Let the build up for The Great American Bash continue. Smackdown did a great job with their hype for the pay per view. I thought this was a much better show than last week’s and with just a few exceptions Smackdown was a very enjoyable show to watch. Just like so many Smackdown’s of late we got a lot of strong matches. But I will start with the segments that I didn’t care for and then I can’t wait to talk about many of the positive things that we got last night.
Again I could not get into Chuck Palumbo, his motorcycle or his match. I hate to be so close minded about him, but the gimmick to me is quite cheesy and as I said last week the fact that I see absolutely no charisma in him just turns me off. This was the worst of Smackdown. Now this might surprise you but I didn’t mind Mark Henry taking out Eugene. In fact the way that Henry is being used is perfect. I didn’t even mind Deuce, Domino and Cherry backstage with Eugene. Yet I still think if that gimmick was finished I might feel a lot differently about D&D. Eugene is still stale so I guess this wasn’t a favorite segment of mine, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
As I said at the beginning of my column we were treated to very solid matches last night. The first was the opener with Matt Hardy vs. Chris Masters. Everything was right with the opener. Not only did Hardy and Masters put on a very good match, but MVP sitting with JBL and Cole really shined on the mic. MVP has grown week after week not only on the mic but in the ring and I think he has turned into a terrific heel. And Matt Hardy is becoming such a major player on Smackdown. This might sound weird to you but when he came out last night I got goose-bumps. In my opinion Matt has made such a major impact on Raw as well as on Smackdown. And for once it seems like WWE is ready to put a lot of focus on Matt. And while many of you know that I’m not a Chris Masters fan, he showed that he can wrestle and believe me I have known that for a while. But when they continue to just put him out there to show off the Master-Lock that’s when I just close my eyes and wait for the next segment. So here’s what I would do.
They want to keep that Master-Lock going, then fine. Why not have Masters wrestle full matches with top talent and have him show some life in him and then maybe just maybe I can enjoy watching this man. This match and then the attack on Matt Hardy by Masters and MVP was just a sweet way to get things going. I guess it’s safe to say that this set the tone for a very good show. I have to hand it to the Major Brothers. Two weeks in a row they have shown me a lot in the ring. Their match against Chavo and Jamie Noble was actually one of the best of the night. But, there is one thing that concerns me about Bret and Brian. I don’t want to see the Major’s become clones of Deuce and Domino. By that I mean I don’t want these guys just sent out to the ring week after week. I want to see what they have to offer on the mic and I want to see them interact with other talent. Deuce and Domino came to Smackdown, wrestled and that was it. There was absolutely no build up with their characters until later on. I believe Deuce and Domino have suffered from lack of any build up and very little mic time. The Majors need to interact with other talent and we need to see if these guys have personality to go with their good wrestling skills.
The next match, Finlay vs. Jimmy Wang Yang was another top match. You have to figure with Finlay and Yang in the ring you are going to get a hell of a match. It was nice to see Yang in a match like this and not buried by the Master-Lock like the week before. This match was outstanding and we even got Hornswoggle to show up and attack Yang. Oh yeah this all worked for me. You know who I like? I bet you will never guess this answer. I like Khali’s translator. The guy is so smooth and so comfortable in this role that I find him really fun to watch. I thought he came off so well trying to get Vickie Guerrero to cancel the Batista/Khali match. This guy definitely has something.
And while we are on the Khali subject, that contract signing with the giant and Batista was short and very sweet. I can’t say that their match next week will be much but in just two short weeks the chemistry is there, and I love the fire that Batista is showing and Khali is getting thumbs up from me as well. Also watching Khali throw the stairs in the ring at Batista and then having Batista throw the stairs right back at Khali along with the chairs and table not only got the hot New Orleans, La., crowd going but it got me going too. I totally loved this segment. The next match with Victoria vs. Torrie Wilson surprised me in a good way. I think by far this was the best match that Torrie has ever been in. It’s sad when you have such a good wrestler like Victoria and no one close to her status to feud with. So for now Torrie is Victoria’s victim. But she really showed me a lot last night. And along with the great job that Victoria did I totally was into this match.
And finally you have to hand it to Edge. I thought he came through in every segment that he was in, but he really showed his obnoxiousness when he came out for his Mardi Gras party. His actions were hysterical. And Kane played a nice part in all of this as well. Just like the Batista and Khali match at GAB, I’m not sure if their match will be much but at least it’s been fun watching these two in the last two weeks. And Edge and Kane going at it at the end topped off a very good show. I just want to add that I missed Ric Flair last night. In case you haven’t read the latest, Flair is out right now because of an injury to his ear. How long he will be off TV I don’t know but I hope he returns very soon.
At least Smackdown was a lot better than Monday’s Raw. Before I go I would just like to mention that many of you have asked me if I plan on ordering GAB. I hadn’t planned on ordering it a month ago, but I have changed my mind and yes I will order GAB. The reason I’m ordering it is to show my support to WWE and Vince McMahon. I am not saying that Vince McMahon is a Saint, but no way do I blame McMahon for what happened to Chris Benoit. And to show my loyalty I will be home watching GAB. Okay I will be back with my Raw thoughts on Tuesday.
Email lindarobin3@yahoo.com
