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Yesterday’s Smackdown managed to do what no other Live Smackdown has done before, “be good”. Although there were a few things that left a sour taste in my mouth, the overall quality of the show was good, and if I had to put it into numbers, I would give it a solid 7.1/10. Now, let’s get into the top ten moments from last nigh’t Smackdown.
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Layla competed in her 10th match of the year in against the team of Antonio Cesaro and Aksana.
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Santino Marella scored his 25th win of the year against the team of Hunico, Camacho, and Drew McIntyre.
Camacho suffered his 5th loss of the year to the team of Santino Marella, Sgt. Slaughter, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan.
John Cena suffered his 5th loss of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
CM Punk suffered his 15th loss of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
Christian competed in his 15th match of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
Santino Marella competed in his 45th match of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
Dolph Ziggler suffered his 30th loss of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
Heath Slater suffered his 25th loss of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
Heath Slater competed in his 30th match of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
The Great Khali suffered his 10th loss of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
The Great Khali competed in his 25th match of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
Damien Sandow competed in his 5th match of the year in the 20-man battle royal.
#10. The Great Khali & Layla vs. Antonio Cesaro & Aksana
Not even Claudio Castignoli could save this match. In what was bound to be a trainwreck from the start (anything with Khali in it is), Khali and the Divas Champion Layla faced off against the sorely misused Antonio Cesaro and his valet Aksana. The match was, of course, awful, and there was absolutely no story progression of any sort (if there was any to begin with).
#9. Americans (plus Italian) vs. Assorted Foreigners
Anyone else feel that this match was kind of promoting bigotry? Anyway, it what was the most predictable bout of the night (who didn’t see a Sgt. Slaughter and Hacksaw appearance coming?), the two patriotic legends teamed with the Canadian portraying an Italian who happens to hold the United States Championship against Hunico, Camacho, and Drew McIntyre. The match was pretty awful, mostly because they had the 60-something year-olds compete in the match for the most part. No offense to Slaughter or Hacksaw (both legends, huge fan of both), but no one really wants to see you in a match anymore.
#8. Teddy Long’s Barbecue
Don’t ask me why this was happening backstage, it just was. It was a pretty pathetic attempt at humor throughout the entire show (except for Kane at the beginning, just because Kane has a special place in my heart), and the entire thing just seemed awkward and forced. Also, it was clearly not in the parking lot.
#7. Ryback faces an actual member of the roster
Finally! After weeks and weeks (and weeks) of Ryback taking on two local underfed guys at a time, he was finally given an actual opponent who is a part of the WWE roster, Curt Hawkins. Curt Hawkins obviously isn’t that much of an impressive victory, but it’s a huge step up from his previous competition.
#6. Michael Cole flirts with AJ
Another uncomfortable moment from Smackdown, Michael Cole made everyone cringe (probably including his wife) when he started to flirt with AJ. Seriously WWE, why do you always have to get Michael “I’m not as good as JR” Cole get involved with everything?
#5. Dolph Ziggler qualifies for Money In The Bank
I think we have our Money In The Bank winner. For the whole year, most people have wanted either Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, or the now cleared to competed Wade Barrett to win Money In The Bank. Since Ziggler and Rhodes are in the same match, and Wade Barrett will probably enter a program with Sheamus upon his return, I feel that Ziggler is no doubt going to win the Money In The Bank briefcase. Hopefully he will get an actual world title reign this time.
#4. Alberto Del Rio gets the upper-hand on Sheamus
In the opening segment of the show, Alberto Del Rio FINALLY got the upper-hand on Sheamus by ramming his head in the hood of the car. It was nice to see Alberto Del Rio actually win an encounter with Sheamus, and even though he won’t (nor do I want to see him) win the World Heavyweight Championship at Money In The Bank, it added a little more interest into the feud.
#3. Cody Rhodes vs. Christian
In the first qualifying match of the night, Cody Rhodes took on Christian in what was no doubt match of the week. The two put on some fast paced action with a lot of near falls, and ended with Cody Rhodes beating Christian clean (should’ve beat him dirty) to qualify for Money In The Bank.
#2. Zack Ryder wins the 20-man battle royal.
Why WWE, why? When fans ask for you to push Zack Ryder, they want yo to give him a good mid-card title reign or maybe a program with someone else. What they don’t want is for him to beat someone who is in contention for the WWE Championship cleanly.
#1. AJ
I’ve just stopped explaining because it’s extremely obvious why she is number one every week.
