10 Thoughts: WWE Smackdown 8.23.13 (Daniel Bryan, Darren Young, Randy Orton, Curtis Axel)

Reviews, Shows, TV Shows

1. Who needs John Cena when the WWE can do Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton for the next few months? Not only is this feud fresh but Bryan and Orton play their characters so perfectly. Orton has been great the past few months so another WWE Title run was due but the best thing to come out of all of this is the WWE is making another star that will still be over ten years from now.

2. Cody Rhodes would be a perfect opponent for Curtis Axel and his Intercontinental Title but Rhodes is on the verge of becoming a main event talent for the World Heavyweight Title. Axel and Rhodes would make for great TV but if Cody falls away from the World Title picture it will be another hit and miss for the third generation star. On the other side Curtis Axel is definitely getting the rub right now. He is working with CM Punk on the house shows and is rumored to be facing him again at Night of Champions. Axel needs to perform well during his time with Punk or it may be back to NXT he goes.

3. While the WWE continues to make new stars they seem to be continuing to take their time with Dolph Ziggler. Dolph’s feud with AJ Lee and Big E Langston has had it’s payoff, the WWE needs to find something new for Ziggler and fast. AJ Lee has already proved she can stand on her own two feet so her time with Langston may be starting to reach its peak. My only question is who does the WWE believe in more Ziggler or Langston?

4. Putting Christian with Alberto Del Rio despite their great matches was never a good idea. Rob Van Dam is a much better choice for Del Rio. Van Dam putting Del Rio over means a whole lot more than a win over Christian does. Adding Ricardo Rodriguez to the feud makes sense but as a babyface manager for Van Dam does it really? I am a huge fan of Ricardo and his work as a babyface should be just as good as his work as a heel managing Alberto. But once RVD’s time is up will the WWE finally let Ricardo go out on his own? The guy can work in a ring after all.

5. Making Mark Henry and The Big Show a tag team was probably the best thing for everyone involved. Henry and Show will stay relevant by feuding with The Shield over the next month or so and wins over the likes of Henry and Big Show just add to the already growing resume of The Shield.

6. I’m glad the WWE is using Darren Young’s new-found fame outside of wrestling to help them get over. The WWE is doing it the right way, they haven’t referenced Young coming out as a homosexual, instead Young and his tag team parter, Titus O’Neil, have this brand new energy as a babyface tag team and the crowds are buying in. Having another good babyface tag team only makes the tag team division stronger and gives The Shield more competition.

7. God, I am so sick of Ryback’s bully gimmick. Just have him do ANYTHING ELSE, anything. I will admit before the WWE went down this stupid route Ryback was almost on to something. He was following the pattern Sheamus did to get himself over as a heel. Ryback has potential and the WWE seem to love him, so for his sake and theirs someone needs to come up with something good and quick.

8. It’s sad to say but I think we have seen all of Wade Barrett’s potential. He hasn’t had a legitimate feud with anyone in since his latest lack luster run with the Intercontinental Title. Putting him week in and week out with Daniel Bryan isn’t going to change that either. Barrett is simply a mid card guy and nothing more, well maybe in TNA.

9. Not only does Daniel Bryan have the opportunity to put himself up there with the likes of John Cena and CM Punk but Randy Orton does as well. I know he is already a hall of famer just waiting to retire but this run with Daniel Bryan can really bring Orton back with the likes of Punk and Cena. For far too long Orton has been playing third fiddle behind the two faces of the company and if he is fine with that so am I but if he isn’t it ought to make great TV.

10. Smackdown is really settling into its new role of showcasing the mid card talent while continuing top Smackdown feuds at the same time. This show has a really good flow right now so I beg you WWE please don’t make Smackdown three hours too. Until next week guys, leave a comment, tell a friend, listen to the latest HTC Wrestling Pulsecast on iTunes, follow me on Twitter @CamDougharty and let’s talk rasslin!