Last week, Daniel Bryan escaped with his World Heavyweight Championship intact after drawing Mark Henry in for a DQ. This week, that won't be an option. He faces Big Show in a 3rd match, with no disqualifications and count-outs. Who will leave the arena tonight as the most important person on Friday nights? Also, the Great White Sheamus goes one-on-one with Jinder Mahal! Read on for my thoughts on the show as it happens.
Good opening video.
When was the last time Undertaker was even on Smackdown? He's all over the preview package.
I like that Daniel Bryan pays attention to the crowd and works them into the promo (pausing for them to boo). He's playing his role pretty well so far.
Oh, by the way, shout out to the guy on TMZ the other day who had that Daniel Bryan shirt on.
Hahahahaha, good lines going after the 'net fans in a wink, wink, nudge, nudge way.
I think they should go for Show vs. Henry vs. Bryan at the Rumble.
Hopefully as we get further into "heel Bryan" territory, Booker will drop him from the Fave Five for his change in attitude.
Good back and forth between Henry and Bryan. Bryan's getting a lot better with his expressions telling the story and showing that he's not as sure of himself as his words would indicate.
Seriously? NO ONE thought the submission expert with 10 years of experience would stand a chance against Show? I guess they want people to tune in for the main event to "see Show destroy Bryan and walk out with the title" (then Bryan could prove them wrong, etc.).
Gabriel vs. Slater again. I think it might be about time to give this one a rest.
Good expressions from both men.
Gabriel's really got some impressive offense.
They were also in the Corre.
Slater's got some pretty good swagger in there right now.
These two play off of each other pretty well. The cocky Slater wears him down, but is caught by the impressive flashy offense.
Nice Spinebuster!
Eh, Hornswoggle.
That 450 splash's always good for a reaction.
People really like Hornswoggle, and that will hopefully rub off on Gabriel.
AJ's really cute and adorable, but I say that every week. She's a perfect fit as the nervous, innocent girl next door with a crush.
Heck yeah, Cody Rhodes. This man could easily be World Champion by year's end.
Fantastic promo. I could buy him in Daniel Bryan's position. He's moving up in the world.
Surprisingly good start for these two.
"That proves nothing?" $#*@&!!!!!! Then what was the point? He beat a very decorated performer who still can perform well in the ring. That should be important!
Pretty good match. A little short for my liking, but both guys showed that they belong at this level. Don't count Zeke out yet.
Great video package for Edge. He had a damn good run. Good remarks from everyone.
Fitting ideas from Santino.
Otunga's a natural in his current role. He could evolve from the designated sacrificial lamb to the stars after all.
If it was Aksana, music would be playing and the lights would be different.
Sin City Smackdown's a good deal of a better name than Smackdown Roulette. I was kind of stuck at what they should call the concept.
Nice pizazz in DiBiase's look now. I like the appreciation for the Posse. It's a shame that person's sign wasn't legible.
I love that stupid bike so much.
Great start by McIntyre.
I wouldn't have seen DiBiase flying around like this previously. He's getting his career back on track.
Hunico talks pretty well and definitely stands out in his role. He's not just sitting there normally cutting as standard promo.
The arguments on commentary need to stop if they don't involve the talents.
Not a great microphone debut from the Samoan pretending to be Latino.
That spot felt like it took a little long.
DiBiase can move a good deal better than he did in the past. Nice hustle. Good match.
Maybe this is leading to a face turn for McIntyre? As long as he gets used well, I'll be fine with it I think.
I like both of these guys. Sheamus continues to ascend as a top name in WWE, and Jinder sounds more confident on the mic every week.
Jinder doesn't work like someone with less than a year of main roster experience. Give him time and I think he could be someone.
The numbers don't lie, etc..
Sheamus winning the Rumble and being put on the map would be more than ok with me.
He does have a LOT of experience in matches.
WOW, what a size difference.
Oooohhhh.... intriguing. Very good facial expressions from AJ and Bryan is really looking like a jerk now. More from this, please.
It looks like they're setting up for Bryan to turn on AJ if he has to choose between her and the title. As great of a babyface as she is, that could be HUGE for him as a dirtbag.
Triple H eliminating Mr. Perfect. Wow, that feels like forever ago.
I wish they'd introduce him that way, too.
Good little match. Otunga's growing a lot from NXT.
Wait. Is he going to wrestle tonight, too? Or are we getting another video package?
A little surprising that Clay's back on TV so soon. I figured they'd save this for Raw. There's more room for him on Smackdown, though, I think.
Hey, he's doing his best to make a goofy gimmick work.
Nice reactions from Tyson as always.
I blinked and missed that one.
If you're going to be a dancing doofus, be the best one you can be.
Aksana's angle is both stupid and hilarious all the same. I'm entertained at least.
I like the tale of the tape, but "shortest World Title reign ever" isn't much of an accomplishment.
Natalya's a solid actress.
Face Tamina's fine by me. I wish they would show that footage of why her character took a 180.
Someone call the farmers' market, because that was a freakin' squash.
Ha. Talk about your editing and quick cutaways.
Solid promo by Barrett. He made the most of his brief mic time. Really looking forward to that match.
Brodus Clay will fit in perfectly with next week's show I think.
Daniel Bryan's really growing into his role I see.
I get this weird feeling AJ's going to be involved in the finish here. Either a heel turn or as a human shield or something.
That was kind of a jerk move by Big Show. They should have painted it as thinking Bryan was going to try to put a hold on him.
Unfortunately, given how they've been booked, it's a lot more believable for Show to dominate Bryan than to start off kind of even.
Bryan's looking like a chump against Super-Show taking tons of chair shots. $%@& that.
If Big Show wins, we riot.
Are you serious? Bryan might as well be Santino here. He's the WORLD CHAMPION.
Can AJ bump or what?
While I think that did jack for Bryan's credibility (and could very well have made him less credible), I do think that was a good ending to set up a lot of sympathy for AJ. Follow-up will be VERY important here in how they use it to enhance Bryan as a character and a performer. I honestly don't know how they'll be able to accomplish that, but if they have a story in mind that can get Bryan super over in time, I pray it's executed well.
That's all for Smackdown. I'll be back for Raw on Monday. A news post will be up later tonight. Thanks for reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment