Friday Night Fallout: Shaking It Up

As has been discussed over the last few weeks the WWE is shaking things up. Thank God for that because things were more stale than month old Wonder Bread. That has all changed and another thing that has changed is that there was absolutely no mid-card on “SmackDown” but now “SmackDown” has a mid-card, and they utilize it.

Improvements are everywhere, and though not perfect the WWE is head and shoulders above where it was around a month ago. Workers that needed to be used are being used and used better. Workers that needed less time are being given less time and things seem to be moving in the right direction. This week’s edition of “SmackDown” was no different.

When it comes to the world of professional wrestling there aren’t many guys who can do it as well as Edge. Edge is on a level not many guys reach. He’s a five time World Champion though his reigns aren’t the longest we’ve seen, but he gets his point across. He plays his part to the fullest and he never gets a silent reaction.

Some would argue that there are others who have done a better job as heels but I’m hard pressed to think of anyone who has done as good a job on a consistent level. He worked the crowd so well on this edition of “SmackDown” they really didn’t know which way to turn. They tried to cheer and then they were forced to boo. That’s how you work a crowd.

Shelton Benjamin’s use in recent months has been as questionable as the decision to invent one-ply toilet paper. On this weeks edition of “SmackDown” however that all changed when Shelton Benjamin defeated United States Champion Matt Hardy. Benjamin showcased the skills that got him to where he is, and he also hit his spots and drew a decent amount of heat.

One of the most intriguing aspects of all this was the commentary from Jim Ross and Mick Foley. They basically obliterated the wall of kayfabe discussing what has gone on, according to the dirt-sheets, backstage with Shelton Benjamin. Saying that Benjamin was unhappy with his progression up the card, and also saying that his actions controlled where he would go.

I know that today that isn’t as uncommon as it was, but it did serve as a great backdrop to the match at hand. The match itself was one of the better matches on free TV all year long and the out of nowhere finish made it even better. It wasn’t a great match on the “it had lots of two counts” argument, it just was.

Benjamin’s athletic ability isn’t a hindrance and it also isn’t the spot monkey style that we see from other people. Benjamin can go in almost any match type and as soon as he’s ready I can see him climbing the card very quickly. I do see a reign as United States Champ in Shelton’s future. I just hope it isn’t thrown away like his Intercontinental reigns were.

It seems to me as though my biscuits and gravy bredren are smack dab in the middle of a real feud. Jesse and Festus are both good workers and the gimmick that Festus is running with is quite entertaining. Their match tonight with Hawkins & Ryder was a decent match but after the match was much more entertaining.

With people taking advantage of Festus’ “disability” or whatever you want to call it has gone on for awhile and has only been used to his advantage a few times. Tonight was as good a time as any to do it. We saw Edge use the second ringing of the bell to take out Festus last week and I was irritated at the notion that it would happen again.

Jesse and Festus need to move on from this feud and move into a tag team title feud with Miz and Morrison though that is with the utmost hope that Finlay and Hornswoggle don’t win the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Finlay and Hornswoggle are an entertaining tandem, but I don’t like thinking that the E is trying to force people to take Hornswoggle seriously. He’s funny but he isn’t believable to extent they are trying to push him. I understand that Finlay is the main reason behind this, but why not put Horny back under the ring where he was?

Triple H was positioned very early in the card to further the Vickie/Edge/Chavo/ storyline. His match with Chavo was a normal Triple H TV match. His opponent got in a little offense, but then of course Triple H got the upper hand and never gave it back. I will credit the sick looking spine buster Trips hit on Chavito near the end though.

I’m not going to be negative because I believe all in all this was a very good show, but the way the show ended was very reminiscent of Jason Biggs character Jim in American Pie. The Edge/Vickie breakup storyline has blown its load way too early.

What prompted it to end this soon? Maybe this was just a continuance and Vickie will ultimately screw Edge and that could work, but why expedite it like this? Why not have Edge have Big Show set up for the Con-Chair-To and Vickie disqualify Edge?

The same thing could happen next week and then at the Great American Bash they could screw Triple H and have Edge go over, only to have Vickie turn on Edge at a later date? Is all this really just so they can put a wedding on TV? I certainly hope not.

Once again I’m left wondering what will happen next week, something the E hasn’t done in quite some time. I’m still impressed with the direction things are going and the theme of “change” seems to be working well. Let’s hope it continues.

DJB’s What to Watch:
Opening Segment
Shelton Benjamin vs. Matt Hardy
Kennedy vs. Domino/post match beat down>
Triple H vs. Chavo>>
Jesse & Festus vs. Hawkins & Ryder >
Edge vs. Big Show

Tha Results…
*Shelton Benjamin def. Matt Hardy
*Finlay and Hornswoggle def. MnM
*Kennedy def. Domino
*Triple H def. Chavo
*Natalya & Maryse def. Cherry & Michelle McCool
*Vladimir Kozlov def. Big Stevie Cool
*Edge/Big Show ends in no contest

Share |