In an attempt to sum up all things "SmackDown!" this week, I decided to blatantly rip off my O Show colleagues.So, I give to you Tha O's and No's Edition of "Talkin' Smack!". Enjoy.
Tha O's:
Paul London and Brian Kendrick
What more needs to be said? Not only are these guys two of the best high flyers in the history of the business, but they have put the WWE Tag Team Titles back on the map. They have held those titles for damn near almost a year and hats off to the E for believing in these guys. We all know Vince's track record with cruiserweights. Perhaps it has something to do with both of them being students of Shawn Michaels.
Either way, London and Kendrick deserve everything they've achieved as they continue to defy all odds. I thought for sure Deuce and Domino had those titles! Congrats to the E for keeping me guessing.
William Regal and Dave Taylor
Again, this O not only goes to Regal and Taylor, but also to the E for making them important again. How many times can you remember guys the size of Regal and Taylor take it to Kane? Granted it took two men, but with the Kane character, we're conditioned to not believe anyone short of Khali caliber can do damage to the "Big Red Machine". A Regal and Taylor program not only keeps the Kane character fresh, but it gives the Brits a chance to showcase just how legit tough they truly are.
Mr. Kennedy and FinlayNot only do these guys tear it down in the ring, but they also tore it down on the mic last night. The Kennedy babyface turn can't be far off. Scrap that. If crowd reaction is blatantly ignored the way it is for John Cena, Kennedy will still be a heel three years down the road. If they decide to listen, however, the Kennedy chants have begun.
Again, props to both of these guys for keeping the heel role and fresh and innovative. They both typify the "tweener" role fans don't get treated to nearly enough. It sucks that their match was called off, but I choose to kayfabe blame Teddy Long for that.
Chris Benoit and MVP
These guys stole the show last night as they continue to put on classic matches for the United States Championship. Is anyone still not convinced MVP is a future world champion? This guy has it all: charisma, athleticism, and he can hang hold for hold with Chris Benoit!
Benoit is legit one of the best wrestlers in the history of the business, and I'm glad to see the E letting him run with the ball just a little bit longer. I still maintain, however, it's only a matter of time before MVP wears United States gold around his waist. In the meantime we can enjoy two of the best performers in the game today showcasing their talents to make the U.S. title mean something again.Tha Wrestling!
It's been talked about a lot as of late here on Tha O Show, but it bares repeating. "SmackDown!" showcases actual wrestling. It's so simple, yet it seems the E refuses to believe it. Wrestling fans want to see wrestling! I'm not saying there's no room for entertainment in "sports entertainment", but an appropriate balance must be struck. That balance has been successfully attained on "SmackDown!". When "SmackDown!" delivers, it reminds me of the "Clash of the Champions" in WCW's hey day.
Brand Exclusiveness
Is "exclusiveness" a word? (Editor's note: Yep, it's a word. You could also have used "exclusivity".) Screw it. This last episode of "SmackDown!" featured only talent exclusive to the "SmackDown!" brand. I can't remember the last time that's actually happened! It may not seem important to all of my fellow O-sters, but I believe in the brand extension.
Having said that, I think it's very important that the brands are actually kept separate and exclusive. "SmackDown!" has enough talent in their locker room without bringing in enhancement talent from other brands. With guys like Gregory Helms on the roster, there's no reason why he shouldn't be featured weekly on television.
JBL
We all know I'm a huge JBL mark and I've put him over at length many times before in this column, so I'll keep this one short.
Michael Cole: "What a double team maneuver!"
JBL: "That was a double Japanese armdrag, Michael." Enough said.
Tha NO's:
Teddy LongI know it's extremely difficult to be an entertaining babyface commisioner/general manager. In fact, the only guy that ever truly pulled it off was the imcomparable Mick Foley. Having said that, Teddy Long is extremely difficult to watch. "SmackDown!" has a tendancy to let things run it course way too long. Teddy Long is a dinosaur. He needs to become extinct. What the hell is going on with him and Krystal? I don't get it, I don't believe it, I don't care, and it's a waste of two minutes.
Here's an idea: If the E insists on having Teddy in the general manager role, turn him heel when they bring Mark Henry back in. They have history together and we all know Henry could use a little help in the entertainment department. Problem solved. Don't hold your breath.
Batista
While I've gone at length defending him in the past, that was the worst sit out power bomb I've ever seen. I get that he was selling the punishment he recieved in the match, but come on. The Batista Bomb is supposed to be and was in the past absolutely devastating. If he continues to phone it in, I'm just not buying it. I'm not sure if his babyface run his simply run its course or Batista simply isn't as passionate as he once was, but I agree with the vocal majority of O-sters that Batista has lost his edge.
7 comments: on "Talkin' Smack! - Tha O's And NO's Edition"
Thanks for a great piece Ben...rip us off anytime.
"SmackDown!" continues to be the best wrestling show on TV. End of story.
Ben, welcome to the force, I'm glad you chose to walk away from the darkside.
Seriously though, that Batista bomb did look terrible, and did you see how awkwardly his left leg planted into the mat on the way down? He's a hazard to himself, and if he keeps executing moves like that he's going to rip yet another muscle.
Great article, and I couldn't agree more.
MVP is the mutha fuckin truth..when he first came, i thought he was terrible..boy did he prove me and the world wrong
I'm entirely convinced that the E is going to try to package Kennedy and MVP as the new-age Austin and Rock (respectively).
I like the Deuce and Domino gimmick. I think they're a pair of good workers, and I think they can put on a great match. I'd like to see them win the titles eventually, but I'd like to see London and Kendrick hold onto the title for a little while longer before the E brings the belts to "the other side of the tracks". By the way, if you're going to sell a 50's greaser gimmick, that is a really clever kayfabe place to bill them from.
I like Teddy Long as the GM, simply because it seems the E is able to fit more wrestling and a more entertaining program around an on-screen power persona when he's a face. Remember back when SmackDown! was hot in late 2002 and 2003? Stephanie McMahon was the GM, and she was played off as a face. Heyman and Angle succeeded her as the kayfabed GM's, and for some reason, the product went down the toilet as it happened. Long comes over, the product got better again. How or why this happens, I'm not sure, but for some reason, SmackDown! creative seems to put out a better product when they have a face GM. They turn Long heel, or replace him with a heel GM, that show will magically find its way back down the shitter.
Who gives a fuck if the gimmick looks forced. His dancing is dope, and it's a very small price to pay for the superior product that is SmackDown!
The only consideration the E should be giving Henry right now is making sure he doesn't get injured when the door hits him in the ass on the way out.
I believe that Mark Henry could be believable, just not as quick as they pushed it last time around. Mark Henry needs to be far from TV right now, as he's gained about 10,000 more lbs. He needs to get back down to a managable weight, maybe even lose from what he's been during his other pushes. That way he'd be more agile, more moveable, and maybe more usable. Keep away from programs with the Mysterio types, because that was just absurd, and everybody knows that Rey is and has been the "Giant Killer" since around '99.
The thing about heel and face GM's, is in my opinion, the heel GM is very good when there is a face champion trying to get over, and they try to get them over by giving them an Austin-Mcmahon storyline, that let's face it was played out with Austin-Mcmahon. See John Cena and Eric Bischoff. Nobody really cared, and most don't now.
As far as MVP and Kennedy go, Kennedy is leaps and bounds ahead of MVP, but MVP is moving towards where he needs to be. If he's going to continue to be Montel Vontavious Porter, he has GOT to drop the power ranger shit. He's not Terrell Owens, so people don't buy nor do they really care about him coming out of an inflatable tunnel, and having diamonds and crystals on his singlet and his boots. It's overkill for a character that could stand alone if given the chance, but they are trying to hard with MVP.
Duece and Domino could get to a point where they are true contenders, but they have yet to put on a great match. Jimmy Snuka Jr, and his partner John Travolta Jr aren't where they should be, but I will give the E credit at least they are giving focus, and a spot to tag teams.
Hey Plunkett...check ur email bro.
I think the whole reason a face GM works during a period like this is because when you have a heel GM what do you expect? Run-ins, gimmick matches, unfair advantages, etc. I think that the fans out there are kinda tired of that and just want to see good competitive wrestling without the bullshit excuses.
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