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Smackdown: "The Animal" is unleashed
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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It's Friday night and Smackdown is on the air. We're continuing the road to
Survivor Series and kick off tonight with The Undertaker headed to the ring
for a rare promo.
As one might expect, 'Taker is building up the main event of the Series, and
also as expected Chris Jericho comes out to refute 'Taker's belief that he will
retain the title. Eventually the two come to blows and 'Taker easily takes the
advantage. Pretty standard opener to build heat.
Match 1 - Dolph Ziggler/Hart Dynasty vs. John Morrison/Cryme Tyme
This is the 100th meeting between Calgary and Brooklyn. Seriously -- the Flames
and Rangers haven't had as many contests as these guys have. The match itself
drags a bit and is not at the level that we've become accustomed to with Morrison
and Ziggler. Dolph, however, does continue his hot streak after getting a blind
tag in and hitting the Zig Zag on Shad
Winners: Ziggler/Harts
Backstage we next to an interview with Rey Mysterio. We learn that Rey and
Batista will fight at the Series. Mysterio seems the unwilling opponent here,
which really doesn't work well. I've seen this angle too many times for it to
mean anything anymore.
Match 2 - Beth Phoenix vs. Brittney Carter
This match was over quicker than it took me to type this report up. Here's
the scary thing -- Beth's getting over as a face from these monster squashes.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
Match 3 - Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Wang Yang
Match doesn't start until after a strong beatdown by McIntyre. Once the bell
rings, Drew makes short work of the sparsely seen Yang. Methinks the further
budget cuts may be coming soon to Friday nights.
Winner: McIntyre
Backstage we go to a Batista interview. He sounds as cold as he should be in
this situation.
Match 3 - Mike Knox vs. Rey Mysterio
Hey remember when these two had a feud going? Yeah, so do I. Back then, Knox
wasn't a fall guy. Now, he is.
Winner: Mike Knox
Before we head back to the ring, we find out that Morrison and Ziggler will
meet next week for the IC belt.
Match 4 - CM Punk vs. R-Truth
Match starts scarily as Truth somewhat botches a Plancha and looks to have
hit the padding
Punk takes over after a commercial break in what is a more solid than expected
match. These two actually have pretty good chemistry. Eventually, Punk gets
a near fall, but complains to ref Scott Armstrong about a slow count. So the
next pin, Armstrong does count faster, only this results in a win for Truth.
This, understandably, doesn't sit well with Punk.
Winner: R-Truth
Backstage, Mickie James is checking out a seamstress's work when Layla and
Michelle McCool come in. We learn that Mickie's team will face Michelle's team
in a Survivor Series match. God, McCool's delivery is more wooden than the brooms
Ric Flair used to wrestle.
Back from a break, Matt Hardy talks about Batista while referencing Jeff for
the second week in a row.
Match 5 - Matt Hardy vs. Batista
The match starts fairly early in the show, which concerns me, because this
likely means a long, back-and-forth match rather than the short destruction
it should be.
By the way, a heel turn apparently means no more pyro. Despite that, Batista
gets a pretty good pop coming out.
The match, as I alluded to, has way too much back and forth for what it should
be. Batista is dominant at times, but not dominant enough for my liking. It
isn't until Batista nearly loses the match that he snaps and gives Hardy the
ass-kicking we needed to see. The match result is expected
Winner: Matt Hardy (DQ)
Batista continues the violence after the match and only finally gets booed
when he doesn't deliver a Batista Bomb. Interesting.
Well, tonight's show was another one that was lacking in the wrestling department,
but the storylines are getting better, so thumbs up here.
See you in seven.
