Reviewing the 4/8/11 episode of Friday Night Smackdown…
1. The Corre changed their music for the umpteenth time this week. Perhaps it’s time to just scrap the “End of Days” theme and stop trying to remix it.
2. In a chance to redeem themselves from the ultra short Wrestlemania match up, WWE gave us a 2 out of 3 falls match between The Corre vs. Kane/The Big Show/Kofi Kingston/Santino Marella. Ending the third fall with a DQ would indicate a specialty match between them at Extreme Rules, so I won’t say they failed at this feud again. At least not yet.
3. I can’t help laughing to myself every time Cody Rhodes keeps head-butting his opponents with the protective mask he has. All I can think of is Woody Woodpecker. Maybe if Cody turns face, they can paint the mask and sell them to kids.
4. With the magnitude of Wrestlemania 28’s Main Event being set last Monday and the inclusion of The Corre interfering for whatever unexplained/unknown reason, I can see Smackdown devoting an entire long segment to the replay. I was then wondering why Smackdown would run vignettes for what looked like future Raw superstar Sin Cara until he came out later and gave another showcase of his talents, this time all over the All-American American Jack Swagger. There is a new Poetry in Motion in the WWE, that’s for sure, and his name is Sin Cara.
5. It looks like Michelle McCool may end up as the heel in the eventual Lay Cool break up. Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix(who deserved a Wrestlemania match among others) defeated Lay Cool when Michelle feigned a pain in her back, possibly insinuating she’s hurting from carrying Layla, rather than make the tag to Layla allowing Lay to be rolled up for the loss. Kelly Kelly debuted a new move from her ever improving repertoire, a reverse half tarantula that has her legs around the woman’s neck choking her. Impressive. This looks as devastating to a girl as it does exciting for a guy to take.
6. Finally the real Mrs. Orton shows up on WWE TV. If you watch HBK’s Hall of Fame highlights of his speech, you’ll see Randy’s real wife make an appearance on WWE TV next to Randy and his father, the legendary Cowboy Bob Orton.
7. Advice to Michael Cole, don’t try to outwit or antagonize Edge on commentary. He’ll own you every time. Always a treat to hear Edge on commentary.
8. Lines Of the Night:
On Ezekiel Jackson
a. Michael Cole – “Look at the size of this man. It looks like he has bowling balls on his shoulders.”
To Michael Cole when he tells Edge he should have been arrested for destroying Alberto Del Rio’s property.
b. Edge – “Well, I tell you what Cole, why don’t you try to arrest me? Make a citizen’s arrest. Give it shot.”
To Michael Cole when he asked if Alberto Del Rio’s pressed charges against him for the damage to ADR’s automobile at Wrestlemania
c. Edge – “No he hasn’t. But you know what, I’d like to press charges against you for trying to look like an athlete at Wrestlemania.”
9. Match of the Night:
#1 Contender’s Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian
Great match. Their best yet. And I was thinking the Divas match might provide some competition for the top spot this week. Alberto stepped up this week as he and Christian provided a very competitive and entertaining match. The right man won here, but Christian looked very strong, was built up as a very credible contender by Edge both in a backstage segment, which was great, too as well as by Edge’s expert commentary. Edge was better than the entire three man booth combined and even fought off the always annoying and antagonistic Michael Cole’s jabs. The match itself had solid action and Del Rio won when Brodus teased interfering, Edge came off of commentary to spear him momentarily distracting Christian from the top rope who was then given a shining wizard from Del Rio for the pin. The match result leads into a Extreme Rules Ladder Match in four weeks at Extreme Rules between Alberto Del Rio and the defending World Champion Edge. Only problem is that is a lot of TV time to try to keep this feud fresh. Perhaps some Edge and Christian tension will be thrown into the mix to fill up the hours in between.
10. Final Show Thoughts:
Not a great show by any means, but strong enough to hold my interest. The main event was solid and the Divas match wasn’t as bad as some of the short and awkward Diva matches WWE usually has thrown out on their TV show. That is a real shame since they have a very impressive array of female talent featuring the likes of Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, Awesome Kong(who has yet to debut), Natalya and some up and comers and solid hands. It is a shame WWE wastes so much talent every week. Even Trent Barreta who seems worthy of the interest WWE showed in him when he upset Drew McIntyre is being used as a glorified Smackdown jobber. Speaking of Drew, I believe he has now been absent from the last two weeks of Smackdown programming as well as the PPV Wrestlemania broadcast. Very sad considering he has been looking better and better in his performances each week. WWE never ceases to disappoint me in how much talent they wield, but how bad they can utilize it at times.
Show MVP:
Christian
Strong performance in the ring and in his interaction with Edge backstage, featuring the very cool touch of him craving the World Title belt Edge temporarily left behind. Edge gets runner up for providing some of those same great moments with Christian, on commentary during the main event and shooting down Michael Cole. Good stuff.
That is all.
M.C. Brown
You can find me on Twitter as
ShocXwavE
