TomSmithUK
Occasional Pre-Show
Looking at the Draft, WWE has sent a lot of name power to Raw, as we already were aware they are trying to put more focus on the A-Show.
However, Smackdown has swelled with talent, and if these guys are given the ring time (something Smackdown has usually been better at than Raw), WWE could have some of the best Wrestling on TV.
The top of the card is quite thin, with the only Main Eventers being Edge, Jericho and the Undertaker. Possibly Kane and Jeff , although Kane is past his best and Jeff hasn't solidified his slot in the Main Event Scen. But even these 5 present 2 big time heels, Jericho is in the form of his career and Edge...is Edge. Neither Jeff nor Taker has feuded with Jericho, so that gives room for two potentially brilliant feuds (say what you want about Jeff, he stirs the crowd, and opposite Jericho, he's not going to have to carry the bout). I'm still not completely down on the Big Red Machine, I'd sooner him be the monster (Undertaker is not purely a monster) in the Main Event than The Great Khali.
Then you look down at an incredibly talented mid card.
Rey Mysterio - IC champion, so he will be the target man for a while. I know a lot of the online community resents Rey, because of his WHC title reign, and his increasingly unbelievable offence. But stick him back in the mid-card, where he belongs, and his performances will pick up. Personally I like him and he's crazy over with the kids, but he does belong on Smackdown.
C.M Punk - The Current Mr Money in the Bank, is another bridge between the mid card and main event. He's held the belt, and he has another golden opportunity to. I'm not sure how they'll handle the MitB this time, at first I was convinced he'd lose the opportunity after cashing it in similar to RVD. But my friend was at Smackdown, Wrestlemania, Raw on that weekend and said he saw more C.M Punk shirts than any other superstar, Cena included. This would logically mean he's in line for a push, and with the MitB and light Main Event scene, could put him near the top. Even if he doesn't make the Main event, there's the rest of the midcard, filled with heels and potential heels that he can have some good feud with and put on some good matches.
Morrison - One of the most talented guys on the roster, he has the look of a superstar, and can get a reaction from the crowd. Admittedly he needs to work on his Heel promos now he's on his own, needing to be more serious than he was on the Dirt Sheet, and obviously he can't attempt to be the same 'trippy' guy he was ECW champion. If he can get that, he could be a major player on Smackdown, he puts on good matches, he can put over a face (him vs Punk was one of my favourite feuds of recent times) and the WWE has faith in him. Always a good sign.
Shelton Benjamin - Dropped the US strap, is due a push to the Main Event, but will only do so if he can really stand out from this mid-card. He's athletic, as are a lot of the guys on Smackdown, and should be able to put on some good matches. I think this is all down to him, if he's content at mid card he'll stay there. If he pushes himself he could have a breakout year.
R-Truth - Is another guy crazy over with the younger fans, and so he shouldn't be reduced to jobbing too much. He has a lot of spots in his matches, but with his reduced TV time recently, you'd expect him to be touching up his basics, which were sometimes sloppy. He was enjoyable against Shelton Benjamin, and when he comes back, he'll be back with a bang.
Dolph Ziggler - The name is getting less stupid, but maybe only because I've seen some of the FCW names. He's athletic and has always impressed me on Raw, even when jobbing he has been given credibility, Batista, Jeff Hardy (the extreme rules match, put up more of a fight than Kendrick or Big Zeke). If he's given the ball I can see him running with it, and by that I mean, stops the stupid introduction thing.
Charlie Haas - Solid in ring, good mat technician, he still has no shred of charisma. Needs to either play the intense silent type or resign himself to jobbing. I personally think he's been around far too long for them not to think he can do something. I'd turn him heel and let him work a bit stiffer than the rest of the superstars to give him and edge.
Umaga - Will pick up where he left off before his injury. If he can return to his destroy everything (heel/face/whoever) he could be immense and be in the Main Event picture (I'd love him in say a scramble or chamber match, just because of the panic mentality that breaks out, especially amongst the heels).
These are just my personal opinions. But if the mid card is given a lot of time, they could put on some brilliant matches, and do their own careers as well as Smackdowns ratings a real shot in the arm.
However, Smackdown has swelled with talent, and if these guys are given the ring time (something Smackdown has usually been better at than Raw), WWE could have some of the best Wrestling on TV.
The top of the card is quite thin, with the only Main Eventers being Edge, Jericho and the Undertaker. Possibly Kane and Jeff , although Kane is past his best and Jeff hasn't solidified his slot in the Main Event Scen. But even these 5 present 2 big time heels, Jericho is in the form of his career and Edge...is Edge. Neither Jeff nor Taker has feuded with Jericho, so that gives room for two potentially brilliant feuds (say what you want about Jeff, he stirs the crowd, and opposite Jericho, he's not going to have to carry the bout). I'm still not completely down on the Big Red Machine, I'd sooner him be the monster (Undertaker is not purely a monster) in the Main Event than The Great Khali.
Then you look down at an incredibly talented mid card.
Rey Mysterio - IC champion, so he will be the target man for a while. I know a lot of the online community resents Rey, because of his WHC title reign, and his increasingly unbelievable offence. But stick him back in the mid-card, where he belongs, and his performances will pick up. Personally I like him and he's crazy over with the kids, but he does belong on Smackdown.
C.M Punk - The Current Mr Money in the Bank, is another bridge between the mid card and main event. He's held the belt, and he has another golden opportunity to. I'm not sure how they'll handle the MitB this time, at first I was convinced he'd lose the opportunity after cashing it in similar to RVD. But my friend was at Smackdown, Wrestlemania, Raw on that weekend and said he saw more C.M Punk shirts than any other superstar, Cena included. This would logically mean he's in line for a push, and with the MitB and light Main Event scene, could put him near the top. Even if he doesn't make the Main event, there's the rest of the midcard, filled with heels and potential heels that he can have some good feud with and put on some good matches.
Morrison - One of the most talented guys on the roster, he has the look of a superstar, and can get a reaction from the crowd. Admittedly he needs to work on his Heel promos now he's on his own, needing to be more serious than he was on the Dirt Sheet, and obviously he can't attempt to be the same 'trippy' guy he was ECW champion. If he can get that, he could be a major player on Smackdown, he puts on good matches, he can put over a face (him vs Punk was one of my favourite feuds of recent times) and the WWE has faith in him. Always a good sign.
Shelton Benjamin - Dropped the US strap, is due a push to the Main Event, but will only do so if he can really stand out from this mid-card. He's athletic, as are a lot of the guys on Smackdown, and should be able to put on some good matches. I think this is all down to him, if he's content at mid card he'll stay there. If he pushes himself he could have a breakout year.
R-Truth - Is another guy crazy over with the younger fans, and so he shouldn't be reduced to jobbing too much. He has a lot of spots in his matches, but with his reduced TV time recently, you'd expect him to be touching up his basics, which were sometimes sloppy. He was enjoyable against Shelton Benjamin, and when he comes back, he'll be back with a bang.
Dolph Ziggler - The name is getting less stupid, but maybe only because I've seen some of the FCW names. He's athletic and has always impressed me on Raw, even when jobbing he has been given credibility, Batista, Jeff Hardy (the extreme rules match, put up more of a fight than Kendrick or Big Zeke). If he's given the ball I can see him running with it, and by that I mean, stops the stupid introduction thing.
Charlie Haas - Solid in ring, good mat technician, he still has no shred of charisma. Needs to either play the intense silent type or resign himself to jobbing. I personally think he's been around far too long for them not to think he can do something. I'd turn him heel and let him work a bit stiffer than the rest of the superstars to give him and edge.
Umaga - Will pick up where he left off before his injury. If he can return to his destroy everything (heel/face/whoever) he could be immense and be in the Main Event picture (I'd love him in say a scramble or chamber match, just because of the panic mentality that breaks out, especially amongst the heels).
These are just my personal opinions. But if the mid card is given a lot of time, they could put on some brilliant matches, and do their own careers as well as Smackdowns ratings a real shot in the arm.
