I’m going to get basic this week and discuss the three shows that were presented to us – SmackDown! from last week, No Mercy, and Raw. First, Thursday’s program, and as to be expected there were highs and lows here. Unfortunately for him, Heidenreich was a negative yet again. The little tirade he had while standing up on the fist above the ramp left everyone bored. I don’t know if anything was said at the live event, but I would not have been surprised if the crowd was telling him to jump. Why does Vince like to have so many of his new big guys seem crazy? Heidenreich is just one of a series, and while another Batista personality would be too repetitive, it is a different show after all, and it would be a step up from this.
Don’t laugh, but I really enjoyed the match between John Bradshaw Layfield and Hardcore Holly. I did not expect to, but I thought these two did a good job together, and I quite liked it. I enjoyed the ending too, when Undertaker made it clear that he had taken care of three of the four men included in Bradshaw’s little group. Seeing Orlando Jordan hanging by his arms over the logo of The Dead Man, while ‘Taker made it clear that the one left was only JBL was pretty cool.
Another match that I thought was really good was also a surprise to me. I liked Spike facing off against Nunzio. I’ve never cared one way or the other for Nunzio, but he showed me things that made me be interested in a match he was involved with for the first time. I thought they worked well together and for me this was the best match of the night.
No Mercy was just that for me this time around – emphasis on the NO, I never saw the show. I was at work Sunday and didn’t even leave until after 6:30. Dinner followed, so it was too late to want to tape the second showing by the time I got home. I thought that my friend Dean would tape it, since several of us always watch over at his house, but he’d been sick and wasn’t feeling well enough to even care. By the time Tuesday came around I had lost interest. But I have read reports on the show, so I’ll at least let you know whether or not I agree with what went on after the fact.
I was so glad to hear that Eddie Guerrero won his grudge match against Luther Reigns. I was a bit surprised that theirs was the first match of the night, but I’m sure it helped jack up the crowd, as popular as Guerrero is. I’ve heard that Eddie will probably not be holding a title for a while, noting his stress level as the main reason for that. If in actually that is the case and it is in his own best interest at the present time, then kudos to McMahon for taking care of this superstar. But that is a big ‘if.’ Of course the well being of Guerrero should always be foremost in any decision-making, so I will take the road that this is what is happening – I want to try to be fairly positive today.
Maybe the combination of Nunzio and Spike caught the eye of others besides myself, since they were a late add to No Mercy. Spike retained the Cruiserweight Championship and I can only assume that these two gave at least as good a performance as they did last Thursday. And speaking of additions, the combination of Charlie Haas, Rico (welcome back!) and Miss Jackie faced off with Dawn Marie and the Dudleys. I liked the way they took the actual engagement of Haas and Jackie and added it to the story line, with Dawn Marie speaking of the affair she is having with Charlie. But Jackie, Haas and Rico had the last laugh as they emerged victorious.
Billy Kidman and Paul London had an opportunity to settle the score. After being left in the ring during tag competition and ultimately getting pounded, London got to face Kidman – not to get an answer this time, but to wrestle it out. Billy emerged the victor after finally doing his Shooting Star Press, but then blamed the fans for making him do it, injuring Paul in the process. There was no real injury this time, but it probably worked out well for the match. (If any of you don’t know, Kidman did that finishing move on Chavo Guerrero, resulting in a legitimate concussion for Guerrero. From there the story line was born, and it worked, in my opinion.)
Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio tried to win the Tag Team belts from Kenzo Suzuki and Rene Dupree, but to no avail. While RVD and Mysterio can do a good job together, why can’t they showcase their talents separately? I know there are just so many slots to fill in a small time frame, and the fans like to see their favorites in any capacity. I just don’t want RVD and Rey to get mired in tag team action to the detriment of their individual talents. Oh yeah, Suzuki and Dupree kept the title, which, as much as I want to stay positive, doesn’t make me happy.
Another grudge match, Kurt Angle facing off with a now bald Big Show. Angle should have been smarter than that – don’t tick off a giant right before you have to wrestle him! Ah, the Angle ego probably took over and he never figured he could lose. He was apparently wrong with that one, as the cue-balled Show came away the winner.
Intercontinental Champion Booker T against John Cena, Best of Five Series, with the two men tied up at two apiece. I really thought that Booker would win this for a couple of reasons. First, even though I am a big Cena fan, to me Booker is deserving to keep the title for a little while longer. Secondly, Cena is off to make a movie and will not be around to defend the belt. Will they just put it on the shelf for awhile, or take it away from him as they did to Edge? This might work out OK, but The Booker Man could have retained.
Finally, the WWE Champion JBL faced off with The Undertaker in a Last Ride Match. I was really hoping that The Dead Man would get this one, but obviously and for whatever reason, JBL is destined to stick around a bit longer. I have to say though, that the ending sounded really cool, what with the hearse driving off with ‘Taker in the back, then seeing Paul Heyman driving it, and then Heidenreich smashing into it, causing it to blow up. Heyman got to Undertaker before ‘Taker did the deed on Heyman, and I think that was a neat way to go. Of course, ‘Taker will arise again, and I will wait for that.
It seems that when I think about Raw there aren’t too many things that I would consider were good on the show. Could we ever hear Triple H go on without whining about something? Jericho was definitely right about that. Lita can’t pull off those interviews when she is supposed to be angry or upset. When she is happy and upbeat she’s OK, but she seems very uncomfortable in this role. And then we have Gene Snitsky – Raws' resident crazy. Enough said. Christy and Carmella again – yeah, I’m done with them too.
I did like the Shawn Michaels / Christian match. Any time HBK is in the ring, it’s good watching, and this was no exception. I feel the same about Chris Benoit. Unlike others, I do not find him boring, and enjoy seeing him work. I also liked Edge’s promo about why the fans should vote for him to face Triple H at Taboo Tuesday. The Lumberjack Match between HHH and Y2J was alright, but really short, and that surprised me.
Well, that’s enough of my opinions for one week. As always,
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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