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Tonight’s Smackdown was okay, but everything notable happened within the first and last fifteen minutes, and the rest seemed like filler. Overall, I would give this episode a 6.4/10. Solid C-. Anyway, it’s time to get to our top ten moments from Smackdown. First, some stats from Smackdown.
Stats
Heath Slater competed in his 25th match of the year against Brodus Clay in a losing effort.
Beth Phoenix competed in her 20th match of the year against Alicia Fox in a winning effort.
Alicia Fox suffered her 10th loss of the year against Beth Phoenix.
#10. Ryback wins again
If you have read any of my previous articles, you would know how impressed I was by Ryback’s squashes. Notice the WAS in that sentence, because Ryback’s matches are getting stale and boring. Either feed him three guys like he keeps screaming, or give him some actual competition.
#9. Hey! A Divas match!
For the first time in what seems like months, Smackdown gave us a Divas match. It may have only been about 11 seconds, but 11 seconds is better than nothing, right?
#8. David Otunga attacks Brodus Clay
After Brodus Clay finished off Heath Slater in very quick fashion, David Otunga came out and attacked the Funkasaurus. It’s nice to see some actual build towards their pre-show bout on Sunday, even though it’s painfully obvious who the winner will be.
#7. Damien Sandow vs. Tyson Kidd
Damien Sandow took on Tyson Kidd in what was his first sorta-kinda feud driven matches. He took out the under-rated Superstar in a few minutes, but both men came out looking impressive after the match. Now they just need to put Damien Sandow in a feud (Ryback? Brodus?).
#6. Christian vs. Jack Swagger
Christian took on Jack Swagger in one of the better matches of the night. The two had some nice bakc and forth action in the short amount of time they were given, and Christian looked great in the match. It was a little disappointing that we didn’t have a Cody Rhodes sighting, because a little story progression is always welcome. Even without a Rhodes appearance, I’m still looking forward to their match at No Way Out. Expect it to be one of the best matches on the card.
#5. CM Punk & Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan & Dolph Ziggler
In what should have been the main event (not the opening match), World Champions CM Punk and Sheamus took on their respective number one contenders in a good match. Ziggler picked up the win after Vickie stumbled into the ring, and a chase sequence started between the two. I would have rather had Ziggler hit a Zig Zag on Sheamus rather than rolling him up, because it would have made him look a lot stronger, but a Ziggler win is good too.
#4. Opening segment
In the opening segment, Sheamus, Punk, Ziggler, Bryan, AJ, and Vickie all came out to the ring to confront one another. The segment was well done and really showed off Dolph Ziggler’s improved mic skills. .
#3 AJ is batshit crazy
How good is AJ? AJ once again pulled off the sadistic, stalkerish, batshit insane character to a tee tonight, and she is no doubt the wild card come Sunday. Where does her allegiance lie? Kane, Punk, or Bryan?
#2. Big Show promo
Big Show came out and cut an actually decent promo. He mentioned names that he probably shouldn’t say (Sting, Randy Orton), and he brought up things in his career that really shouldn’t have happened. Some things he said were a little off, like being a jolly good guy for 10 years. I’m pretty sure the last time he was a heel was in 2010 with the Miz, and I don’t like how WWE decides to forget it. Also, if he’s so unhappy with being called Big Show, than just say your name is Paul Wight. It’s not hard.
#1. John Cena knocks out John Laurinaitis
In what shouldn’t have been the main thing on Smackdown, John Cena came out, ranted about Big Show, then knocked out Big Johnny, adding another stipulation to the Cena/Show match on Sunday. Even though I have been a huge critic of this feud taking the main event spot from Punk, Bryan and Kane, the whole “John Cena gets fired if he loses” thing, even though it’s been done before, makes me a little more interest in his match on Sunday.
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