sheamus

Opening 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 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 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-

Sheamus 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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