10 Thoughts on Smackdown 07.22.2011 Randy Orton v. Kane, Sheamus v. Wade Barrett, Christian

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It’s the first Smackdown since the VERY noteworthy Money in the Bank pay-per-view, and we’ve got our first post-Vince Smackdown as well. As always, there’s quite a few thoughts swimming in this thing I call a brain, so here we go…

 

1a. Christian v. Ezekiel Jackson….World Heavyweight Champion v. Intercontinental Champion? Sounds like a blockbuster main event…NOT an opening match. This is proof that the titles are becoming more and more like props, in my opinion.

1b. Michael Cole said that an Ezekiel Jackson win would “put him in the hunt for the World Heavyweight Championship.” Uhhhhh….doesn’t being Intercontinental Champion count for something? Guess not. The match itself was okay, but having Big Zeke losing this much as IC Champ doesn’t really do much for the credibility of that title, or at least, what’s left of it.

2. Oh boy…don’t tell me they’re gonna do the “boyhood dream” angle with Daniel Bryan! HBK would not approve…all kidding aside, I’m glad he’s got the Money in the Bank briefcase…and I’m even MORE pleased that FINALLY, FINALLY someone has the intelligence and patience to wait until Wrestlemania to use the Money in the Bank contract! Only question that leaves is, with Rock/Cena, and Bryan/World Heavyweight Champion at Mania, what does that do for the Royal Rumble???

2b. Daniel Bryan/Heath Slater was a really good match, I thought. I just wonder if we’re going to see WWE pushing Bryan, AND allowing him to actually show what he’s capable of. He’s shown some good stuff so far since he’s been in WWE, but I don’t think he’s even shown 10% of what he’s truly capable of.

3. Sheamus/Wade Barrett was probably one of the most fun FIGHTS I’ve seen in WWE in a while. Not a five-star classic, but a good showing from both men. I wouldn’t be against a feud between these two. And is it just me, or was Sheamus getting some decent cheers?  Possible Sheamus turn? Or was the reaction just because Barrett is THAT hated? Hmmmm….

4. It’s 8:25, and they’re starting the main event…are they really going to give Kane and Randy Orton a half hour? That’s either going to be a good match, or a total train wreck…

5. Looks like Orton dinged his knee pretty good on that table spot. Sure, he tried to play it off, but it did look like his leg did hit the table pretty hard.

6. As much flak as the IWC gives for the concept of “Super-Cena”, I think after watching this match, a case can be made for a “Super-Orton” as well…just saying. Good match that made both men look good, but still, the point is that people complain about Cena being booked like Superman…Orton’s really not that

7. KANE WITH A HANDSHAKE!?!??!  Risky, risky move there, creative. That could kill off the character worse than WCW’s creative did with Raven.

8. Mark Henry comes out and destroys Kane’s ankle like he did to the Big Show. Again, I’m all for enhancing a storyline and building someone’s character, but the events of tonight might have put a serious dent in the credibility of Kane’s character. Maybe it’s a way to write him off…I don’t know.

9. Now, with 4 matches tonight, is it just my imagination, or did tonight’s show seem really rushed?

10. I know this is a Smackdown column, but it showed the Raw segment, so here’s my thought on that: It was only a matter of time. HHH has been doing more backstage, and so doing that segment was a perfect way to write him out of in-ring competition, as well as write out the Mr. McMahon character. Will Vince still be a part of WWE’s business? Absolutely. Now all we can do is wait and see where things go. It is unclear as to where the HHH executive character will go, or if it will even impact Smackdown in any way.

 

All in all, like I said, it seemed a very rushed show, and seemed to go by much faster, so my thoughts weren’t quite as coherent this week. Not much Money in the Bank fallout was shown this week, with just Daniel Bryan, Christian, Randy Orton, and Mark Henry REALLY shining. It’s going to be an interesting next few weeks from the Blue Crew, with Sin Cara being suspended, a new World Heavyweight Champion, and Mark Henry running around like an unstoppable juggernaut. Until next time…

Currently a junior at Murray State University, Joe Violet has been writing for Inside Pulse Sports since the summer of 2010, and started writing for Inside Pulse Wrestling in the summer of 2011. He follows several sports, and also follows professional wrestling and MMA. He is pursuing a degree in creative writing/journalism.