A cruel Twist of Fate for Drew McIntyre on Smackdown
The feud between Drew McIntyre and Smackdown general manager Teddy Long took another interesting turning on Smackdown Friday night, as McIntyre was sent packing – not just out of WWE but out of the country.
With Vince McMahon incapacitated due to the injuries he suffered at the hands of the NXT Seven on Raw Monday, Long’s authority on Smackdown is now absolute and McIntyre no longer has any friends in high places (even Smackdown consultant Vickie Guerrero indicated that she doesn’t like him). Long wasted no time in re-instating the suspended Matt Hardy and booking him in a match against McIntyre.
Not only did McIntyre lose the match, but to add insult to injury, Long announced afterward that McIntyre’s visa had expired and he was being sent back to Scotland. I didn’t see that one coming.
The McIntyre-Long program – which has featured Hardy and Kofi Kingston as McIntyre’s in-ring adversaries – has been the most entertaining stuff on any wrestling show week in and week out, in my opinion. It also has succeeded in getting the crowd to care about McIntyre. Even though he has frequently come out on the losing end of things as of late, McIntyre now has legitimate heat, and that’s something he did not have when he was winning all the time.
I’m curious to see where things go from here. Hopefully, McIntyre will get a main-event-level push when he makes his inevitable return.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
The Hardy-McIntyre match told a good story, as McIntyre dominated the action but grew more and more frustrated with his inability to put Hardy away. Finally, the never-say-die Hardy hit the Twist of Fate out of nowhere for the victory. There were some cool spots in the match, including McIntyre hitting a modified Michinoku Driver off the ropes, and McIntyre taking a hard back bump on the ring steps after Hardy tripped him to block McIntyre’s attempt at stomping on his head. McIntyre’s tantrum after Long had him removed from the arena was great, too. …
Long and Guerrero announced at the top of the show that they will be evaluating the talent in the upcoming weeks to determine the eight participants in Smackdown’s Money in the Bank ladder match at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on July 18. It’s interesting that WWE isn’t doing qualifying matches, but I like this idea because it means the wrestlers will be pulling out all the stops to impress Long and Guerrero. …
Jack Swagger got his heat back (if he ever really had any, that is) after losing the world heavyweight title at last Sunday’s Fatal Fourway pay-per-view by displaying a vicious side in his match against The Big Show. Swagger was disqualified for refusing to release an ankle lock submission hold after Big Show made it to the ropes. Big Show did a fantastic job of selling that he was in tremendous pain, and while Swagger technically did not win the match, he was put over strong. The finish made sense, as Swagger had said before the match that he was getting a rematch for the title against new world champion Rey Mysterio at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, and all he was concerned about now was making people suffer. …
Speaking of Mysterio, it was odd not to have him on the first show after he won the title. He was advertised to appear on next week’s show. …
When Swagger hooked on the ankle lock, he did so by countering Big Show’s chokeslam attempt and rolling through it ala Kurt Angle. That was a nice spot. ...
The Kane-CM Punk anything-goes main event consisted mostly of Kane beating up Punk, Luke Gallows and the masked man. Punk ended up running out of the building to escape Kane. The sight of a masked guy in wrestling gear running across the street was pretty funny. Punk, by the way, denied that the Straight Edge Society had anything to do with the attack on The Undertaker. …
The six-man match in which Christian, Kofi Kingston and MVP defeated Dolph Ziggler, Vane Archer and Curt Hawkins was entertaining. I was disappointed at first when Ziggler did the job to Christian, as I was hoping that Ziggler would pin Kingston to set up an Intercontinental title program between the two. However, the finish made sense when Ziggler went to Guerrero after the match and asked her to book him in an Intercontinental title match in the future even though he just lost. Getting an underserved title shot because of his relationship with Guerrero gets more heat on Ziggler. …
I loved Guerrero’s response after Ziggler said that he wanted some gold. “I gave you a gold chain,” she said. “I thought you liked that.” …
I had no idea why Rosa Mendes was jumping rope before her match against Kelly Kelly until it was explained in commentary that she was trying to get in shape so that Lay-Cool would want her to join the group. I still don’t know why Kelly Kelly was jumping rope after the match, but I think that she should be required to do so after all of her matches. …
Cody Rhodes handled himself well on the mic, although his promo probably did go a tad too long. I’m not sure “Dashing” Cody Rhodes is a money moniker. …
Alberto Del Rio was introduced in a vignette in which he talked about being the only honest man (I thought that was Chris Jericho). The gimmick reminded me of Salvatore Sincere. That’s not a compliment by the way. Del Rio was a star in Mexico as the masked Dos Caras Jr. I wish WWE would have kept the mask on him and put him in a program with Mysterio.







Comments
Hey K.E. why don't talk little more about TNA did see that skit between Rick Flair and Jay Lethal that funny his since Hulk Hogan came on his career took off. And Abyss. guess who back together Tommy Dreamer , Raven, Stevie Richards.
Posted by: ryan | June 26, 2010 7:36 PM
The single most unbelievable thing that I've ever seen or heard in wrestling is that John Cena finished #2 in a poll of "handsomest wrestler".
Posted by: Ken Raining | June 26, 2010 8:48 PM
Hey Kev, on a side note. Do you think the new Raw GM could be J.B.L?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't think so.
Posted by: Orton.1 | June 26, 2010 8:58 PM
I have been waiting a long time to see something bad happening to Drew McInTyre. At least Matt Hardy was the winner of the last match before Drew was fired.
Posted by: Bloop | June 26, 2010 9:01 PM
K.E. why are so high on Drew Mcintyre no one in WWE likes him you know before he got there he was stooge to Vince getting coffe. Now Jack Swagger had great story line he was going destroy everyone and he did taking out the Big Show with the Angle Lock.
Posted by: ryan | June 26, 2010 9:34 PM
Umm, what kind of fan doesn't even know how to spell the name of the greatest wrestler to ever grace the squared circle?
Posted by: Joe | June 26, 2010 9:53 PM
I don't agree that the McIntyre program is particularly entertaining. I do agree, however, that Big Show did a great job of selling his injury this week—and that's from a guy who would just as soon not see Big Show on TV at all until SummerSlam.
Posted by: Stephen | June 26, 2010 10:09 PM
I kept waiting and waiting for this show to get entertaining, but it never really did. I'm tired of the McIntyre/Hardy feud (though seeing them actually wrestle was good, even if the match wasn't that great). The Jack Swagger/Big Show match was alright, but any singles match with the Big Show just seems like a parody of wrestling at this point. And the next time that I see a good, entertaining six-man tag team match, it will be the first.
But the Kane/Straight Edge Society match was the worst. Somehow we are expected to believe that Kane can hold off THREE wrestlers, including a guy who was less than a week ago in a title match?
And if this really is "the end of the straight edge society" as the announcers told us, it was a bust without ever getting the satisfaction of seeing CM Punk demasked.
I'm usually not one to say this... but it was one of the worst Smackdowns that I have ever seen.
Posted by: Matt | June 26, 2010 10:30 PM
Dude Kev, some of the people that comment really need to work on their English.
Posted by: Pat Coyne | June 26, 2010 10:37 PM
WWE has done a good job of keeping the NXT mastermind and Raw GM quit we may know Monday Night or i think most likely Money In The Bank or SummerSlam.
Posted by: ryan | June 26, 2010 10:48 PM
Hey Joe i did not mean to spell Ric Flair's name wrong i was typing to fast. Your right i should not have done that to the Nature Boy .
Posted by: ryan | June 26, 2010 11:07 PM
Hey KE: Raw GM - Daniel Bryan?
Posted by: Steve | June 26, 2010 11:44 PM
In response to the one guy, JBL isn't the GM,its Abraham Washington...he's aligned with Nexus. Former FCW GM...knows all the FCW talent...motivation from ECW being cancelled...It's time for the Abraham Washington Show....
RESPONSE FROM KE: I think you may have something there.
Posted by: nathan | June 27, 2010 12:30 AM
I DON'T think Big Show did a good job of selling his injury. At first I think he did, by falling over in pain when he tried to stand on it. But then, he tried to stand on it again, and fell again. OK... When he tried to stand on it a third time, only to fall once more, I couldn't help but to laugh. He went from angry giant to dumb oaf in the matter of about a minute.
Posted by: Phillip Reynolds | June 27, 2010 1:12 AM
After doing a little research. I'd say the move McIntyre hit from the top rope was a Teradrive or a super sitout hip toss...just saying. I sound like a mark now....darn.
Posted by: J.C. | June 27, 2010 1:44 AM
The 'visa' excuse was really nice because it was unexpected, creative and promising for Drew's career. It is almost certain that he will bounce back. I like that NXT Rookies made an unwanted victim as their attack resulted in Drew's firing. Rumours says he wanted a leave for marriage purposes...
The Kane-SES match was not bad but I'm disappointed as I thought that Kane will present a proof against SES. If this was the case, SES will have get much heel as Undertaker's destroyers and Kane will also have heat from the fans. It will have established Kane's push. Kev, I know that you (& I) do not like it but as no proof of attacking Punk at F4Way was presented, maybe it was Kane himself and you know the rest...
Jack Swagger turning the chokeslam into an Ankle Lock as indeed very Kurt Angle-like.
It reminds me though when Batista returned to Smackdown last year; he also applied the Ankle Lock into Show before Jericho intervened to disqualify Big Show. You said that Big Show was selling an injury but due to his huge size, perhaps he really has an Ankle problem. It is a mere suggestion due to the ressembling facts.
I am surprised that Rhodes won this 'contest' despite the likes of Cena, Orton, Morrisson, Miz....and besides, his moniker is a disaster.
Posted by: KnightKIJ | June 27, 2010 3:03 AM
I'm intrigued to see Del Rio in the ring, but after one vignette, the character doesn't do much for me. I also think it's interesting, we used to get a lot of these series of vignettes to introduce guys and a couple of months later they'd debut. We haven't really seen this since NXT started and it'll be interesting to see if they address why 8 newcomers have to compete on a show to earn a WWE contract while Alberto Del Rio automatically gets a job.
Posted by: Rob | June 27, 2010 3:13 AM
“Dashing” Cody Rhodes was fantastic, and his rookie is my favorite by far, i loved the dusty rodes reference.
am i wrong, or do i remember this exact same 'diva's pole' being used to elevate orton ages ago (when he had longish hair?
so are we certain now on who the masked man in SES is? his body is well ripped
Posted by: Mike L | June 27, 2010 3:35 AM
I've seen the next big star and he's DASHING....DASHING...
Posted by: Luke | June 27, 2010 10:01 AM
Kevin,
Do you like how Punk and the S.E.S. are being portrayed lately? With all the losses, Punk and crew look weak. He deserves better. Where is the S.E.S. headed anyway? Any thoughts?
Posted by: Holden | June 27, 2010 10:17 AM
hey kevin,
Rey Mysterio was given time off on this taping on Tuesday because he was taking a vacation with his family. I thought it was nice WWE let him take a vacation. He is a great worker
Posted by: Chris | June 27, 2010 11:18 AM
K.E., Am I the only one who doesn't like the idea for this ppv. The money in the bank is a one time special event at Wrestlemania and now it has been diminished to a ppv gimmick. I hate it as much as the Fatal-4 way concept. I like having the ppv's not necessarily have a certain match stipulation. For example, I love the Survior Series matches and the Royal Rumble, but good god. I think everybody in their right mind when they heard it was a Fatal-4 Way went "Cena, Sheamus and Edge and Orton's obligatory ppv appearance." Can we please go back to the old ppv system?
Posted by: Nick M. | June 27, 2010 11:55 AM
Hey Kevin do the think the Raw GM is HBK or someone on the outside of the WWE .Or is it Shane McMahon.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 27, 2010 2:13 PM
I thought McIntyre and Hardy put on a great match and stole the show.
I was also happy with the finish to the Swagger vs. Show match, not only because it made Swagger look dangerous, but because a babyface actually tapped out for once--after making it to the ropes and with his opponent refusing to break the hold, yes, but it's better than nothing. IMO, faces don't look weak if they tap out; they look human. They also look smart, since the consequences of NOT tapping is having your opponent break your leg and winding up on the shelf, thus the smart thing to do is tap out so that you'll be injury free and able to challenge your to a rematch ASAP.
So now we know how this MITB pay-per-view will work; two matches, one for each brand, with each contract only good for that brand's title. For Smackdown, I'm hoping that either Kofi Kingston or Christian will win it. Kofi is more than qualified to be a world champion, and WWE needs to create new main eventers to replace guys who are inevitably going to either retire or slow down, like HHH, HBK, Taker, Batista, Show, Jericho, Edge, and Mysterio. While Christian might be approaching retirement age himself, I'd enjoy seeing him have a world title run because A) he can still put on great matches and B) he's paid his dues, given a lot to WWE and its fans, and therefore has deserved it for a long time.
I was surprised to see Vickie take Long's side against Drew as well. I wonder if there's any possibility of WWE turning her face. I actually hope so, because sometimes I feel sorry for the woman behind the character, and wonder how she's able to just shrug off all of the humiliation and derogatory comments about her appearance that accompany her heel status. (Okay, she's no supermodel, but she's not Medusa or anything...)
Posted by: Rob Brown | June 27, 2010 5:39 PM
I couldn't be any less interested in this McIntyre/Long/Hardy program. And I hate to say this - the weak link in all of this is Matt Hardy. I think I'm just done rooting for the guy. After nothing happening for so long, you tend to always expect nothing. I expect nothing from Matt Hardy. Hopefully, Kofi can distance himself from this scenario and move on. Speaking of Kofi - what about a heel turn? I know he's mega over, but he's as vanilla as they come. Just a thought.
Posted by: mattyd | June 27, 2010 6:38 PM
There is alot of information about WWE Which i love
Posted by: Anonymous | June 27, 2010 7:41 PM
"Dashing" is the best they could come up with? Wouldn't "Handsome" Code Rhodes make more sense (and sound somewhat more buyable)? Feh.
Posted by: FLOW | June 27, 2010 11:24 PM
"The sight of a masked guy in wrestling gear running across the street was pretty funny."
I agree but it would have been even funnier if Punk had run onto a waiting city bus.
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | June 28, 2010 1:19 AM
When Cody Rhodes announced that he wanted to be henceforth known as "Dashing" Cody Rhodes, it reminded me of growing up in Long Island, NY in the 1960's. Then, the local commuter rail road, the LIRR, had an illustration of a running executive they called "Dashing Dan"as a logo.
Rob Brown, I wouldn't count on Batista doing anything with the WWE I saw him interviewed on TMZ, and he said that he is done with the WWE, and he is going to become an MMA fighter. So, apparently, when he said "I quit" on Smackdown a few weeks ago, that wasn't a work, it was for real.
As for McIntyre, if his visa is truly expired, he has to, by law, go back to Scotland to renew it,
Posted by: Jonathan | June 28, 2010 4:02 AM
Is there any point at all to the mystery masked member of the SES? His initial run ins helped Punk out but now he just gets his butt kicked every week. It's not like there is even any on air intrigue or debate about who is under the mask so i really don't understand what the point of the character is.
As many people have stated it's Mercury under the hood is there a chance the WWE are trialing him anonymously to make sure he can be on the road and stay clean? This way if he screws up they can do away with him easily (both in terms of storyline and avoiding real life press reactions to enabling him).
Posted by: Big Dave | June 28, 2010 6:30 AM
I think Hardy is just being used to get Drew over. I would not get overly excited if I was Matt. Soon he will be in the back of the pack so the younger guys can get more tv time. If Matt could have ever been world champion that day has long since past.
Posted by: mat | June 28, 2010 8:07 AM
So the WWE wont let Daniel Bryan fight for choking a guy with a tie yet they let an illegal alien fight for the company.
Linda McMahons opponents are going to have a field day with this...
LOL
Posted by: HiMyNameIsMike | June 28, 2010 9:29 AM
Btw I was at the event last week and the heat for him isnt as big as you would think. I really like Mcintyre but I honeslty think a lot of people are just really bored with this guy.
Honestly you have a program with Mr. McMahon, have a title belt, get to boss around the GM, have programs with Morrison and Kofi, and Hardy and the crowd is falling asleep for your matches. Like I said Im a huge fan of Mcintrye but I dont know how long WWE will stick with this guy...
Posted by: HiMyNameIsMIke | June 28, 2010 9:33 AM
the obly reason i watch smackdown is beause of drew mc intyre mow they have got rid of him I will stop watching smackown
Posted by: jordan | June 28, 2010 5:49 PM
Props to you Ryan, Slow down on the keys, it doesn't have to be a race my friend.
Posted by: joe | June 28, 2010 7:39 PM
what's the bet dat ziggler in money in da bank
Posted by: damo | June 29, 2010 9:22 PM