You know I had a feeling that since the Survivor Series and Raw were exceptionally good, Smackdown would really have a tough job topping either show or at least being almost as good. And as I right, I didn’t care for Smackdown at all last night. I found the show not only lacking in matches but it lacked in energy. I was extremely bored with what I saw. As for Impact? Yeah an improvement from last week, but again the WCW format is really hurting a good show. And I’m talking about the WCW format when the show was nearing the end of their run.
Impact is just not giving the young guys enough time for matches. Why? Because Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Jeff Jarrett are the focus. I noticed more today that Hall looks old and out of shape. I’m very disappointed in his appearance. Nash is Nash and Jarrett is like the guy that wants so badly to hang with the popular kids. The Kings Of Wrestling (that name still kills me) need to back off. At least today there was no long promo from Nash, but as I said the matches I believe maybe averaged around 2 minutes each, if that. And for me to mention each one is kind of silly since they were so short. I will say this. I grouped DDP in the same category last week with Nash and Hall. And after I did that I felt bad because DDP I believe still can wrestle. And his feud with Raven might work or it might not but at least Page will work hard to show that he still can wrestle. I noticed today the crowd definitely seemed more into Page.
Also while AMW and Triple X didn’t really show us much I liked the tease we got when AMW and XXX met head on in a cage. I’m sure they are saving these guys for a rematch at the next pay per view, Turning Point. I know their Victory Road match didn’t come off well, but I still would like to see them definitely go at it again. And I am pleased with Chris Sabin and Petey Williams continuing from where they left off at Victory Road. Also, I never thought I would say this, since I’m not a Randy Savage fan, and even though I never saw Randy Savage wrestle believe me I’m well aware of Macho Man. But having him come out with Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles was kind of cool. Now mind you I’m not saying TNA needs him but as along as there’s Nash and Hall why not bring in another veteran. I don’t know how the match with Macho Man, Hardy and Styles vs. Nash, Hall and Jarrett will be at Turning Point, (probably Styles and Hardy will carry the match) but you know what? If it’s a one time thing then I say go for it. But it really pains me that the young guys are being put on the back burner.
Now as far as Smackdown last night. The only good match and real match was the opening with RVD and Rey Mysterio vs. Renee Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki. Kenzo never looked better in there and this one just gelled beautifully with all four guys. The main event with John Cena vs. Carlito Caribbean Cool didn’t have it because of CCC being injured. And I understand something had to be done to take that U.S. title off CCC so I can’t really be upset about their match. I was extremely happy with the JBL promo although it went on too long, and even happier with Booker T, Eddie Guerrero and Undertaker coming out with each claiming to be the one that JBL will face. This was a strong segment, and I like it that Theodore Long set up a fatal four way title match at Armageddon. I guess Taker is going to show up weekly since he’s in this or should I say he better. I would hate to see him do his usual I’m here I’m not here when he’s involved in this title picture.
The Tough Enough contest? What can I say, the crowd seemed to be into their task last night, and the Bashams looked nice, okay seriously I was glad Daniel Puder looked good out there, because the other guys don’t do it for me whatsoever. I was glad to see Charlie Haas return, but not happy to see him stuck out there with Heindenreich. It’s time to give Charlie someone worthwhile to feud with. And maybe I’m way off, but with Kurt Angle wrestling a local guy every week, why not give him Haas to go against. Hell I think we would see some excellent matches. I’m not interested in watching a “local” guy each week come out and lose to Angle. The only thing I can think of is that some local guy is either going to surprise Angle and beat him, or the local guy is going to be someone that we all know taking Kurt out. Otherwise I don’t get the Kurt Angle Invitational at all. I don’t understand why there was no Chavo, Billy Kidman, Spike or Big Show. Smackdown could have at least used to first three. Hell it could have used Big Show as well. Too much was lacking last night.
As you can see this in not a very upbeat column but I guess after my Tuesday column, the last two shows kind of brought me down. But that’s okay believe me I’ve watched worse. Also I’m so hyped because today, I bought my son the Rise and Fall of ECW for Christmas and guess who will be watching it right with him? Okay Sunday I’ll be back and talk about some of the hot rumors that are going around.
Email lindarobin3@yahoo.com
