I think the title says it all. Smackdown was one cool show. Well, aside from the opening segment and main event, it was a rather uncool show. But, John Cena and Carlito were the stars of Smackdown on Thursday. But, it just wouldn’t be fair to WWE if I left out No Mercy from my column. Meanwhile, if you’re wondering (I assume it doesn’t matter to you), I will be doing a weekend column for tomorrow, which will most likely consist of two things: a look at TNA Impact! (thanks to NoDQ.com for allowing me to view this week’s show, since I can’t get the show in Canada), as well as a fan participation piece of my own for Taboo Tuesday. I really would like it if any people reading tomorrow’s column would take part, so I can get my own fan participation, leading up to next week’s weekend column, surrounding Taboo Tuesday. For now, on to last weekend’s No Mercy.
First up was the Eddie Guerrero vs. Luther Reigns match. All I have to say is I got my first prediction right for the show. That isn’t bad at all. I still honestly believe Luther Reigns is better on the mic, while Guerrero is best in the ring. This was by no means a bad match, but there’s a reason it opened the show. Spike Dudley and Nunzio was decent, but I don’t think anyone thought Nunzio stood a chance against little Spike Dudley. Two and zero for me on predictions! But, there’s always something that comes along and ruins everything.
I did actually think Kidman would win, but I admit that in the end, I was convinced London would win the match. Unfortunately, that was not the case at all. A good match, but at least I predicted Kidman would do the Shooting Star Press, although I’m sure everyone knew that would happen. The tag team titles match was all right. You know, I hated Kenzo Suzuki, and it’s a given that some in-ring work could be improved, but I’ll be damned if he doesn’t have me laughing with his silly pre-match antics, this time singing Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA.
Big Show and Kurt Angle did a pretty good match for the PPV. I actually felt like my prediction would be wrong, and Angle would pick up the win, but luckily my instincts were right, and the Big Show picked up a big win. Now, the biggest shocker for everyone, I’m sure, was John Cena winning the US Title. Now, if you read all the rumors, you would know that Cena is on his way to film a movie for WWE Films (something I’ll touch in on the near future), so you would assume Cena would lose the match at No Mercy. Not the case at all, and I still don’t understand why he won. I know one cool dude will win the title on Smackdown, but it doesn’t make any sense to do that.
The last ride match. This was actually good to watch. JBL improves each week, and he is one awesome champion. Not the best, like he claims, but damn good. And after hearing all the hype about this possibly being Undertaker’s 5th title reign, I was convinced it could be his time. But, like I figured, Heidenreich interrupted the match in the end, and attacked Undertaker. What I really liked was the ending, seeing the psychotic Heidenreich drive his truck into the side of that hearse. Mind you, I don’t remember the last time a truck barely ran into a car, and there was an explosion and a huge puff of smoke, but it still came off well. Heidenreich needs some work. A lot, actually. But, it still came off very well.
Is Cena cool anymore? Wow, the hometown crowd was totally behind Cena, weren’t they? Which makes me wonder why what happens later did happen. It was a total shocker. Cena does a little segment, sans the rap. It was weird when he didn’t do any rapping, or little rapping (can’t recall if he started or not). Out comes the coolest new guy on the block, Carlito Caribbean Cool. He almost emits coolness as he walks, which makes this guy really great. I like him already. Although, as you’ll find later, after several different segments with him, he could get tiring. Just keep him to a minimum, and I think he’ll be great on the show.
As for this segment, it was awesome. Cena and Carlito both shined perfectly, and it was great to watch. These two really had good chemistry, and I’m glad Carlito didn’t stroll in, and lose his first match, as you’ll see later. One thing I really like is that Carlito has the appeal to switch down the road. He could easily be a babyface, and I could see it in a few months to a year, at most. Believe it, Carlito Caribbean is one cool cat.
Suzuki vs. Mysterio Absolutely hilarious. Kenzo may not be perfect inside the ring, but his comedy is downright hilarious. I think he’s a real trooper for going out there and doing that. Tonight, he sings that “New York, New York” song, and even starts dancing. It’s a ton funnier than La Resistance butchering our national anthem. The match itself was okay. Not great, but not bad at all. Mysterio pretty much carried the match, right to its win.
JBL vs. Hardcore Holly JBL does ANOTHER great bit backstage, and I can’t help but love him. I know everyone hated the idea of JBL main-eventing, and even winning the WWE Title. But, I didn’t say he’s terrible, or he’s a legend. I let him develop, and my God, he is doing an awesome job, for a man once known as Bradshaw of the Acolytes. But, I’m not sure why Hardcore Holly is getting this treatment. Now, I know Holly is a veteran. But, shouldn’t he be going for the tag team titles or the US Title? Now he’s on the WWE Title kick again. I highly doubt that next week,we’ll see a new champion.
As for the match at hand, it was all right. Nothing special, because the whole show, save for Cena and Carlito, was just all right and nothing special. Just to add to this, Orlando Jordan had a bit of an altercation backstage with Booker T, which sparked my curiousity. It wasn’t Booker T, the ass who has no appeal to the fans. It was the Booker T that dissed the bad guys, helped the good guys, and did the spinaroonie for all his fans. Is it a face turn already, so soon after the heel turn? It looks like it might happen, and to be honest, I loved that Booker T more than this generic heel he turned into.
Big Show vs. Mark Jindrak I think we got way too many hair losses lately, and we’ll undoubtedly get one more at Taboo Tuesday. Enough with overplaying all of the good match gimmicks, WWE. Hair vs. Hair is fun once a year at most. This is the second one this year, along with Show’s shaving two weeks ago. Anyway, that’s not what we’re here for, although I am glad to see Jindrak get a reliable gimmick now. After seeing a good team with Garrison Cade, it looks like Jindrak has found a way to be on television. Remember when he was with Theodore Long a few months ago, in some sort of new “Playas Club”? Solid match, to build the Big Show/Kurt Angle rivalry, which is heightening each week.
Kidman vs. Haas I wonder if they really planned to turn Kidman a heel before Chavo Guerrero. Probably not, but it gives him some new material to use now. I liked this match, because both men involved have lots of talent. I don’t like seeing Kidman teasing the Star Press, and not doing it. It did add to his heel character to hint doing the Star Press to Miss Jackie, though. I think Kidman could definitely be getting a push upward, but my question is, will Chavo be a heel or a face upon return? I see a face turn, so he can feud with Kidman.
Heidenreich and Heyman Before Heidenreich’s latest “masterpiece”, Heyman and Theodore Long are backstage talking, and Heyman has the signature smug look on his face, that just makes his character. But Long is quick to take the wind clear out of Heyman’s sails, and announces to him and to the wrestling world that the Undertaker was NOT in the back of that hearse, when they used the jaws of life to cut that hearse open. Well, what did they expect? He is the DEAD MAN, and isn’t called the dead man for nothing. He can get out of anything, because technically, he’s dead. Not literally. But, you get the point.
John Heidenreich hasn’t done a whole lot to impress me, since his debut a few weeks ago, and it’s not even an improvement over his original gimmick, involving Little Johnny Heidenreich. That is saying a lot towards Heidy today. He goes out on Smackdown, and proceeds to read from a poem that he calls another masterpiece. Right, I believe you, John. The crowd boos him clear out of the building, and he takes his anger out on some plants in the audience. Oops, I mean some actual fans. That’s why you heard about 3 people filing a lawsuit against WWE. He looks mean when he’s doing these random attacks on people.
United States Caribbean Cool Carlito’s debut match… boy, what a doozy. This match was outstanding, and I am really impressed with Carlito. He’s a love him or hate him kind of guy, and I can understand if people hate him, but I love him so far. I just wish there was better reasoning behind taking the title off Booker T, placing it on Cena for four days, then giving it to the new guy. The last person I recall to win a title upon debut was Gail Kim. Does anyone recall someone before that? I don’t, at all.
Carlito has surprising talent. After seeing all the build-up, it was hard to expect anything less than high expectations. But, he really pulled through on the mic, and in the ring. He has a cool gimmick going (pun intended), and really rivals some of the greats of WWE. Let’s just see if he can keep up the persona, or will he just fade into oblivion? It can go either way, but winning the US Title on your first night is a major plus. Although, the only thing not cool about this match was the finish. Seeing Carlito cheat already was a downside. Does every heel in WWE have to cheat to win? At least we expect it from Guerrero, and he’s a babyface! Evilution requires the combined help of three men to win a match, usually involving just one of the three. But, I can’t really complain. It was a massive shocker to see homeboy Cena be taken down so soon.
Well, another column down, and another weekend to enjoy. But, I did promise that weekend column, and I’ll be sure to pump one out tomorrow, surrounding TNA Impact and a Taboo Tuesday of my own. As always, I am the one and the only Mr. X saying to all the X-aholics, see you on the flop side. Buh-bye!
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