Reviewing the 5/20/11 episode of Friday Night Smackdown…
1. After seeing footage of John Cena saying “I quit” even though he was saying The Miz will say it, really makes me think that line will be used against him at the PPV. It would be a rehash of The Rock vs. Mankind(Mick Foley) from Royal Rumble 1999, but otherwise even if it’s attempted and unsuccessful it still might add drama/intrigue to an otherwise very predictable match.
2. Before I bag on The Bella twins for their somewhat robotic mic skills, at least WWE is trying to give them a chance to talk. They were looking hot with their dominatrix type outfits, but as much as I was impressed by Brie’s improvement in the ring since I last saw her wrestle, there is absolutely NO way I will buy she could defeat Dungeon Graduate Natalya(Neidhart), especially without help from her sister, Nikki or cheating. That’s what makes a joke out of the Divas division right there.
3. Speaking of robotic mic skills, WWE could stand to put Mr. Ezekiel Jackson through a thousand more promos before letting him talk again. He’s never going to sound as intimidating as he should, especially with his Guyanese accent, but considering the man is a beast he sounds more like a teddy bear. Or rather he actually sounds like Hank McCoy the real Marvel Universe’s Beast.
4. With the very obvious increase in volume in the referees microphones we’ll still get to hear new referee and former WWE & ECW superstar Nunzio/Little Guido talk as he tells the superstars to play by the rules every week. All in his NY Italian accent. Great to see Guido back. Although I wish the F.B.I. could have stuck around on IMPACT WRESTLING as a tag team.
5. Alright there are two storyline possibilities or conclusions I have come to as to why there was a trampoline at ringside during a very entertaining, but short Daniel Bryan vs. Chavo Guerrero match:
a. The trampoline was under the ring and as soon as the music hit for him to come down to the ring for the save, Hornswoggle pushes the trampoline out just in the nick of time
or
b. WWE would have us believe that Sin Cara can really leap or fly that high and there is no trampoline.
6. I like what WWE is trying to do for Ted Dibiase by pairing him with Cody Rhodes. Ted’s career really needs a shot in the arm and riding off of Cody’s success might not be a bad thing. Their paper bag bit can work in any town, state or country and hopefully it’ll get Ted a chance to talk more. I still think WWE might be falling short by not taking advantage of his lineage and really pushing Ted over the top as an annoying spoiled rich kid or rich man. Perhaps in time if he can get even remotely near his Dad’s level on the mic, they might try it again one day. Right now Cody is excelling on the mic and has embraced his gimmick. I have to give him props for really breaking out as a heel since the conversion from the Dashing gimmick to the “gargoyle” he is now.
7. In having confidence in Smackdown’s writing team, they have taken two very large, but less than impactful superstars in the Great Khali and Mark Henry and have successfully elevated them to major players again with storylines that matter on Smackdown. Khali’s rather interesting Punjabi relationship with Jinder Mahal took a vicious turn when Jinder during Khali’s match slapped him yet again at ringside and lit a fire underneath him to completely destroy the Usos, one to finish the singles match and one after the match. Although realistically he should have been facing them both. Henry teamed up in attacks once again with his Chocolate and Vanilla tag team partner, Sheamus to deliver beat-downs of Christian and Randy Orton, but he was not defeated in singles action as was Sheamus. This has to be considered a small victory for Henry who was just hanging around in make shift tag teams for most of the past year. Henry vs. Zeke has to now be considered a potential big time match once it’s booked on Smackdown. A lot of power clashing head to head once WWE decides to go with that program/feud.
8. Line Of the Night:
a. Michael Cole after Booker T said he better be careful not to go to prison or he’ll be washing people’s socks
Michael Cole – “Yeah, but people say I have prison tattoos.”
9. Match of the Night:
Kane, Big Show and Ezekiel Jackson vs. The Corre
Christian vs. Sheamus was very good and if given more than five minutes Daniel Bryan vs. Chavo Guerrero easily would have gotten the nod. But I have to get better from the slim pickings I’m given some weeks and look for all around factors in picking the match of the night including finish and uniqueness to the match as well as match length which is very important. While The Corre vs. Kane/Show/Zeke was the first televised match between the two sides, it was more than just a novelty. There was a lot of good tag team action with The Corre providing quick tags and operated as a cohesive unit before falling to Ezekiel Jackson’s finisher. Bryan vs. Chavo ended abruptly in the five minute challenge, although I loved what I saw and Christian vs. Sheamus while solid lacked the pizzaz I was looking for in the climax. The slow, ref out of place to count small package seemed to hurt the exclamation point of the match needed for me to remember it as THE best after all the matches have been tallied. I don’t like to do ties as far as match of the night, so I’ll go with the tag match here if only for the entertaining nature of this tag team match especially considering we don’t get very good ones in WWE with a lack of big time commitment to them in length and quality actual tag teams.
10. Final Show Thoughts:
What was up with that overzealous split-legged RKO celebration Randy unveiled this week on Smackdown? For the cool calm and collected Viper, he uncoiled a bit to celebrate at his accomplishment taking down big Mark Henry. The slow saves by both Randy and Christian were interesting, but didn’t lead to much outside of Randy’s shove to Chrisitan before thanking him after another attack by Chocolate & Vanilla. Leads me to believe this slow building tension will explode between the two after this Sunday’s OVER THE LIMIT PPV. Christian, who has been a babyface ever since his dramatic return to WWE is now down after his Edge high and should do well going back to his entertaining heel persona if WWE allows it. It’s probably time. While I’m not happy with Natalya losing a little too handily to one Bella twin, hopefully she can rebound and receive a rematch or match against Kelly if she wins this Sunday. Natalya and Beth Phoenix as well as Gail Kim should be at the top of the mountain to face Kharma as she mows down Diva after Diva. It’s a shame the best women wrestlers in the federation are being used as stepping stones for athletic learning models. The Divas are trying, I get that and I commend them. However, it’s not as if Natalya, Beth and Gail are slouches in the looks department either. Smart, Powerful and Sexy or beauty and brawn, however you want to describe them, Nattie, Beth and Gail should be invested in if you want that division to excel like it should. Of course WWE has to care. The tag team titles as well as the Divas title can really mean a lot to either show if WWE takes the time to fully invest in them again. Both titles at one point in time were a major focus of stories in the past and provided solid matches going back years for the WWF/E.
Show MVPs:
Ezekiel Jackson, Christian and Randy Orton
All had their moments this week and not one of them really stood out head and shoulders above each other, so I’ll give it to all three this week for either their presence on the show or their big win(s).
That is all.
M.C. Brown
You can find me on Twitter as
ShocXwavE
*On a final note I just want to offer my condolences to the entire Poffo family and friends of Legendary WWF/EÂ Superstar Randy Macho Man Savage. This past Friday we lost a true legend and hopefully Macho and Elizabeth will be properly honored with their place in WWE history with Hall of Fame slots in next year’s class. We’ll miss you, Macho.
