Source: The Sun Online
By THE LILSBOYS
A WRESTLER is judged not only by how they perform in the ring but also how much they’re missed when they’re out of it.
And we think we speak for everyone when we say thank goodness Batista is back on Smackdown.
Although there has been some good wrestling on the Friday night show in recent weeks, its star power is almost non-existent.
A quick look at the WWE’s recent business report proves it.
Of their 165 contracted wrestlers, the McMahons list their biggest stars as Triple H, John Cena, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Rey Mysterio, Booker T, Big Show and Kane.
Of those 10 names, only four belong to Smackdown.
Taker is a part-timer who rarely appears on TV and it’s definitely wishful thinking on the WWE’s part to put Booker on the list ahead of the likes of WWE champion Edge, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Randy Orton or even Vince McMahon himself.
So before this week that left Rey Mysterio as Smackdown’s only real regular superstar – and Batista’s return underlined exactly how even he is being mishandled.
Two weeks ago Mark Henry – whose push alone shows the roster’s complete lack of depth – was beating up Chavo Guerrero.
Rey, Smackdown’s world champion and figurehead, came to his friend’s rescue and then… also got destroyed.
Imagine the same thing happening to John Cena or Steve Austin or Hulk Hogan or any WWE babyface champion in history.
It just wouldn’t.
Luckily for little Rey, Batista rode to the rescue this week.
Early in the show Mysterio cut a promo saying he was sorry he couldn’t save Chavo.
Then – after lots of clips, hype and the highest number of people tuning in for ages – it was time for the one man who can save Chavo, Mysterio and maybe even Smackdown.
Batista got a huge ovation as he came to the ring to challenge Henry, the man whose clumsiness it was that led to him missing months of action in the first place.
Mark initially came out to fight but then tried to leave, only to be stopped by Mysterio.
But rather than have Rey get the better of Henry and toss him into the ring, the world champion was beaten to a pulp again.
While Mysterio was getting medical attention, Batista finally got his hands on Mark – busting him wide open with a steel chair and set of ring steps.
That sets up a clash between the two at The Great American Bash PPV on July 23. Rey faces Booker T for the title on the same show, after Booker eliminated Matt Hardy and William Regal in a battle royal to become the No1 contender.
We doubt either will save the Bash from an appalling buy rate, but there are a few good things on Smackdown for Batista to return to.
JBL has been a revelation at the announce desk. He’s so good that Tazz, the man he replaced, seems stale on ECW by comparison.
Say what you like about his matches or bully boy reputation but Bradshaw is awesome on the mic.
JBL’s promos are often of Rock/Austin quality and if he resists the temptation to constantly put himself over on commentary then he could be the next Jesse Ventura.
Smackdown’s feeble roster has also allowed William Regal and Fit Finlay to show off their wrestling skills.
For purists like us it’s a treat watching the Staffordshire and Belfast born grapplers doing their things.
And just how good is Mini Fit?
When we heard Finlay was getting a leprechaun sidekick we complained loudly in this column.
But now we look forward to Mini Fit’s appearances as much as we do those of the big one.
He is hilarious when Finlay allows him out from under the ring, spending enough time on screen to add something to the match without sticking around too long to ruin it.
Bobby Lashley is also developing well by working with Finlay and Regal, and it’s good that necessity means we’re getting to see more of the cruiserweights and tag teams.
None of them have the star power of Batista though, which just leaves us with one question…
When is he moving to Raw?
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