Top 10 Moments from the 06/01/12 Edition of Smackdown

Smackdown gave us a pretty solid show this week, and even though it’s going to be full of pointless squash matches in the coming weeks courtesy of Sin Cara, Ryback, Damien Sandow, and Antonio Cesaro, Smackdown still manages to be a pretty interesting show. Here are the top ten moments from tonight’s Smackdown.

#10. Cody Rhodes vs. Tyson Kidd

I think tonight was the first time we’ve actually seen a Cross Rhodes in 2012. After losing to, well, everybody, Cody Rhodes managed to break his cable TV losing streak by beating Tyson Kidd. Christian was great on commentary, and Tyson Kidd managed to look awesome as well. Seriously WWE, you’re pushing Tensai and not Kidd? Shame on you. Anyway, good way to get Cody Rhodes over a bit and adding a little bit of momentum to the feud. Also, best timed line of the night by Cole (to Christian): “You look like a conductor”.

#9. Opening Segment

It looks like they are slowly replacing RKOs with Brogue Kicks. Sheamus opened the show in a decent segment that involved David Otunga and Alberto Del Rio. There wasn’t really anything special in the segment other than a few lame jokes by Sheamus, but that Brogue Kick to David Otunga looked devastating. I’m probably going to get some crap for this, but I don’t think Sheamus is good with the title. He’s way better chasing the thing.

#8. Damien Sandow puts away Ezekiel Jackson

Damien Sandow impressed again tonight by putting away Big Zeke in entertaining fashion. His match was a little too similar to his last one (get wailed on in the corner, come back with repeated knees to the chest, russian leg sweep, neckbreaker), but it was still good nonetheless. I’m starting to get a little worried, however, as there are too many talents that just squash others. As I said in the intro, Sin Cara, Ryback, and Sandow are all probably going to be in squash matches for the next few weeks, and with the re-debut (?) of Antonio Cesaro on next week’s Smackdown, we’re going to have to see the same thing happen four times in one night. Like I said in last week’s top ten, you can kill two birds with one stone by putting Sandow in a feud with Ryback. Who wouldn’t want to see that?

#7. Sin Cara returns

Well Sin Cara’s back. Am I excited? Not really. Is it because he is an unreliable worker? Maybe. Is it because the WWE never knew what to do with him? Maybe that too. All I know is that Sin Cara’s fancy dancy wrestling can’t mask his lack of character and interest, which you could really tell was happening when the crowd didn’t give a rats ass about him when he came out. Maybe he would have had a better return if you stuck him with ANYBODY ELSE EXCEPT HEATH SLATER.

#6. Ryback dominates again

I’m not going to vent my frustrations about too many squash matches again, as I have already discussed it. Instead, I am going to say how impressive Ryback is. He’s a beast. He’s entertaining. He’s destructive. He’s exactly what Vince McMahon wants, and exactly what we like. He can’t really get more impressive than he already is (unless he gives that Muscle Buster to three guys).

#5. Dolph Ziggler shines

Dolph Ziggler proved once again that he deserves a push. Not only did he do super well in his match with Sheamus, but he showed us that he has greatly improved on the mic since we last heard him talk. Also, he’s creating an even bigger rift between him and Vickie! The inevitable is coming, and I predict we’re going to get the summer of Ziggler.

#4. Big Show destroys Santino and Ryder

Sigh…another Big Show segment that went on too long. Even though the whole thing was good in building up Show as a monster heel, they once again gave him too much time. You could probably make a three hour Raw with all of the Big Show segments from the past three weeks. Hell, you could event release a DVD set about it. Either way, it was a decent segment that just went on too long.

#3. Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler

Like I said before, Dolph Ziggler impressed tonight. In his match with Sheamus, he showed us a ton of athleticism and character, and put on a great match with Sheamus. I would have rather that Swagger or Vickie accidentally cost him that match, but you could easily rebuild his momentum. By the way, did you see that Brogue Kick? Brutal.

#2. CM Punk vs. Kane

Although it was a lot slower than their previous bout, CM Punk and Kane delivered, and showed us once again why it’s not such a bad thing to have Kane involved in the WWE Championship picture. There were a lot of good spots in the match, including CM Punk lifting Kane up for the GTS (with incredible ease by the way), and a huge clothesline that sent Punk off the turnbuckle, but the most important thing that happened in that match happens to be our number one moment from Smackdown…

#1. Daniel Bryan strikes again

Daniel Bryan is by far the best heel in the WWE. After a failed attempt to ambush Punk, Daniel Bryan headed to the top rope and delivered a gorgeous double drop-kick to Kane and Punk. After that, he sent Punk to the corner, and gave him a few dozen kicks, all while screaming “YES! YES! YES!”. How can you get any better than that?

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