The plot thickens on Smackdown
As evidenced by Friday night’s episode, Smackdown continues to be the most entertaining wrestling show on television. All the top guys are really connecting with the audience, and the story lines are developing in such a way that you are always looking forward to the next show.
One of the main angles this week focused on who Edge might choose to face at WrestleMania XXVI. It was teased that it would be either The Undertaker or Chris Jericho. Those two wrestled each other in a no-disqualification match in Friday’s main event, with Edge doing commentary at ringside.
Prior to the match, Edge and Jericho had a verbal confrontation. During the match, The Undertaker kicked Edge in the face in an unprovoked attack, but Edge came back later and speared him, which led to Jericho hitting The Codebreaker on The Undertaker for the upset victory.
As a result of all that, Jericho looks strong heading into the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in two weeks, The Undertaker appears vulnerable, and Edge has a beef with both of them.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
We likely saw the beginning of the rumored hair vs. mask WrestleMania program between CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. Mysterio scored a hard-fought win over Punk, but Punk, Luke Gallows and Serena laid out Mysterio after the match. …
It looks as if those who thought that Shawn Michaels would somehow end up with a spot in the Elimination Chamber match for the world heavyweight title at the expense of R-Truth had the right idea but the wrong guy. A match between R-Truth and John Morrison lasted less than a minute, as Morrison appeared to suffer an ankle injury that ended the match prematurely. There was some question this week as to whether the injury was a work or a shoot, but judging by the reaction of the referee, it looked to me like a work. I’m guessing that Morrison will be unable to compete in the Elimination Chamber and Michaels will take his place. On a side note, I was really looking forward to the Morrison/R-Truth match. …
Batista delivered his most-heated promo ever – and he didn’t say a word. That was pure genius. It had been advertised that Batista was going to explain his recent actions regarding John Cena and Bret Hart, but nothing he could have said would have been as effective as simply refusing to say anything at all. I especially liked the way he came back to the ring a second time, teasing that he was finally going to speak before nonchalantly dropping the mic again and leaving for good. …
The boot to the face by The Undertaker on Edge apparently was a bit stiff, as Edge had an abrasion on the side of his face afterward. …
Jericho had a good line during his promo with Edge when he said that he didn’t know what it was like to come back from an injury because he never gets injured. Jericho’s ability to avoid serious injuries has always amazed me, especially when considering that he never just goes through the motions in the ring. …
The Drew McIntyre-Kane match, which ended in a double-countout, was serviceable. That’s not a program that I’m overly excited about, but a victory over Kane would probably help McIntyre get over more. …
You have to give it to Matt Hardy. No matter how much he is buried, he still gets a big pop (I’m assuming the pop was for him and not his tag team partner, The Great Khali). …
I thought it was funny that Vickie Guerrero, after getting cottage cheese inadvertently dumped on her by Mickie James backstage, came out to interrupt the James-Layla match minutes later and was still covered in it. Don’t they have towels back there? By the way, given all the fat jokes that have been directed at Guerrero over the years, wouldn’t it make more sense if she sided with James rather than Michelle McCool and Layla?
Comments
I was really looking forward to the Morrison/R-Truth match as well, I hope neither of these get replaced by HBK. I read that Morrison wrestled on a house show in Ecuador on Thursday.
Posted by: Neil | February 13, 2010 5:39 PM
I'm still thinking that the injury is a work. Morrison went on the overseas tour and worked matches over there.
Posted by: Jack Windham | February 13, 2010 5:54 PM
Kane has had a resurgence in the ring. His match with Dolph Ziggler a few weeks ago was very good, and the match with McIntyre was better than serviceable, in my opinion.
Posted by: Christopher | February 13, 2010 6:41 PM
Morrison faked an injury very badly, and it was annoying to hear Matt Stiker trying to explain what happened to his right ankle and that there are lots of ligaments and muscles there...such a bs'er he is.
I really enjoyed McIntyre's new entrance theme. It elevates him, and will eventually help him achieve star status.
I've read on some website that Morrison is still going to be in the chamber match and even win it. Don't know if that rumor is going to prove to be true but the idea could set up for a Morrison-Punk heavyweight title match at WM which I would love.
Posted by: MitZi | February 13, 2010 6:52 PM
As reported by several sites, Morrison's injury is a work (he wrestled the following days in Equador on a Smackdown tour). I would like to see HBK in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber, but I'm very dissapointed when this is the actual storyline, where he'll replace an "injured" John Morrison.
A better idea would be if Punk had injured Mysterio after their match, and thus eliminating him from the Chamber and setting a program between the two at Wrestlemania. By the way, I think their match was awesome.
Posted by: Jasko | February 13, 2010 7:43 PM
The "injury" with Morrison seems a bit confusing to me, though their is evidence of it being a work, it also seems a little legitimate. On his twitter he said he had broken it, but then he said he was surffing, so I'm wondering whether it really was a work or not. Reguardless, I wished Morrison was in the elimination chamber~
Posted by: Anna | February 13, 2010 8:03 PM
The Morrison/R-Truth match was something, I think Morrison definitely was hurt bad -- for real. I feel sorry for him and I hope he isn't out for long. I agree, a Morrison vs. R-Truth match is something to see! Also, very good sportsmanship by Truth, with the handshake in the beginning and then helping Morrison after he got hurt.
Posted by: Zark | February 13, 2010 9:00 PM
very good show, I think matt hardys pop has something to do with his music, actually getting a good reaction always seem to be with the music....
Posted by: delliott | February 14, 2010 2:10 AM
Kevin,as the two biggest marks for HBK..I think Morrison going down to injury(real or not) gives the WWE more to work with..Love when HBK goes semi heel.Hate to say it but Batista was good..real good with his promo,now that was HEAT.Thank God the fans still dig Matt Hardy,he should be getting better from the WWE.As always thanks Kevin and God Bless.
Posted by: David Baugus | February 14, 2010 8:42 AM
we were cheering for hardy. khali is irrelevant. we were just amazed how tall he looked in person.
and maria bending over like that in front of me was just great
Posted by: SOUTHERN MISS ELITE | February 14, 2010 11:36 AM
Jericho and Edge are outstanding just now. Praying for the belt on y2j out of the elimination chamber (maybe HBK costing the Undertaker?) - the programme leading up to Wrestlemania between them could be feud of the year material.
Posted by: djy | February 14, 2010 12:52 PM
For the love of god, don;t set up a Punk v. Mysterio Hair/Mask match. We know how it's gonna end.
Serena is looking really good and definatly brings an extra level of creepy to the SES.
Posted by: David | February 15, 2010 9:40 PM