TheOneBigWill's 'take' on Friday Night Smackdown: July 25th, 2008:
Opening Segment: M.V.P.'s V.I.P. Lounge is set-up and kicks the show off.Tonight's guest is the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy. M.V.P. does his fair share of running Hardy down a lil' bit, until he gets to the point of mentioning the Main Event #1. Contender's Battle Royal tonight, and proclaims himself the odd's on favorite to win.
At that point, Jeff mocks M.V.P. in saying he has no clue how M.V.P. could be the odds on favorite, when he hasn't even seen him win a match since dropping the United States Championship to his brother, Matt Hardy. M.V.P. seems upset that he'd take the time to invite a guest on his show, only to be mocked so M.V.P. says Jeff hasn't had the best record either.
M.V.P. plugs the newest W.W.E. Magazine, then asks Jeff if he wants to explain to the fans what all it talks about, including his mistakes. Hardy says that it's time to move on (more or less) and that he made a mistake and it won't happen again. He said he got a 60 day suspension, and missed Wrestlemania because of it. M.V.P. rebuttals about something regarding Hardy making the mistake again, to which Hardy said he knows he won't be cause he won't get suspended again, he'll get released.
M.V.P. says that that's the type of attitude he was talking about, where Hardy doesn't seem to care and just goes by with life, without trying anymore. M.V.P. mentions the suspension not being the only bad moment in his life recently, and then mentions the home, or trailer, of Hardy's that caught on fire and the loss of the dog.
Hardy seems very upset and wants to know what exactly M.V.P. is getting at. At this point, I don't exactly know how dropped the script, but neither man seemed to know what to do next, so M.V.P. says calm down, and Hardy shoves M.V.P. outside the ring, then seems enraged all of the sudden.
The Matches:
1. Non-Title: Shelton Benjamin v. Jimmy Wang Yang: Before the match, Benjamin cuts a promo on becoming the New United States Champion. I'm sorry, but anyone who's high on him and the possibility that he could've changed from when he was last a Champion to now.. no, it's just not apparently happened. If anything, his mic skills seem to have gotten worse. The biggest part of his promo, was him using his tagline of "I told ya'll, ain't no stoppin' me NOW!"
The match itself was somewhat botch filed as well, which makes me truly wonder how much may have been edited, or rearranged by the camera. Benjamin is a great athlete and I'll never question that, ever. But the fact is, he's hit or miss on having a great match without mistakes, and lately it's been against him more than with him.
In the end, a great series of missed roundhouse kicks, only for Benjamin to hit the "Pay Dirt" finisher out of nowhere.
2. Festus (w/ Jesse) v. Curt Hawkins (w/ Zach Ryder): I'm going to wildly assume Jesse and Festus will be the first team (or rather only) to challenge Hawkins and Ryder at some point. This was a completely one-sided match, with Festus completely dominating one half of the Tag Team Champions.
It seems W.W.E.'s latest idea for their Champions is to push the idea that they can't show they're worth anything until their title's are on the line. This match was very short, and very one sided. Ryder attempted to (I only assume) go for the ring bell, only to be stopped by Jesse. In the ring, Festus hits his flapjack finisher and picks up the victory.
After the match, since the bell sounded and Festus went back to being helpless and unaware, Hawkins and Ryder took their revenge, laying their opponents out and leaving with a minor victory.
3. Vladimir Kozlov v. Stevie Richards: Apparently this is the hometown of Richards, afterall they are in E.C.W. country. Kozlov seems to have met his match, well at least up until this point, as Richards gets in more offense against Kozlov in this match then it's quite possible anyone else has done combined.
In the end, it's still a very one sided match, with Kozlov defeating Richards in the end. He (Kozlov) then argues with the announce crew, but since I don't speak Russian, I have no idea what about
4. (Unofficial Main Event) "The Biggest Block Party of the Summer" Battle Royal: The Big Show v. Jeff Hardy v. M.V.P. v. Umaga v. Mr. Kennedy v. The Great Khali: All 6 men begin the match, well kinda. Hardy rushes toward M.V.P., who jumps out of the ring and waits to pick his spot. Meanwhile, Umaga and the Big Show pair off, while Jeff Hardy and Mr. Kennedy work over the Great Khali.
In a match to determine who'll face Triple H. at Summerslam, it seems the odd's on favorite is Jeff Hardy, followed by Mr. Kennedy and the Big Show. The match itself is your typical finale of a battle royal/Royal Rumble type event. Hardy finally gets his hands on M.V.P., which leads to his elimination.
Umaga and Big Show continue their encounter, which leads to Umaga's elimination. Kennedy attempts his chances against the Big Show, but follows suit from Umaga and gets dumped as well. This leaves Big Show, Khali and Hardy. Only for Show to drop Khali, then get dropped by a returning Umaga.
Hardy goes to the top, Show slowly gets to his feet, Hardy leaps, Show catches, Hardy dumps Show over the top leaving it to be Khali and Hardy, with Khali still laid out. Hardy hits a Swanton but that isn't enough to stop the monster, as Khali returns with offense later, including a chop, and then an elimination of Jeff Hardy. Your winner, and Number One Contender.. The Great Khali!
After the match, Triple H. makes an appearance, stares down Khali and watches as Khali leaves the ring and backs away.
5. Non-Title: Michelle McCool v. Maryse: Yet another seemingly one-sided match, as this is McCool's first match since winning the Championship, yet the title isn't on the line. Maryse gets a couple average moves in, but in the end it's McCool making Maryse tap out to the crappy leg submission of her's.
6. The Brain Kendrick w/ Ezekiel v. Shannon Moore: Even though the Battle Royal was the apparent Main Event match, we still had two matches go on afterward. This was the last match of the night, which technically makes IT, the Main Event match. At any rate..
Kendrick cuts a promo (that eclipses anything Benjamin could do) in saying that what people are seeing is (more or less) a historical moment. They can later in life tell their Grand-kids that they were once able to see THE Brian Kendrick in action. He goes on to say how he believes he's the fastest, most athletic, and overall the most intelligent wrestler there. So what he did, was went out and got himself some protection.. Ezekiel. He goes on to say anyone stupid enough to try and mess with him, is going to have to get through Ezekiel first. This leads us to the entrance of Shannon Moore.
It's important that I mention this, before the match, the announcer's actually deemed Kendrick the newest version of Brain Pillman. I can not tell you how happy that made me.
We finish out the night with our final one sided and yet again under average short match. Kendrick controls the opening pace, until Moore gets a very slight bit of advantage until Ezekiel evens things back out and in the end, it's Kendrick hitting Sliced Bread, which has found itself with an apparent new name in "The Kendrick".
Segments/Promos:
Edge/Edgeheads: Edge shows his congrats to the New Tag Team Champions, and even calls them his kids. Neither Hawkins or Ryder seem to care, as Edge says that he feels he should apologize to them. Both stop him, and say that he doesn't have to, as they slightly blow him off in saying they have a match. As they leave, Edge seems confused.
R-Truth Promo: Apparently Ron "The Truth" Killings has found himself a new home, and that's going to be Smackdown. A promo is aired on the Truth's home of North Carolina, apparently the slums of N. Carolina that is. He speaks on paying for his crimes, and learning a lesson. This really got me remembering Rikishi's old "Fatu" gimmick.
Maria Promo: Yet another Maria debuting next week video is shown, let's see if this time it actually happens. I'm willing to think yes, but I'm also willing to think it won't be nearly important enough to have played a debut video for it.
Chavo Guerrero/Vickie Guerrero/Bam Neely: As Chavo is talking with Vickie about getting better, Bam comes in from talking to Edge and ends up forgetting exactly what Edge said. He said Edge is going to the ring, and wants Vickie to come out. He said either he's going to apologize to Vickie, or he wants Vickie to apologize to him. Seems to me like Chavo, Neely and the Edgeheads are all trying to figure out which side to play, for a better push.
Ending Segment: Edge comes to the ring, as he has some things to get off his chest. Edge wants to apologize to his lovely Wife, Victoria?!
Looks like he's married another.. oh, no, no, wait, wait.. it's still Vickie. The amount of heat both of these individuals get is amazing, and it's hilarious because Vickie is suppose to be seen as the tweener/face right now, yet she's being wheeled to the ring by Chavo and Neely.
Edge explains that what the video that played a week ago didn't show, was how many times Edge tried to say no. Alicia apparently forced herself onto Edge. He explains that he didn't leave, because he wanted to make sure everything was going to be perfect for the wedding. (So he attempted to, or did, sleep with the Wedding Planner to achive that.) Edge can't go on without Vickie's love, as you can see him chipping away at getting to her.
Vickie replies with understanding, and she seems happy again. At this point, they embrace and it seems that all is well again.. until...
She suddenly realizes she's a female, and starts trying to control the situation again. Vickie says when she was extremely upset at Edge, she did something he likely won't like. Edge says he understands and wants to know what.. Vickie.. BROUGHT BACK THE UNDERTAKER!!!! Oh, the fans loved that one.. still hate her, but loved the decision. lol
Edge tries to understand, and says that the move was good business. Edge says that the Undertaker and Triple H. can destroy each other, while they go on their honeymoon and whoever wins he'll pick the bones and he'll take back his Championship. Vickie thinks it's a great idea, with one small issue.. the Undertaker already has an opponent for Summerslam.. Edge!!! Oh, again the fans go wild with loving the decision.. still hating her, loving the decision though.
Edge seems a bit upset, and asks if she means it. She does, and it'll be inside Hell in a Cell as Vickie gives the most fucked up "wicked laugh" possible. The show ends on that note, along with the fans chanting for the Undertaker.
Overall Thoughts: At what point did we return to having 5 squash matches, and a Main Event in the middle of the show? Benjamin & McCool both capitalize on their Championship success. Hawkins and Ryder fall short, but end with the last laugh. Kozlov is still defeating guys that are way lesser than he is and Kendrick has another great outting, but in a way that isn't pushing him greatly..
I knew the Great Khali was going to win the instant I noticed Ranjin Singh back with him. The last time we seen Singh was during the Elimination Chamber, and Khali hasn't truly done a lot since. Now that he's once again with a mouth piece, he's even more of a threat to the Heavyweight Championship.
I'm unsure what they're doing with the Big Show, Umaga, M.V.P. and Mr. Kennedy, as it seems all four individuals are just randomly wandering from show to show, without an overall purpose. Meanwhile, again, Khali gets a Championship push and takes a huge amount of criticism over it. While I understand people feel anyone like M.V.P., Kennedy, Jeff Hardy and even Umaga could've been a better choice.
The fact is with Triple H. likely taking time off for the new child being born, this leaves the door open for him to get laid out and "injured" by Khali, likely on next week's show, which will give Khali an instant one way ticket to being worthy of being in the Main Event, and Triple H. won't have to be on another Smackdown (barring promos) until the p.p.v.
So, Victoria and Natalya are held off the show, and the heel that gets the first chance at McCool, is Maryse? I'd rather have seen Maria return with the fricken kiss cam. At least then I'd see some action.
I hope Benjamin's path is revealed soon, because I'm definately going to start dropping in respect for the guy if he just goes from show to show defending against no one over and over. I'm hoping that at Summerslam, a possible Fatal 4 Way could happen, with Benjamin, Hardy, M.V.P. and Kennedy. That'd be the match of the night, on a card that's already taking a great shape with the edition of Edge v. Undertaker, Hell in a Cell.
I can't express how much I'm huge on THE Brian Kendrick aka the next Brian Pillman right now. This guy has a ton of charisma, and I'm still concerned with why he didn't get the nod that Lance Cade is wasting away on Raw. Kendrick with the role he has, tied into that storyline could've produced a lot better. And Kofi Kingston on Raw is the perfect opponent for Kendrick as well, whereas on Smackdown, he really doesn't have anyone short of Jeff Hardy, or Mr. Kennedy. And if either of them lose to Kendrick, especially soon.. it'll hurt them more than anything.
I'm unsure if Vickie and Edge made up, or if Vickie turned on Edge. Because if at the end of Hell in a Cell, Vickie brings out the rest of La' Familia' and we get yet another 5 on 1 beat-down of the Undertaker, then we're right back to where we were three monthes ago.. with the edition of Triple H., who I'm sure won't stay out of it for long.
In the end,
the show gets a 4 outta 10 from me. Too many squash matches with no meaning. A Main Event in the middle of the show, and the ending segment being the reinstatement of someone who should've actually came out, or had his music sound, or something.. but rather didn't, and instead ended on the note of Vickie trying to laugh wickedly and only came off sounding very badly.