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Title This: WWE Smackdown Reaction 8-24

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Sunday, August 26, 2012

WWE SmackdownOpening Segment

What I Liked:
 
Randy Orton comes out and talks about deserving a chance to face Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship. Sheamus comes out and says he agrees, and that they both beat Alberto Del Rio fairy this past week. Booker T comes out and talks about what happened this past week on Raw, but Del Rio comes out and says he is being treated unfairly. Del Rio says they are both cheaters and it is a conspiracy. Booker T announces Orton vs. Del Rio in a Number 1 Contender's Match for tonight. I really thought Booker T did a great job handling his power and making intelligent decisions that are logical. You can tell that he is much more comfortable in this position. Orton and Sheamus are two guys that have history, but as Sheamus being a heel. This is something fresh and something that the fans can be split on.
 
What I Disliked:
 
Alberto Del Rio talks like he is in a play, where his words do not sound convincing. There is no flow with his sentences, and all he does is emphasize each word. I really do not feel like he is believable in any sense, and forces his words and his fake character on the fans. It still has not gotten over.
 
Grade: B
 

Ryback defeats Jinder Mahal

What I Liked:

Ryback looks great in alot of areas, and you can see that his music, his look, and his strong personality is getting over. He basically dominates Mahal in this match, basically the finish to a feud that has fizzled over the past few weeks. This was like every other match Ryback has had.
 
What I Disliked:
 
Jinder Mahal vs. Ryback is not appealing to many people. Mahal has been buried ever since he lost to The Great Khali over a year ago. Ryback needed someone interesting, but they did not give him something to immediately become relevant. I want to see something more now, and not Mahal attacking Ryback each week. This has to be the end of things between these guys, so let's hope for that.
 
Grade: C-

Layla def. Alicia Fox

What I Liked:
 
First off, Kaitlyn was on commentary and did a pretty good job considering she was only with Michael Cole. I was hoping that we got to see the new contender to Layla, and we did. The match itself was simply okay. Layla used much of her offense to escape and counter Fox, who was quicker from spot to spot. Alicia works on Layla's leg with a Boston Crab, but Layla does a good job of rolling through and finishing her off quickly.
 
What I Disliked:
 
Is it face vs. face? Layla vs. Kaitlyn? Who are we supposed to cheer for? This is the biggest question. I feel like Layla needs to go back to being a heel, where she thrived with Michelle McCool. Kaitlyn is extremely likable to the fans because of her quirky personality and great look. I feel like there needs to be some sort of personal conflict between the two, and not a random feud for Night of Champions.
 
Grade: C+

Heath Slater defeats Sin Cara

What I Liked:
 
This was a rather interesting match to me. We go almost an hour without a really good wrestling match. The feud here is Cara vs. Cody Rhodes, which is why Cody was at the commentator's desk with Cole. Cara hits a springboard elbow drop on Slater, which looked really solid on TV. The feud with Cody and Cara is odd, but at least it is something with both guys who currently have nothing. Rhodes distracts Cara, is obsessed with taking his mask off, and costs Cara the match. The flow of the match was quick and effective to a point that we knew Cody would interfere. I expected the attacks, and for what they are trying to do, it is working.
 
What I Disliked:
 
Cody deserves so much more than Sin Cara, a guy who is a one trick pony. There really is no point in this feud. The only thing I can think of is logical would be Cody upset because he used to wear a mask. Do we give the mask back to Cody? What kind of character development is going on here? The long term success of this feud is doubtful. Also, good for Slater picking up a win. He has grown on me, and this was a win that will be overlooked.
 
Grade: B-
Sheamus defeats Dolph Ziggler via Disqualification
 
What I Liked:
 
This was a very entertaining match for both guys. Dolph put on a great outing versus the champion, and it all began with speed and athleticism. Dolph got the early advantage and took control with a beautiful DDT on Sheamus. Ziggler continues with an old school approach, locking in a headlock on Sheamus. This slowed down the pace of a fast match, and Sheamus would counter with a side suplex. The ending saw Ziggler get DQ'ed by hitting Sheamus with a briefcase. I absolutely loved the ending because it gave a mean streak to Ziggler. He needs to continue to reach his character to new levels, and this is only helping his progression. Sheamus continues to be a solid piece, if not the best overall piece, on Smackdown. I want to see an extended feud between these two young studs. I continue to be impressed with the overall characters of these two guys.
 
Grade: A-
 

In Ring Segment

What I Liked:
 
Santino and Antonio Cesaro exchange some words back and forth before Santino gets beaten down by Cesaro. I like how they are trying to make a feud out of these two guys, but I am simply not interested.
 
What I Disliked:
 
There has not been anything more ridiculously stupid I have seen than Santino talking to his Cobra. This was a complete waste of time and absolutely brutal. I could not finish this segment, and had to fast forward to get to Cesaro coming out. This was a complete joke. I cannot say how horrible I think this was because there is no words to describe it.
 
Grade: F

R-Truth and Kofi Kingston defeats Primo and Epico

 
What I Liked:
 
These two tag teams make quick work in a match that was basically used to have Kofi and Truth look strong. Primo and Epico are really good wrestlers but their team is not that intriguing. They lack a real personality or a specific talent package. Truth and Kingston worked quickly and effectively tonight, and Truth opens his arsenal up with a sitdown suplex. The finish was clean and made the champions get over once again. I liked this match because it was simple and quick.
 
What I Disliked:
 
Last time we saw Primo and Epico, they beat PTP. Now, they lose to the champions. Are they faces or heels? What is the point of this match, only to further the chase for PTP? I wonder how they will impliment two teams into the mix even though they both lost to Kofi and Truth. I wouldn't mind seeing more teams get added to this mix.
 
Grade: B-
 
-PTP, Primo and Epico, The Uso's, Gabriel and Kidd, and Kofi/Truth are backstage and end up in a brawl. They all want a shot at the Tag Titles that Kofi and Truth hold. I enjoyed this very much, give us more action and more complex stories with the tag teams.
 

Alberto Del Rio defeats Randy Orton

What I Liked:
 
Smackdown ends with a rematch from Raw, but with a title shot on the line. Throughout the match, I felt like Orton would win easily. I figure that Sheamus would be on the helping side of Randy, but I noticed some differences in the match that I thought otherwise. Yes, we had Randy Orton counter some of Del Rio's moves and hit his vintage moves. He would set up Del Rio for numerous clotheslines, followed by a big body slam off the ropes. Orton then was able to hit his DDT, and that set up for the finish. Instead, Del Rio was able to escape quickly and lock in the Cross Armbreaker. This was a quick and effective reversal that Orton does not usually see. I was shocked to see Orton tap out quickly and in a non controversial way. I thought it helped Del Rio overall look much more stronger, but it also came to the expense of Orton taking the clean loss.
 
What I Disliked:
 
Once again, Orton can lose and still be viewed as a top competitor. This is due to the amount of success over the years he has been with the company. I really do not want to see Del Rio vs. Sheamus one more time, but it looks like that is what they are trying to get. After the match, Dolph Ziggler teases a cash in, but Orton hits an RKO on him. I am excited to see if Orton vs. Ziggler pans out on a strong way, but I still do not like Ziggler trying to cash in every single week. It is getting to a point that his win will not feel as shocking or important when he actually does cash in.
 
Grade: B+
 
Smackdown Grade: B
 
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Title This: WWE Smackdown Reacton 8-3-12

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Saturday, August 04, 2012

WWE Smackdown Opening Segment

What I Liked:

Smackdown starts off with Vince announcing Booker T as the General Manager of Smackdown. I think this is a brilliant idea for a few reasons. Booker is more comfortable on the microphone in the ring, with pre planned ideas. On commentary, he was brutal. I like the fact that a former wrestler is the GM, and he can be utilized in either the face or heel because he has done both effectively. Furthermore, Del Rio comes in and immediately gets in the face of Booker. Out of all the heels, Del Rio needs to be the guy that feuds in some senses with the authority figure. I liked this and felt that Booker T is able to get the best out of Alberto. Well done first segment.

What I Disliked:

Booker is going to be fair from both ends. I think this is inevitably going to change. I do not want too much Booker each week, but there has to be a balance of him throughout the show.

Grade: B+

Sheamus def. Tensai

What I Liked:

To start off Smackdown, Sheamus and Tensai put on a solid match with plenty of physicality. Tensai throws Sheamus into the steps, using more of a tough and brawling aspect to his offense. He shied away from his technicality, which never worked for me. Tensai needs to use his size more than his skill of grappling. Sheamus works well with anyone, and this is another example. I love when Sheamus chopped down Tensai, with strong forearms over his chest. The fans were able to get behind him quickly. The finish came when Sheamus knocked Tensai out with a Brogue Kick. Out of nowhere, Sheamus picks up the win after a solid outing.

What I Disliked:

Is Tensai really going to be put into this situation? There are other men that should have faced Sheamus, not a guy who has no meaning or feud. Tensai continues to be used to get guys over, but he is not over. This does not calculate for me, especially since Tensai flips from losing to Tyson Kidd. Do we ever believe he would beat Sheamus?

Grade: B-

Santino MarellaAntonio Cesaro def Santino Marella

What I Liked:

After an upset last week, Cesaro gains more steam by beating the United States Championship once again. Cesaro is very different in terms of wrestling, with a nicxe European style. His look is unique, his moves are not duplicated, and he seems like a guy that can build on what he is starting with. Cesaro and Santino put on a decent match, but you knew what you were going to get. You always expect the Santino match to be the same, with him overcoming the offense to hit a few moves. Luckily, Cesaro still got the victory.

What I Disliked:

I still do not understand how Santino gets beaten quicker by Cesaro over the number one contender in Alberto Del Rio. That makes NO sense to me. Also, is Cesaro going to win the title? What is the point of them fighting if there is not title change. Santino is bland as champion, has little effect on the championship, and would greatly help the progression of Cesaro. He immediately becomes interesting. I fear they will bury him like they have done before. I need to see more, not the usual from Santino. It just does not grab the attention of the fans.

Grade: C

Daniel Bryan, The Miz, and Dolph Ziggler def Chris Jericho, Kane and Christian

What I Liked:

Talk about a 6 man tag with absolutely everything you could ask for. With three really good feuds in between, the ring action was consistent and paced perfectly throughout. It was given plenty of time, and all guys got a good portion of the match to work. I felt like Miz needed to work the most out of this since he is returning and needs to keep the IC title from being irrelavant. The heels used quick tags, focused their attacks on Christian so Jericho and Kane did not look weak. I continue to watch Kane and love what I see from him. He is powerful and extremely quick on his feet. It speaks volumes he can keep up with 5 other fast and athletic superstars. I felt that Bryan's victory was well needed. Let him continue to win on Smackdown, and maybe struggle on Raw because of AJ. This adds to his development and continued focus of the angle they are trying to play up with his mental instability.

What I Disliked:

I wanted to see much more focus on Ziggler because he is holding the illustrious briefcase. We all want to see more Ziggler, and his feud with Jericho could be great. Too bad there is a time constraint on it with Jericho leaving. It hurts Ziggler in the long run because he STILL needs to have a feud that lasts longer than 1-2 months.

Grade: A-

Ryback def. Jinder Mahal

What I Liked:

Ryback continues his feud with Mahal. The match ends in a DQ with Mahal leaving. Ryback does a little speaking before the match, very old school with the interview before the match. This is basically the first time we have heard him speak. I thought that was the best part of the segment.

What I Disliked:

Ryback has certainly lost my interest and it is not his fault. There is no success with this ridiculous feud with Mahal. When you bury a superstar for so long, people are going to lose any sort of interest in him. That is where Mahal is at. If he won any sort of big match or was relevant for any part of his career, then it would work. Too bad for both guys because this is something that does not have length in and cannot add layers to their feud.

Grade: D

Darren Young def. R-Truth

What I Liked:

Young and O'Neil have the classic heel tag team moves, including O'Neil beating down Truth on the outside as Young distracts the referee. I really like PTP and think that they have strong personalities and characters that can carry themselves far. There is a difference in cockiness between them and other heels. It works for them because they are viewed as the "high school or college jocks." You love to hate guys like this.

What I Disliked:

The match was too quick, had no string of moves attached to it, and really did not do much. I am lucky that I got to see emphasis on the tag teams, but I would rather get a ten minute match here, even longer, instead of wasted time like Ryback's match. I want to see some consistency each week, and that remains to be seen with these guys.

Grade: C+

Randy OrtonRandy Orton def. Alberto Del Rio

What I Liked:

Welcome back, Randy. Whether you love or hate his character, his star power should never be questioned. He is the face of Smackdown, the John Cena of Friday Nights. Orton does a good job getting back to basics, with nothing really new in his arsenal this week. He hits a back breaker which gives him the early advantage, and focuses his strikes on Del Rio's chest. We get the smooth flow from clotheslines to the hanging DDT, and Del Rio tries to escape. Sheamus comes out and throws him back into the ring and Orton connects with an RKO. Good match to bring back Orton, but I did have a few issues with it.

What I Disliked:

It looks like Orton will get no punishment after the suspension. Also, when will Alberto Del Rio actually look like a strong heel and not a coward? His character is getting so frustrating when they book him to lose to Orton, and basically be a whipping boy throughout the match. Does this frustrate you as it does with me?

Grade: B

Smackdown Grade: C

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