To be honest I have hardly been able to watch Smackdown for quite a few months due to the fact that I normally go out on a Friday night and I am also normally out on a Saturday night trying to have some form of a life.
But since I was in Friday night I decided to sit myself down and watch Smackdown to see how it had come long since I last saw it.
Following on from Raw’s announcement this past Monday that there would be a Raw vs. Smackdown survivor series match at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on the 27th of November, Smackdown announced that they would hold four qualifying matches tonight to decided who would join Batista in the five-man team to face Raw’s team at the pay-per-view.
Understood all that? Good.
[Survivor Team Qualifier]
Randy Orton Vs. Rey Mysterio
Those of you who read my columns on a regular basis will be fully aware that I am not a Rey Mysterio fan, I will not use this review column to go into full details why I do not like Rey Mysterio, I’m sure I could fill a five-part column on that subject alone.
This was actually a very enjoyable match, despite the fact that there were several times when parts of the match were dragged on for a little bit too long.
The only think I will criticise about the match is the way it ended. I’m not talking about Cowboy Bob Orton interfering, that is what we expect, I’m talking about ending it in a disqualification for no apparent reason.
Surely it would have been a better finish to have Rey Mysterio sneak the win despite the cheating attempts from the Orton’s? Or maybe that just makes too much damn sense?
Rating: ***
winner: Rey Mysterio
[Survivor Team Qualifier]
Orlando Jordan Vs. Bobby Lashley
I have never seen this Bobby Lashley wrestle before, I have heard great things about him from fellow journalists and wrestling fans on internet forums and chat rooms. The main comment seems to be that he is a black version of Brock Lesnar.
And after watching this match I would have to agree and say that I can see a version of Brock Lesnar here, whether he has the wrestling ability of Brock Lesnar remains to be seen though.
This guy looks the strong silent type. How do you get this guy over? Easy, bring in Paul Heyman as his manager and have Heyman talk for him. Look what he did for Brock Lesnar when he first broke into the WWE.
The match was more or less an old school squash match as Bobby Lashley dominated the former United States champion from start to finish (what is up with Orlando Jordan’s hair!?).
Rating: **1/2
Winner: Bobby Lashley
[Survivor Team Qualifier]
Mr. Kennedy Vs. Eddie Guerrero
This was the last wrestling match I saw Eddie Guerrero in before I heard about his sad death. What a sad waste of a life, and at such a young age.
Eddie was his normal self in this match, which means that it was a thoroughly enjoyable bout. I could not help but laugh along at some of Eddie Guerrero’s antics in the ring, this is how I want to remember Latino Heat.
This was my first time seeing Mr. Kennedy inside a wrestling ring and I was not really that impressed to be honest. I will wait and see him a few more times before I pass judgement, but from whre I am sitting it seems like another drab midcard wrestlers going nowhere fast.
One more thing. Why does Mr. Kennedy say his surname twice? If anyone knows this then pleas email me the answer.
Rating: **1/2
Winner: Eddie Guerrero
[Junior Division]
Pierrothito Vs. Todd Stone
I am seriously still pondering whether this is a legitimate attempt by the WWE to put together a division of wrestlers that will put on decent matches, or an utter 100% piss take. I have yet to come to a conclusion of of yet.
Todd Stone looked absolutely petrified as he came down the ramp and also during the match, anyone would have thought that he had never wrestled in front of an audience before judging by his nervousness.
Not a very good match, the fans were not interested in it at all.
Rating: **
Winner: Pierrothito
[Survivor Team Qualifier]
John Bradshaw Layfield Vs. Chris Benoit
I was really enjoying this match right up until Booker T came out and brought his bloody wife with him. Who gave her a job in the first place? The woman is so bad she makes the fake divas, over on Raw, look like main event talent!
Every time I see Sharmell on camera I want to hurl something at the television just to take that stupid look off her face. and to stop her from talking like a complete idiot.
I like the storyline that is building between Booker T and Chris Benoit, hopefully a Survivor Series show down (WITHOUT SHARMELL) will help to elevate the pay-per-view and get people buying the event.
Once Booker T came out, with his annoying wife, the match inside the ring took a backseat. All we got were brief glimpses of the action in the ring and then it was back to Booker T and Sharmell at the announce table.
Rating: ** (would have been higher if I had seen more of the match!)
Winner: John Bradshaw Layfield
[Raw Vs. Smackdown Street Fight]
Batista Vs. Edge
This match never really got going.Edge pulled out and then Batista got attacked by Big Show and Kane. Apparently Batista cannot bump properly because he tore a muscle in his chest/shoulder, which means he will be out for a good few months and he will be stripped of the title.
It is refreshing to see them building up the Raw versus Smackdown feud. Normally hardly an effort is put into it.
Not a bad show, compared to what I have seen from Smackdown in the past. Although I have not seen Smackdown for a good few months I have been told that the product is improving these days …… but I wonder how big a hole the death of Eddie Guerrero will have left….
Until next time.
