summer and we never got to see their story line play out as it was originally intended.
For these two to meet at WrestleMania on March 28, Jericho is likely going to have to win the world heavyweight title in Smackdown’s Elimination Chamber match on pay-per-view in two weeks. By winning the Royal Rumble match last Sunday, Edge is guaranteed a title shot at WrestleMania with the world champion of his choosing.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
The war of words between Edge and Jericho at the end of the show was interrupted by CM Punk, so we had three of the top promo guys in the business with microphones in their hands. Good stuff. The Undertaker also showed up, and after he and Edge cleared the ring during a brief brawl, the two of them stared each other down in the final shot. ...
In addition to the Edge-Jericho segments, the entertaining episode featured five Elimination Chamber qualifying matches: John Morrison defeated Kane and Drew McIntyre in a triple threat; R-Truth defeated Mike Knox; CM Punk defeated Batista by countout; Jericho defeated Matt Hardy; and Rey Mysterio defeated Dolph Ziggler. ...
I liked the angle in which Batista refused to wrestle Punk and just walked to the back, taking a countout loss. It raised the question of why a guy so obsessed with being champion would give up his only hope of getting a title match at WrestleMania. I’m guessing it will be revealed that Batista was promised a world title match at the pay-per-view after WrestleMania by Vince McMahon for Batista helping McMahon lay out Bret Hart on Raw. ...
The footage from last Monday after Raw went off the air was edited to make it appear as if Cena saved Hart from McMahon and Batista, and then Batista came back and laid out Cena. What actually happened was that Cena made the save, but he then wrestled Sheamus in a dark match. Batista jumped Cena during the match, causing a disqualification, and power-bombed him hard on the ring steps. However, Cena still managed to get up and hit the Attitude Adjustment on Sheamus to send the crowd home happy. ...
It looks as if the rumors of Cena battling a back injury have been exaggerated. Either that or he is insane. There’s no way to protect yourself when taking a powerbomb from Batista on the steel steps. ...
The Mysterio-Ziggler and Morrison-Kane-McIntyre contests were both good, and the Jericho-Hardy match wasn’t bad either. Ziggler is one of the most underrated guys in the business. I really liked the triple threat match because I had no idea who was going to win it. I’m a little surprised that it wasn’t McIntyre. ...
In regard to Hardy’s performance in the Royal Rumble match, Todd Grisham said, “There’s no shame in being eliminated by Kane.” No, but being eliminated by anyone 10 seconds after entering the ring is pretty shameful. ...
It looks as if WWE is really serious about pushing R-Truth, as he beat Knox in less than two minutes. Normally I would complain about Knox getting squashed, but R-Truth needed to be put over strong. It’s great to see him booked in a high profile pay-per-view match. ...
When R-Truth defeated Knox, Grisham breathlessly said, “R-Truth just scored another upset!” Really? R-Truth defeating Jericho could be categorized as an upset, but Knox hasn’t won a match in forever. ...
It was nice to see a segment with multiple women cutting promos in the ring. Mickie James and Beth Phoenix both did a nice job on the mic. I think Vickie Guerrero, who interrupted them, set a record by saying “Excuse me!” four times in one promo. ...
Phoenix plays the tweener role very well, and I’m looking forward to another program with her and James. I would expect Michelle McCool to remain in the WWE women’s title hunt as well. ...
I liked the finish to the tag team match that pitted James and Phoenix against McCool and Layla, who are now known as Simply Flawless. After Phoenix laid out both James and McCool and left the ring, a fresh Layla tried to steal the victory over James, but James caught her in a small package for the three count. That keeps James looking like a resilient champion heading into her showdown with the dominant Phoenix. ...
Cryme Tyme’s “Word Up” segment made its return. What’s next, a Pretty Ricky sighting? ...
Wow, Jerry Lawler actually said the word “puppies” during his cameo with Cryme Tyme. Since this is the family-friendly era in WWE, I’m guessing he was talking about cute young dogs and not cute young women.
Comments
Do I smell Deja Vu? We're seeing a position-stealing again with R-Truth as the guinea pig, only that's it'll be HBK doing Edge's roll. He'll be so obsessed in fighting the Undertaker that he'll do anything to get him as his Wrestlemania opponent - win the WHC, then re-match at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Of course, this also means Jericho and Michaels in the same ring - always entertaining.
Posted by: JETZexc | February 7, 2010 2:51 PM
'The Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck Blogs about his love for WWE.'
'WWE posts'
Posted by: Bruck | February 7, 2010 3:41 PM
For about three weeks the Diva's segment was the best thing on SmackDown..this week it was even stronger.I did like the show and was happy with the results and booking as a whole..I still don't get the CM Punk/Batista thing..You are probaly right about that whole mess though.I really only have 1 issue with the chamber match,No Drew Mc..wow.BTW I do miss Good ole JR...Grisham doesn't get it..He buries people getting thier push and throw's dirt on the grave of wrestlers that creative doesn't have plans for..ie Matt Hardy.Thanks Kevin,as always,God Bless.
Posted by: David Baugus | February 7, 2010 3:54 PM
Smackdown really was fantastic this point. I just really hope that the WWE gives us the Jericho-Edge match we all really want to see instead of some stupid swerve just for the sake of fooling the people.
Posted by: Elevation | February 7, 2010 4:17 PM
The triple threat makes perfect sense. They want Morrison in the chamber, his natural opponent is McIntyre. However, McIntyre has yet to be pinned, and the 'E obviously wanted this to continue. They add in Kane so that both he and McIntyre are given the "opportunity" at a title shot. Kane looks strong by taking both SSP and the DDT to beat him, Morrison gets a big win, and McIntyre can complain that Morrison stole it from him.
Posted by: Jon | February 7, 2010 5:45 PM
Hey Kev,
Where do you think this leaves Shawn Micheals now? Given how much TV time has been given to hm wanting a match with Undertaker, my guess is that is what is going to end up happening.
I had assumed when he lost to Randy Orton on Raw that he would show up on Smackdown and in a heel like tease, knock someone out of the qualifying match, take their place and win it, then win the Elimination Chamber, thus getting a title match with Taker at WM26.
My guess is he'll do an Edge like angle and knock someone out on the way down to the chamber match and take their place. I just hope it isn't R-Truth....or John Morrison - possibly Mysterio given their recent match.
Or Micheals could still square off against Triple H at WM26
I'm enjoying the unpredictability....
Posted by: rob | February 7, 2010 7:40 PM
Exellent Blog Kev, it was only topped by the Show itself. Of all the guys who are in the chamber i too hope jericho wins to further his feud with edge. Though if morrison or truth won i would be leap fifteen feet into the air, Shout "WHATS UP" then fade into the sunset.
Cena is crazy by the way so i still am not sure about these back injuries.
Posted by: Anon | February 7, 2010 9:36 PM
Maybe I'm the only one...but I don't actually see R-Truth making it into the Chamber. Much like Kofi/Edge last year, I could see HBK taking his place just to get at the Undertaker.
Pretty sure Jericho is going to win the belt back, but I really hope Punk gets another run with it...
Posted by: Todd | February 7, 2010 9:40 PM
Maybe it's just me, but The Straight-Edge Society resembles those evil Kryptonians in Superman 2:
http://www.filmwad.com/fw_images/directorvstheatrical/superman2warner.jpg
By the way, it was nice to see Punk once again involved in Smackdown's closing segment.
Posted by: Christopher | February 7, 2010 10:32 PM
Knox would be perfect for the Straight Edge Society. Can someone past this along to Vince for me please?
Posted by: rob the barber | February 7, 2010 11:53 PM
I though it was a really good SD glad to see R-truth actually be in a qualifing match and to actually win 1 is even better anyway as far as Morrison goes you had to have him win this match as much jobbing he has been doing after a year ago or almost a year ago beating the world champ in non title matches would really kill his star power. I am really happy to see Punk in the final segment showing how he was the dominent heel for the later part of last year before getting knocked down some glad to see him back.
Posted by: frank from dundalk | February 8, 2010 5:28 PM
What about the possibility of HHH/HBK/Taker at WM 26? HBK is gaining so much heat with them that I could see that happening, especially if DX loses the titles tonight.
Posted by: Clint | February 8, 2010 8:17 PM
$20 says R-Truth is gonna get whacked before the Elimination Chamber like Kofi was last year. I have no evidence to back that up, by the way.
Posted by: Cliff | February 8, 2010 11:35 PM
I'm thinking that 'Taker will lose the title (hopefully to Jericho) at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Shawn (given his line about his career being over) will be able to challenge 'Taker in a retirement match for WM.
Kevin, I like the way you think about the WM main event with Edge and Jericho.
Posted by: rawsatyr | February 9, 2010 11:42 AM
I love the unpredictability. I have no freakin idea how WM 26 will lay out, but the Road to Wrestlemania 2010 may go down in history. Thoughts on Smackdown:
Edge continues to be the best on the mic in the WWE. He still was ready to spear Undertaker at the end of the Cutting Edge, which shows that he still has that heel side to him, meaning, he can turn once hes done with the Jericho angle.
Ive also been hearing that HBK may take R-Truths spot, like Edge-Kofi last year. I doubt it. The fans are way over on Truth, and a move like that would put HBK at a heel status in there book.
I LOVE how CM punk holds the mic. He cups in in his hands, all holy-like. its brilliant. His new "preacher" character is great. Its a shame itll be wasted on a match with Mysterio at WM
Posted by: Ace | February 9, 2010 4:08 PM
Theres about as much chance of R-Truth making it to the elimination chmaber as their is of Kevin Eck announcing Sheamus as Wrestler of the Year When WWE commentators auch as Michael Cole talk about the upset etc, what they really mean is that R-Truth has just earned himself a front row seat to some sweet chin music! How does Cole manage to runi everything?
Posted by: antomurf | February 11, 2010 5:59 AM