In-ring action is highlight of Smackdown
I really enjoyed the wrestling portion of Smackdown Friday night, as the show featured three good matches ranging in length from 13 to 20 minutes.
The best (and longest) of them was the main event, a two-out-of-three falls contest between Rey Mysterio and Jack Swagger that determined who is getting the title shot against world heavyweight champion Kane at SummerSlam on Aug. 15. Mysterio and Swagger really work well together, which is impressive considering the vast size disparity (Swagger is more than a foot taller and around 100 pounds heavier).
The other two matches that impressed me were the non-title bout between Intercontinental champion Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler and the tag-team contest that pitted Drew McIntyre and “Dashing” Cody Rhodes against Christian and Matt Hardy.
As I have said before, Raw may have more star power, but Smackdown has an impressive roster of guys who can go in the ring. It’s exciting watching rising stars such as Swagger, Kingston, McIntyre, Ziggler and Rhodes – none of whom are even 30 yet – getting an opportunity to shine.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
I was expecting Kane to come out during the third fall of the Mysterio-Swagger match and chokeslam both guys to make the match a no-decision. I figured that would lead to the revelation that Kane was the one who injured The Undertaker, thus setting up a match between the “brothers” at SummerSlam. Mysterio beat Swagger to earn the title shot, however, so it appears that we’re not getting Kane-Undertaker at the pay-per-view. My money still is on Kane being behind the attack. …
I’m not big on Kane being world champion at this stage of his career, but I do have to give him credit for his performances as of late. He cut another good promo to open the show (although I could have done without the cheesy mood music), and his facial expressions were great when he attacked Mysterio after Mysterio’s win over Swagger. I also thought it was a nice touch (as well as a foreshadowing of his heel turn) that Kane initially made nice with Mysterio before returning seconds later to ambush him. …
As much as I enjoyed the Mysterio-Swagger match, it didn’t make sense to me that Mysterio would have to beat a guy that he has defeated on the past two pay-per-views to get a world title rematch against Kane. I’m curious to see what’s next for Swagger now that he’s out of the world title picture. …
I was very pleased that Ziggler defeated Kingston to presumably set up an Intercontinental title match between the two at SummerSlam. Kingston’s “out” for the loss is that he was wrestling with a bad neck coming off last Sunday’s Money in the Bank ladder match. …
The finish to the tag match that saw McIntyre and Rhodes defeat Christian and Hardy was well done. As Hardy was checking on Christian after accidentally punching him, McIntyre landed a big boot to Hardy’s face for the win. So the tension between Christian and Hardy continues. It looks as if Christian may be turning heel, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. …
Joey Mercury was finally revealed to be the mysterious Straight Edge Society member, as he was unmasked while getting squashed by The Big Show. Just like CM Punk’s unmasking last week, there was no buildup to it. I hope Mercury gets an opportunity to cut a promo about why he joined the SES. His real-life drug issues are well-documented, but what isn’t common knowledge is that Punk legitimately helped Mercury through some tough times. The danger in telling that story, however, is that it could make Punk’s character come off like a babyface. …
Rhodes’ grooming tips segment in which he demonstrated the proper way to trim nose hair was so silly that it was funny. Remember: Always be careful not to touch the mucous membrane. Words of wisdom. …
I’m officially bored with the Alberto Del Rio vignettes. I’m ready to see him in action.
Comments
"Dashing" Cody Rhodes, in a one-horse open sleigh, over the fields we go, laughing all the way...
Posted by: Matthew | July 25, 2010 12:41 PM
im definitely ready to see del rio wrestle as well. hes got the look and charisma to be a big star, now we need to see if he can bring it in ring
Posted by: nash | July 25, 2010 1:11 PM
Smackdown is starting to remind me of TNA- boring main eventers who went out of style a decade ago and good in ring performances from young talent but very little in terms of intriguing storylines. Assuming Kofi/Ziggler happens at SS and Christian and Hardy feud takes place (ZZZ), where does that leave the like of Swagger, McIntyre, and Rhodes? And who the hell did MVP piss off this time? Since Laycool is probably the most entertaining thing on SD right now, I assume creative will probably split them up soon. Hopefully this poor scripting and lack of good, lengthy programs will change once the move to SyFy takes place.
Posted by: at12571 | July 25, 2010 2:00 PM
What? No blog about Lucha Libre USA:Masked Warriors?
Posted by: Andre the Midget | July 25, 2010 2:17 PM
That was a good Smackdown.. just like RAW. I was actually surprised to hear the announers talk about Joey Mercury used to be in the WWE
Posted by: cowboysmb3dw28 | July 25, 2010 2:53 PM
Oh and Matt Striker said Randy Johnon is the tallest player in MLB history.. actually Jon Rauch, the Twins closer for now with Joe Nathan gone for the year, is taller than Johnson
Posted by: cowboysmb3dw28 | July 25, 2010 2:58 PM
For me, the problem with the Alberto Del Rio vignettes isn't that I'm bored with them. It's the "once bitten, twice shy" problem—after I watched a whole bunch of Kizarny vignettes and got excited for the character, he made one or two appearances on Smackdown and then was never heard from again. Why should I care about any new character's vignettes after that debacle?
Posted by: Stephen | July 25, 2010 3:21 PM
There's no way Kane vs. Mysterio is strong enough for SummerSlam - I have to imagine somehow Swagger gets involved and makes it a triple threat.
Posted by: Sam | July 25, 2010 4:25 PM
since the wwe is pushing del rio so hard with all those vignettes, any chance he's behind the undertaker attack?
Posted by: The Natural | July 26, 2010 6:18 AM
Kevin,
What's the over/under that Del Rio, after this many vignettes, lasts longer than Kizarny.
Posted by: Andrew V | July 26, 2010 8:07 AM
If Christian is indeed turning heel, I would love to see a return of the Edge/Christian Tag Team!
Posted by: Rob Rumpke | July 26, 2010 10:36 AM
I've fast forwarded through every single Del Rio vignette so far, and will continue to do so. I'm completely uninterested in him.
Also, is it just me or are the vignettes getting longer and longer? Either that, or my DVR isn't FF'ing as quickly as it used to.
Posted by: Don | July 26, 2010 4:16 PM
Mysterio works well with anyone who can keep their nose away from his knee brace buckle.
I think Mysterio should be the attacker, for the irony of it if nothing else. He can be an Eddie Gurerro type heel for awhile. Then he can take a really big beating from the Undertaker followed by the time off he needs to take care of his legit injuries.
Kane's title reign seems to parallel the late career title reigns of JBL and Tommy Dreamer. A turn at the top as they start to wind their careers down. All three of these guys were good, steady performers over the long haul and I think all three reigns were/are deserved. I've been a Kane mark for awhile and I'm enjoying this.
Posted by: Mike | July 26, 2010 8:02 PM
I absolutely loved Smackdown, as you were spot-on Kevin, this show was highlighted by 3 excellent long matches. This is what I want in a wrestling show, 3 great matches, and a good promo or two, maybe a backstage interview or a vignette like Cody Rhodes did. Everything made sense, and was logical, and nothing was crazy or overbooked. Smackdown sells wrestling, and makes you believe that wins and losses mean something. I've said this before, but TNA should take note, and instead of signing Paul Heyman, they should steal away Micheal Hayes instead to book.
I also was thinking how guys like Swagger and Sheamus should be thrilled with their push at such a young age. Guys like Edge,and Rey Mysterio had to wrestle forever to get main event pushes, and by the time they got there they were already broken down and on the other side in terms of injuries. Swagger and Sheamus are already there, and I am loving this Kurt Angle like vibe that they've given Swagger, where one week he's funny, and the next he's a serious killer athlete.
Posted by: Nick Rini | July 26, 2010 8:43 PM
What about the handshake with Matt Hardy and Christian?
Posted by: Hank | July 27, 2010 4:58 PM