One of my friends that attended Smackdown and Raw Monday night told me that I would like Smackdown better than Raw. He was right, I really enjoyed the show last night, and everything seemed to click, well just about everything. Some of the highlights for me were commentary by two funny guys, another cool segment, and a tag team with promise. Yeah Smackdown definitely came off as the better show this week.
The show opened with Big Show vs. Booker T. This was a WWE title shot tournament match. I’m going say right off that it was JBL and cocky Kurt Angle that really added to this match. Both men came out and sat with Tazz and Michael Cole. Kurt Angle and JBL both shined while Book and Show were going at it in the ring. The match itself was better than I thought it would be but it was Angle and JBL that the focus was on. Both guys went back and forth trash talking each other and then they seemed to find something in common. They figured out that a DQ would eliminate Big Show and Booker. So the wheels where set in motion. Trust me the humor from Kurt and JBL made this really fun to watch. Yes Angle and JBL got involved once Big Show and Booker ended up on the floor by the announce desk. Kurt and JBL went after Show and Booker and their wish was answered, the ref called a DQ and JBL and Angle were two happy guys. The two guys that weren’t happy were Booker and Show and they both were able to throw Angle and JBL back in the ring, but Kurt and Bradshaw escaped and smiled all the way back to the entrance.
Unfortunately their merriment didn’t last. My man Theodore Long came out and immediately put JBL and Angle in their place. Next week Smackdown will have JBL vs. Kurt Angle vs. Booker T vs. Big Show in a fatal four-way to determine who will get the title shot against John Cena. Of course Angle and JBL were fuming about his decision so Long added one more little thing and that would be a tag team match with Angle/JBL vs. Big Show and Booker later in the show. This just flowed so well, and I loved how the MSG fans really seemed to get so involved while all of this was going on. The opening definitely set the tone for a really good show. Carlito Caribbean Cool was totally awesome last night. Now I heard the crowd chanting his name and like Cool it totally caught me off guard. He handled their “love” for him by immediately putting New York and New Yorker’s down. It all worked so well. I enjoyed watching Carlito with his guest Eddie Guerrero. Just like last week, Carlito did all he could do to get things going between Eddie and Rey Mysterio. He replayed the video with MNM attacking Rey, and then asking Eddie where was when Rey was getting attacked? Carlito is just so perfect for Carlito’s Cabana. Right now CCC definitely adds so much to Smackdown.
Now Eddie called Rey out and explained to him what has been going on in Eddie’s mind. He told Rey that getting back the belt that he won a year ago in New York was all that he wanted. And because of car trouble last week he wasn’t able to get to the show on time and help Rey out. He asked for Rey’s forgiveness and then with a little hesitation Rey shook hands with Eddie. I liked Eddie really putting the emphasis on the WWE title I really could feel his passion for that title. All of a sudden MNM show up on the screen and challenge Rey and Eddie to a tag team title match. Melina again did a nice job on the mic, and all three did an even better job spray painting Eddie’s car. Since Eddie demanded that they come face to face and make the challenge, MNM took it upon themselves to spray paint their initials on Eddie’s car. I don’t have to tell you how distraught Eddie was and along with Rey they ran backstage hoping to get their hands on the trio. But that didn’t happen. Eddie said that they would pay for what they did. So the tag match was set. And this is one match I couldn’t wait to see.
I’m kind of excited, well maybe excited isn’t the word but it seems like the Bashams are going to turn face. I can’t say it’s definite but after Orlando Jordan got in their faces, Danny Basham really seemed like he was getting tired of being treated like crap by Jordan Mr. CEO and JBL. I would love to see these guys have a go at being faces. I’m interested to see how this continues to play out. Now Matt Morgan is back. Remember when out of the blue he was added to Team Lesnar at the 2003 Survivor Series?
And after that pay per view we saw him just a few times. Then Matt was sent back to OVW and last night he came back to Smackdown. While I think the stuttering gimmick leaves a lot to be desired, I won’t bash his wrestling. Yes his match was against a jobber, and yes it was a squash, but for the few minutes that I watched him, he seemed quick and he showed me that he has a lot of promise. They need to dump the stuttering and put more emphasis on showcasing his wrestling.
One of my favorite matches last night was Angle and JBL vs. Booker and Big Show. I thought this was a really strong match. Again Booker’s wife Sharmell just adds to his enthusiasm. He has really been looking refreshed and alive. Big Show had his moments. This match had a lot going for it, really good wrestling and Kurt Angle leaving JBL alone with Big Show and watching Show choke slamming JBL for the win. That sure put a nice big smile on Kurt. Just a really good match. Okay now last week I said I enjoyed John Cena’s promo because so much was about my hometown Chicago. So I can understand if the fans from the New York area found John Heidenreich’s segment with the Brooklyn Brawler entertaining. But for me? It was a waste of time, and if Heidenreich turns face, it still doesn’t change the fact that he really doesn’t seem to have it in the ring, and to push him as a comic/poetic doesn’t sit well with me. I would say this was the weakest segment of the whole show. Things definitely improved when MNM got their title shot against Rey and Eddie.
I liked this match, and while Johnny Nitro might need some work, I was very happy to see MNM win the tag belts and win them with Melina grabbing on to Eddie keeping him out of the ring, and giving Nitro and Mercury the chance to double team Rey while the ref was too busy watching Melina in Eddie’s arms. Mercury got the win, and Rey and Eddie I believe are no longer friends. Eddie was so upset with Rey that he pushed Rey down and left. Rey came right back and pushed Eddie down and left. So I think it’s fair to say the Eddie and Rey feud has now officially started. MNM posing with their new tag belts for the paparazzi was a nice touch. I think the more that Mercury/Nitro get to wrestle the more the fans are going to really want to see them each week. John Cena gave a very awesome promo last night. It was especially touching for the New York fans, but his mic work was very strong. I wish I could say that about his match against Orlando Jordan. I didn’t think much of this match at all. It should never have been the main event. The Bashams did play a part in this. Doug accompanied Jordan, but noticeably missing was Danny. Doug tried to help out but got Cena’s F’U for all his trouble. Danny did make his way out and hit Cena with the belt but Jordan wasn’t able to benefit by the shot. Then Cena whipped Jordan into Danny knocking him off the apron. Oh I think Danny has had just about enough of all of this. I’m sure there’s more to follow. Cena won and the crowd went crazy and as I said Smackdown definitely delivered.
I will be back on Sunday with some hot rumors. And I want to just add one thing. Since Christian’s outstanding interaction with Vince McMahon on Raw this week, I am getting so much feedback all pro Christian. Some are long time fans others saw Christian in a whole new light, and loved what they saw. I have really enjoyed reading the comments all good about his performance on Monday night.
Email lindarobin3@yahoo.com
