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Title This: WWE Smackdown Reaction 6-22

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Saturday, June 23, 2012

WWE SmackdownOpening Segment:

What I Liked:

Teddy Long comes out saying John Laurinaitis is fired and Mick Foley is the GM tonight. Big Show comes out, talks about not caring about anybody, and congratulates Cena for winning with help. Big Show wants in Money in the Bank. I liked this because Big Show needs to move on quickly since he and Cena are complete. The loss does not look as bad now looking back because Cena did get help to win. This is rare in the career of Cena. I also enjoyed Brodus Clay coming out, getting some offense onto Show, and the fact that David Otunga came out and helped Show. You continue one feud, align Otunga with an established heel, and let Brodus grow more than just his dancing. Otunga has that excellent look to be able to beat a bigger opponent. I buy this, and buy the fact that Clay could face either or.

What I Disliked:

Does The Big Show need Money in the Bank? I really do not think so because he will be out of place and will slow down the pace of the match. Last year, we had athletes like Gabriel, Cara, Slater, Bryan, among others. That is why it was much better than Raw's Ladder Match. Also, Show could be make Clay have his first meaningful match on Pay Per View. I would much rather see that than Big Show with a ladder. Nothing good would really come out of that.

Grade: B+

Ryback def. Jared Wachtler and Frank Venezia

What I Liked:

Ryback, once again, looks excellent. His look and his intensity is rarely matched in contests that have little meaning. I enjoy the powerbomb into the corner, which nobody else really does.

What I Disliked:

When will we get something different? Another week, another squash. Move on, WWE Creative, and give Ryback a meaning now. It is getting to repetitive.

Grade: C-

 

-Yoshi and Foley are backstage, while Vickie says she is GM next week. Khali comes in and dances.

Alberto Del RioAlberto Del Rio def. Christian

What I Liked:

Del Rio and Christian is an interesting pairing. You have Christian, a solidified mid card champion who can wrestle with anybody, compete with Del Rio, who is viewed as "World Championship" material. The action inside of the ring was great because they are very similar in stature and offensive creativity. Christian's timing and intelligence is something I feel is overlooked. He is excellent on how many levels, and he continues to produce quality matches. I loved the hurricanranna, but thought the reversals from both guys really enhanced the speed. It ended with a Christian Tornado DDT, which got a quick two count. The end does not hurt Christian because Del Rio got distractions from Ricardo, and that really is the only way not to make Christian weak. Cody Rhodes attacks Christian once again, continuing their feud. I feel like both guys will be in Money in the Bank, so it's essential to keep their feud and build more feuds inside that one match.

What I Disliked:

The match was fluid, the action made sense, and it was a smart idea and victory for a guy like Del Rio.

Grade: A

Kane def. Daniel Bryan

What I Liked:

Once again, the main story is AJ being involved. She was the time keeper, and was a huge distraction for both men. She continues to thrive in her role, and really is interesting to watch grow in front of out eyes. The best part is that this is her first big opportunity, as NXT was nothing to ride home about. The match itself was solid, with Kane being able to keep up with Bryan. I give a lot of credit to Kane because he has been able to adapt to many offensive styles, from Cena to Punk to Bryan.He showed in the match he can keep up and make a match flow well with the quicker and more aggressive Bryan. The ending of the match saw AJ help Kane win. She continues to distract Bryan and cost him matches. She has cost matches to Bryan, Kane, and Punk. This keeps the story wide open and continues to make us wonder who she is aligning with.

What I Disliked:

I felt that Punk on commentary would have been perfect. He is the reason why both of these guys are feuding as well. If all layers are going to be involved, involve them consistently, even on Smackdown.

Zack RyderZack Ryder def. Heath Slater

What I Liked:

Slater comes out and complains to Mick Foley about Piper, Lauper, and the events from Monday. Out comes Ryder for a quick squash. Not much to note here besides what Slater is continued to be used with. I wonder if he will be the guy to put over legends for weeks to come. I enjoy what he is doing right now, and Slater is a good wrestler. He is just lost in a character that does not seem real. I like what he is doing right now.

What I Disliked:

Why does Ryder need this squash? This does nothing for him, and only shows you how far he has fallen. Ryder needs a feud and needs one badly before he becomes a regular on Superstars once again.

Grade: C-

-Backstage, Damien Sandow interrupts Foley and Ryder. He says Ryder and Foley are hurting the WWE. He does his usual work with his words. I like this. Ryder needs something, and Sandow is a guy who can benefit from a crowd favorite like Zack. It works with both men.

Prime Time Players def. The Uso's

What I Liked:

Another week of relevant Tag Team wrestling. I will sign up for this any week, and I enjoy that PTP continues to have other teams built around their skills. They are still very young, have a lot to learn, but they are on the right path. The match was solid, as Jimmy and Jey do a great job focusing on their tag team instincts. O'Neil hits his finisher this week, as Young won it for them on PPV. One cannot overshadow the other, and they have not yet.

What I Disliked:

Primo and Epico are really good, but where do they fit in right now? I do not buy them as faces because we have not given a reason to. They brawl with PTP backstage, and I feel like they are being rushed to faces and it is simply not going to get over. They haven't connected with the crowd yet, but we need to invest time into them being faces? Also, where is Truth and Kingston? I know Kofi was filming for SyFy's show, but we see nothing from either for weeks? That makes no sense to me,

Grade: B-

SheamusSheamus def. Dolph Ziggler

What I Liked:

Dolph Ziggler had a chance to carry the match offensively much more than he did at No Way Out. The early offense was something rare because Ziggler usually takes some bumps for the better of his opponent. I thought this match was booked very well, as Sheamus and Ziggler put on another great match. The pacing was great, benefitted the athleticism of Ziggler while focusing on the strengths of Sheamus. Ziggler is on another level right now in terms of progression and future. He is cocky, but not like the typical heel where you get sick of it. Ziggler knows and feels like he is the best, and his character shines each week. Sheamus gets a great Brogue Kick out of nowhere to beat Ziggler, so he once again ends Smackdown on top.

What I Disliked:

When will Ziggler get that ONE big victory? He continues to be utilized as a guy who competes in main events to put over the champion. He did this with Orton, Punk, and now Sheamus. I really want to see him continue his evolution into the main event picture, but maybe Money in the Bank is what he needs. This gives him the opportunity to pick his match when he wants it. I am not sure if it is the right thing. I would much rather see him pick up a big victory on his own, with a level playing field. This would help him much more in the long run, instead of being like every other heel in the company.

Grade: A-

Smackdown Grade: B

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Title This: WWE Smackdown Reaction

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Saturday, June 02, 2012

WWE SmackdownOpening Segment

Sheamus starts the show talking about letting some steam off last week to Del Rio. David Otunga quickly interrupts and demands he apologize to Laurinaitis.  Sheamus makes fun of Otunga, and says he will consider apologizing if John Laurinaitis comes out on his scooter. Alberto Del Rio comes out and calls Sheamus stupid and a peasant. Del Rio, thanks to John Laurinaitis, gets to pick Sheamus' opponent for tonight. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Otunga in the face, and bends over and says sorry to him.

What I Liked:

I like how they are trying to book the anti-authority figure of Sheamus in a different way than CM Punk has been. He is more of the fighter, not talker, and continues to take advantage of his popularity on Smackdown. Sheamus and Del Rio needs something more to really make this match feel personal and important, and they have time to do it. This segment kept Laurinaitis in everyone's mind without continous exposure. Another week and another way to have him being talked about without appearing.

What I Disliked:

Do we really take David Otunga seriously? His character would work much better if he has the ability to beat anyone. They make him look so weak inside the ring that it is hard to take him seriously outside. He has a great look, but that is where it stops.

Grade: B

Sin Cara def. Heath Slater

What I Liked:

The return of Sin Cara was a successful one. They did not invest months of video packages or hype, but really brought him back at the right time. The pacing of the match was fast, as you would expect. I did not see any botches or mistakes, and liked that Cara showed "ring rust" by having Slater get some early offense on him. He looked great with his springboard cross body block and La Mistica is a really intriguing finisher that is not the typical one. He has the ability to get back in the good graces with solid in ring performances like this. It is all about consistency, and thanks to Slater, this match was very consistent and timed throughout.

What I Disliked:

This is what you expected a year ago with Sin Cara. All of the hype surrounding him hurt his overall transition into the WWE. I cannot say I disliked any part, but let's play it out and see some consistent matches before we say he is the next Rey Mysterio.

Alberto Del RioDamien Sandow def. Ezekiel Jackson

What I Liked:

Sandow comes out and calls him an ignoramus, and says he will not fight tonight. Jackson grabs him and clotheslines him in the corner. Sandow does a great job escaping from the Torture Rack and connects with aggressive knees to Jackson's abdomin. You can see the intensity Sandow brings in the snap of a finger. He gets a few strikes from Jackson, but ultimately picks up the win. Even though Jackson is irrelavant, he looks like a better victory than Yoshi Tatsu. At least he held a championship before.

What I Disliked:

When will Sandow get something meaningful? Will he continue this path until he loses, or will they let him continue to win like Brodus, Ryback, and others? I really like his character so far and has been able to connect with the crowd in a different way. I fear they are going to keep doing this for a long time with no big moment. People are beginning to see how good he is in the ring each week with small doses. Smart booking decision so far, and hopefully they can continue to push him at a steady pace.

Grade: B

-Alberto Del Rio talks to Dolph Ziggler, who wants to face Sheamus. Del Rio agrees and gives him the match for later.

Ryback def. Chris Lyons and Ryan Shelton

What I Liked:

Another squash for Ryback. He looks impressive each week with his unique offensive attacks. His finisher looks great, and his look is intimidating. He has all of the tools to be in a legit feud right now.

What I Disliked:

I like Ryback, I really do. WWE Creative needs to run with him right now and throw him in with someone of size and importance. I still feel Kane would be a great opponent. This will let Ryback show some vulnerability and change the style of his overall tactics. He needs to develop a little more than just pure dominance.

Grade: C

SheamusSheamus def. Dolph Ziggler

What I Liked:

This was a fantastic match. What did you expect besides that? The attitude between Ziggler and Sheamus is excellent, especially when Ziggler tries to escape and get a time out. His personality shines more in the ring than anyone else. Ziggler does the little things that I appreciate. His mannerisms and emotions are fantastic. I loved how Sheamus got the early start in the match, really working on the smaller opponent with his brute strength. Shoulder blocks and clotheslines pick up the pace for Sheamus. I felt giving Ziggler a great look here will do so much for him now that a few main event spots have opened up. Ziggler countered and connected with a picture perfect DDT, one that really caught Sheamus off guard. The timing is spectacular between two guys who are still very young in their careers. After all of this great wrestling, the finish came when Swagger came out and tried to help Dolph. That did not happen, and ended up costing Dolph the match. You get a sense that Ziggler may turn face here, with Swagger being the less liked of the two. Keep this going, keep progressing more than one angle, and build towards Summerslam.

Grade: A

-CM Punk is interviewed by Matt Striker. He talks about John Laurinaitis not liking him, as well as beating Kane tonight.

Ryder and Santino def. Prime Time Players (O'Neil and Young)

What I Liked:

It looks like O'Neil and Young are getting a solid chance right now. They are still young, but getting better and better each week. They are brash, cocky, and the typical athletes that people used to dislike. They feel like they are entitled, and a good way to gain heat. I enjoyed the match, but disagreed with a few things. After the match was very smart. Big Show attacks and dominates Ryder and Santino, two very popular guys with the fans. This was a smart move and came off looking great. If you want someone to gain instant heat, have them annihilate two popular faces. Plain and simple.

What I Disliked:

Ryder and Santino have nothing to gain by picking up a cheap win. We see this rematch from a few weeks ago, but this time they lose? I really did not like the finish because you need these guys to pick up wins against all competition before heading to face Kofi and Truth. I feel like that is the ultimate goal for them, potentially at Summerslam. There really is no point for Santino to be in this match either, who should have an actual feud as the United States Champion. This was just illogical

Grade: C+

CM PunkCody Rhodes def. Tyson Kidd

What I Liked:

This was a quick match with a few nice spots. Rhodes' dropkick is one of the best in the business. Also, Kidd gets a little exposure even though he loses in quick fashion. They flip the switch from Christian who was at the announcer's table. It looks like we will get a rematch at No Way Out, and I think that is going to be a great match with a lot of athletic spots.

What I Disliked:

I like these two feuding, but it is missing something. I am not sure what is missing, but I just don't feel the intensity between the two. There is not a lot of history, and Rhodes should be going up while Christian should stay where he is at. It is hard to explain, but I really think people will not care too much about this rematch, which they should.

Grade: C+

C.M. Punk vs. Kane Ends in No Contest

What I Liked:

You knew this was not going to be a clean finish. Punk looked great in the early going, stepping away from his technicality, and working more on being aggressive and physical on an obviously stronger opponent. I love to see Kane thrive with guys like Punk and Bryan, because it shows how versatility and endurance for a big guy. The match was really solid, nothing too fantastic. You had Kane hit the big boot and Punk fight out of chokeslam attempts. There was good technicality in the middle of the match to slow down the face, which benefitted Kane more. I liked how AJ continues to be used in multiple facets. You are adding multiple layers to a feud that seemed random at first, but not makes a little more sense with how much they invest in these guys. Kane stands tall at the end of Smackdown until Laurinaitis announces he is in the WWE Championship match at No Way Out. Another way to impliment someone else, well done by the WWE.

Grade: A-

Smackdown Grade: B

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