Smackdown keeps it simple for SummerSlam go-home show
Solid but not spectacular is the best way to describe Friday night’s Smackdown, which was the final episode of the show before today’s SummerSlam pay-per-view.
Unlike Raw this past Monday, which featured a show-long story line focusing on the turmoil within Team WWE and concluded with an in-ring showdown between them and The Nexus that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Smackdown did not have any such fireworks.
Instead, WWE took a basic approach and mixed and matched the four competitors participating in the two Smackdown singles matches at SummerSlam. In non-title matches, we had world heavyweight champion Kane facing Kofi Kingston, and Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler going against Rey Mysterio.
In addition, Smackdown had interesting match-ups involving talent that is not scheduled to appear at SummerSlam, as Drew McIntyre took on Matt Hardy, Cody Rhodes faced Christian and Jack Swagger wrestled MVP.
So while this show didn’t blow me away and probably didn’t get anyone more excited for SummerSlam than they already were, it was an enjoyable program with decent wrestling matches. Smackdown clearly does not have the star power of Raw, but I really like makeup of the Smackdown roster, as it has a number of guys on their way up as well as underrated veterans who can work.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
The Mysterio-Ziggler match (which Mysterio won) was good, but it was not at the level of the matches they had together last year when Ziggler was challenging for Mysterio’s Intercontinental title. …
I was a little surprised to see Kane score a clean victory over Kingston. I figured WWE would keep Kingston strong heading into his Intercontinental title match against Ziggler at SummerSlam and book a disqualification or something along those lines. …
It was nice to see Swagger back on the show this week and that he didn’t drown in the Gulf of Mexico two weeks ago. It wasn’t a triumphant return, however, as he got pinned by MVP, who hasn’t exactly been on a roll as of late. I like both of these guys, so I don’t know whether to be happy that MVP got back in the win column or sad that Swagger lost to a guy who has been buried. I hope WWE hasn’t given up on Swagger being a top guy. …
Rhodes is clearly being “groomed” for a higher spot on the card. Christian, the man he defeated this week, not so much. Christian at least had an “out” for the loss, as he was wrestling with a bad shoulder and Rhodes took advantage of it. …
McIntyre got a convincing win over Hardy, which makes up for the jobs that McIntyre has done to him in the past. It was one of those deals in which Hardy looked courageous in defeat, as he refused to quit after injuring his ankle during the match. I thought it was a nice touch when Hardy appeared to have blood on his sock after he removed his boot following the spot in which McIntyre stomped the steps on his ankle. Matt Striker pointed it out, saying, “You can see the injury seeping through.” …
OK, if no one is going to say it, I will: Vickie Guerrero has been looking pretty good lately. She isn’t a swimsuit model, but she’s not an unattractive 42-year-old woman. She has clearly lost weight, so it looks as if the WWE writers are going to have come up with new ways to have babyfaces insult her other than making fat jokes. …
When Mysterio again accused Kane of attacking The Undertaker, Kane repeatedly mouthed, “I would never hurt my brother.” Well, at least not in the past five or six years. What made Kane’s statement even funnier was that I just watched a Raw episode from April 1998 on WWE On Demand that was building up a pay-per-view match between the “brothers” in which the object was to set your opponent on fire. …
The Big Show squashing three jobbers in a handicap match reminded me of the ’70s and early ’80s when Andre The Giant would do the same thing on WWE’s syndicated shows. The only difference was that Big Show didn’t do Andre’s “butt bump in the corner” spot. …
More greatness from CM Punk: As the Straight Edge Society stood on the stage after Big Show’s match, Luke Gallows began cutting a promo. Punk quickly cut him off and said, “Wait, a second. Who gave you a microphone? Give me that. If I wanted you to address him, I would have told you to address him.” …
It would be nice at some point of it was explained – even if it’s just in passing – why Joey Mercury joined the SES. …
I have been bored by most of the Alberto Del Rio vignettes, but the compilation that aired this week wasn’t bad at all. It was announced that he will finally make his debut next week. Hopefully he has a better match in his TV debut that Kizarny did a while back.
Comments
I am excited to see Alberto Del Rio FINALLY make his SmackDown debut, especially after I learned the other day that he is the nephew of legendary luchador Mil Mascaras.
Posted by: Matthew | August 15, 2010 10:06 AM
Kev,
I usually agree with much of what you say, however, today you're 0 for 2. First, I have never liked Swagger and I find him totally anoying. Next, there is NO WAY that Vicki Guerrero can, or wil, EEEEEEEVER look the least bit attractive. Finally, what do you know about this Del Rio guy.
Posted by: Magnificent Mark | August 15, 2010 11:10 AM
I almost fell a sleep watching SmackDown the crowd was not into it earthier. This PG format just is not working for me. TNA has better matches than this crap.
Posted by: ryan | August 15, 2010 11:11 AM
My results:Randy orton will walk out of summerslam as the wwe champion.Undertaker would probably interfere the match between kane and rey mysterio and cause the world championship.Team wwe will beat the nexus and make a statement.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 15, 2010 11:25 AM
"I figured WWE would keep Kingston strong heading into his Intercontinental title match against Ziggler at SummerSlam and book a disqualification or something along those lines. …"
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I much prefer what happened as I hate inconclusive finishes. Losing to the World Heavyweight Champion shouldn't adversely affect Kingston's legitimacy as a challenger to a lesser title. A brand's world champ is supposed to be the best on the show, after all.
Posted by: Christopher | August 15, 2010 1:16 PM
I think you've been catching a few too many fumes from the printing press Kev. The only thing that can remotely justify your Vickie Guerrero statement is the amount of cleavege that was on show at the start of Smackdown, but each unto their own I suppose.
I'm gonna say something which I imagine will invoke a bit of controversy, but feckit. I'm really beginning to get bored of the SES. I'm not sure why, but I just get the feeling that it's time for this whole group to implode. I still enjoy Punk on the mic, but I find myself almost frustrated whenever they appear. I think it's just because of how insignificant gallows, mercury and serena are constantly portrayed. It's either time for them to put up or break up.
Posted by: Nick Jolley | August 15, 2010 1:29 PM
I'll also say solid Smackdown but indeed there was actually no real build-up for their matches except for Show-SES.
Big Show squashing and SES...oops sorry, CM punk promo was awesome.
I'll had a bit the same question in my mind after the MVP-Swagger match. Is MVP getting a push or Swagger being buried?
Posted by: KnightKIJ | August 15, 2010 5:05 PM
Rhodes' gimmick is cool because it's old school. There was a section of the crowd chanting for him.
I laughed when Christian dared to hit Rhodes in the face and Striker shouted "Disqualify him!"
& yes Vicky is a hot mama. She could definitely interfere in my match!
Posted by: Jules B. | August 16, 2010 2:51 AM
So glad Rhodes went over. I was expecting the even-steven booking that gets nobody anywhere.
Posted by: TJ | August 17, 2010 3:54 PM