Drew McIntyre-Teddy Long segments highlights Smackdown
On the final Smackdown before Sunday’s Fatal Fourway pay-per-view, a strong segment with Drew McIntyre and general manager Teddy Long made more of an impression than anything on Friday night’s show involving the four participants in Sunday’s world heavyweight title match.
The setup was that Long either had to go through with a match against McIntyre or he would be fired by Vince McMahon. McIntyre gave Long a chance to get out of the match, but to do so Long had to get down on his knees, refer to McIntyre as “the chosen one,” and then allow McIntyre to pin him.
Even after Long did all that, McIntyre was still going to get physical with him anyway, but Kofi Kingston and Matt Hardy made the save. McIntyre had a bunch of security guys at ringside for just such a situation, and he proceeded to beat down Kingston and Hardy while security held them. McIntyre then hit his Future Shock DDT on both guys in the ring.
That segment went a long way in getting McIntyre’s heat back after his less-than-stellar win-loss record as of late. He was brilliantly evil as he taunted and bullied Long, who also put on an excellent performance, as he portrayed fear and humiliation very realistically. Long comes across as a genuinely likable guy, so the fans really hated McIntyre for his treatment of him.
Now that WWE has rehabilitated McIntyre’s character, I hope the company doesn’t drop the ball on his push going forward.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
Prior to the McIntyre-Long segment, clips of the history between the two were shown, which was a nice touch as far as getting the confrontation over as something important. …
The main event tag team match involving the competitors in the fatal fourway world heavyweight title match was good, as Rey Mysterio and The Big Show defeated Jack Swagger and CM Punk. Mysterio pinned Swagger for the second straight week. I really hate that WWE is making Swagger so beatable, but on the bright side, if WWE booking trends hold true, Swagger will retain the championship at the pay-per-view. The move that Mysterio used to beat Swagger was cool, as he countered the gutwrench powerbomb and turned it into a double-arm backslide slam. …
I liked how all of the guys in the fatal fourway – even the babyfaces – attacked Kane in the opening segment after he had laid them all out last week. Kane got the last laugh at the end of the show, however, when he again took out all four of them. He then referenced the attack on The Undertaker and said that Sunday would be a “fatal night for the guilty party.” I really hope Kane isn’t the one behind the attack. …
Was there really anyone who didn’t know that it was Luke Gallows disguised as The Undertaker in the opening segment? By the way, we know that The Undertaker can mysteriously appear in the ring out of thin air because he has supernatural powers, but how was Gallows able to pull it off? …
Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins were impressive in their victory over Christian and MVP. It probably surprised some that two established stars such as Christian and MVP lost to two lesser-known guys, but for Archer and Hawkins to be taken seriously as a tag team, they have to defeat two wrestlers who aren’t a regular team. …
The Dolph Ziggler-Chris Masters match (which Ziggler won) was short but decent. As opposed to Ziggler’s pants during his funny backstage segment with Vickie Guerrero, which were short but indecent. Masters’ facial expression when he walked in on Guerrero ogling Ziggler in his jean shorts and tool belt was tremendous. …
Kelly Kelly’s non-title win over WWE women’s champion Layla was entertaining. Before the match, Michelle McCool nearly fell while attempting the spin move on the ramp that Lay-Cool does while wearing high heels. …
The backstage segment with Lay-Cool and Rosa Mendes seemed to indicate that Mendes is turning babyface. …
What was the JTG-Chavo Guerrero match doing on Smackdown instead of Superstars?
Comments
Kevin, your instincts about Swagger retaining the title look to be correct as WWE is advertising the World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger in various matches all around Australia in early August.
Posted by: Evan | June 20, 2010 3:49 PM
I really hate that WWE is making Swagger so beatable...
I agree, but what about making Big Show so unbeatable? If he's going to dominate everybody he faces, week after week, why am I supposed to care about any of his matches?
Posted by: Stephen | June 20, 2010 4:18 PM
When Undertaker (Luke) appeared, he did so without the GONG. dead giveaway for me. The gong woulda had me really thinking. Punks mask has me laughing immediatly when he appears. Unfortunatly, hes not as evil with the mask, but still a joy to watch. Liking Swagger, and I told Diva Daughter the same thing. Lose on TV, win PPV. Classic angle. So what?? is Kane gonna beat up himself. This angle is completly silly. My real Question is....why do the NXT 1st year guys, continue to always wear their trunks and no shirt?? That is pure comedy. They get fired, but when they reek havoc, its always in gear? NXT is a solid middle to Raw and Smackdown. Somehow story lines seem to go thru NXT. Quite a fresh angle!
Sad Fathers Day, missing first PPV since WM25. I'm depending on you Kev. Today, you are my lifeline to the WWE!
Posted by: Lon | June 20, 2010 4:33 PM
show was a snore.
Posted by: Tom in Belfast | June 20, 2010 4:35 PM
"By the way, we know that The Undertaker can mysteriously appear in the ring out of thin air because he has supernatural powers, but how was Gallows able to pull it off?"
You're not questioning the powers of the Straight Edge Society are you? :)
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | June 20, 2010 5:06 PM
I gotta say that I don't think WWE really ever did drop the ball on McIntyre, Kev. I think that his seeming demise and return has worked really well. You only needed to hear the amount of heat was getting from the crowd as he came out, the monumental chorus of booing could have rivalled the drones of the vuvuzela's. This was in no small part due to the video packages, i'll admit, but I would argue that WWE have done a really good job at turning a mid level heel who had some potential to become a top card heel, into a guy who's current heat would seem at almost a parallel with some of the biggest heels in the game.
On a side note, I was just wondering if I could get your thoughts on Batista's recent comments that his departure from WWE wasn't just about a career move, and that it was in some part to do with the current PG rating? Also did you hear about the double tapings of raw? sounds like great value for money if you've got a ticket to one of those shows.
Posted by: Nick Jolley | June 20, 2010 5:47 PM
"What was the JTG-Chavo Guerrero match doing on Smackdown instead of MAIN EVENTING THE PPV?"
Fixed that for ya.
Posted by: Ken Raining | June 20, 2010 7:14 PM
I find it interesting the a storyline of a lecherous, sleazy boss sexually harassing a young employee is considered appropriate for PG programming.
Would the same storyline be allowed on air now if it was Vince McMahon in Vicky's role and Kelly Kelly in Ziggler's? Not a chance.
Posted by: John | June 21, 2010 7:16 PM