Hey everyone and welcome to this week’s edition of Chris Reviews Smackdown. In this week’s blog I shall be discussing Kofi Kingston’s foray into the main event, Hulk Hogan joining TNA and analysing this week’s show. As always please feel free to leave some feedback via the comment board or drop an email to a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com  

First off my apologies I could not get this up yesterday but I was so tired that after I finished my Bragging Rights Review I fell asleep and had to work late today so this was the earliest I could get a decent piece of work up. I know some people are less understanding of this than others but when I was a student I finished at 5 or 6pm every day during the week and had time to answer questions, do research and everything else during the week and then just watch the show on Saturday. Now I work full time and due to a recent promotion at work I am currently working 62 hours, 7 days a week in my day job as well as putting in 2 late night DJ shifts on a Friday and Saturday night. This means I have very limited free time in which to write and have to fit in researching, viewing and watching in the seven or eight hours I have free at the weekend and recently as was the case yesterday I was so exhausted I just fell asleep. However I am working on getting my hours changed at work so I can start earlier in the morning and finish earlier at night which will allow me once again to get everything other than the show review done during the week. Like I have said many times I would never half arse anything I post on WNW. I find out on Wednesday if I can change my hours so hopefully, fingers crossed, things can start returning to normal once again.

On last Monday’s RAW we saw an interesting move from WWE to create new stars. True we have a somewhat stagnant main event for Survivor Series with Triple H once being placed in the main event, albeit this time against DX partner Shawn Michaels as well as John Cena. However Jack Swagger and The Miz have been placed in a heel vs heel feud which should certainly lead to an entertaining and different storyline especially as it seems they are not only vying over the United States Title but also the affections of Eve Torres. The biggest news however was Kofi Kingston’s ascent to the crest of main event status after being placed in a feud with Randy Orton. This is great news for Kofi and I am delighted that WWE have pulled the trigger on pushing one of the most over babyfaces on the roster. Just like Richard, Luke and pretty much everyone else on the IWC I am thrilled WWE dropped the silly Jamaican gimmick and have just let Kofi be himself. He showed on RAW that he is more than capable of cutting a decent and serious promo, something that he was never given a chance to do under the old gimmick. Kofi Kingston is exciting to watch in the ring and incredibly over with the crowd and this feud with Orton could be the turning point in his career. Of course there is always a chance WWE creative may have Orton squash Kofi much as Cena did to The Miz and Triple H did to MVP and Shelton but I am seriously hoping that they learn from their previous mistakes and even if they have Orton go over in the first instance (perhaps in a Team Orton vs Team Kofi Survivor Series Match), have Kofi come back strong and defeat Orton one on one at the following PPV which I believe has now been renamed TLC and as Kofi proved during MITB this year, he knows his way around a ladder or two! I did not watch RAW live but caught it the next day and was excited to see the show for the first time since the draft other than the Legacy vs DX feud. Hopefully this new direction will continue on RAW and guys like Kofi, Swagger and The Miz continue to get the chance to show they are the future and breakout.

So perhaps the biggest wrestling news since Shawn Michaels coming out of retirement in 2002, hell probably even bigger than that, which is of course Hulk Hogan signing a deal with TNA Wrestling. Wow, I can honestly say I never saw this one coming! I am going to be honest, after TNA’s recent youth incentive, at first glance this seemed a step backwards but there is no denying that other than Austin in his heyday, Hulk Hogan is the biggest draw in the history of professional wrestling and just by having him associated with TNA it is going to mean big things for the company. Bischoff and Hogan are going to do great things for TNA, of that I am sure. They will bring the company into the spotlight and provide the marketing and publicity that the company has so far been unable to tap in to. As long as Hogan does not book himself in main event spots and instead focuses on continuing the current direction the company is taking then that is fantastic, Hogan as a weekly on screen personality who works the occasional match against the likes of Sting and Foley would be great, Hulk Hogan and friends as NWO version 3 with Hogan is TNA Champion would not be. Likewise Eric Bischoff will have (should have) learned from his mistakes in WCW and run things differently this time. Bischoff was a creative genius in WCW and is in touch with what wrestling fans want to see from a product, so hopefully with Hogan and Bischoff at the helm TNA can finally step up and become the major competition to WWE it has always wanted to be. There are all sorts of rumours flying around the internet as to names TNA want to bring in, from the downright ridiculous (Austin, Goldberg) to the highly unlikely (Ric Flair, DDP) to the far more likely (RVD, Ken Anderson) Whoever TNA bring in and I do expect them to bring in some big names, it is VITAL that the company does not make the mistakes of WCW and bury its home grown talent in the process. AJ, Joe, Daniels, Beer Money, MCMG etc have all earned their spots and deserve to remain the focus of the company. I really hope TNA do launch a Monday night program to compete with RAW as this could lead to some seriously exciting programming from both WWE and TNA. TNA has made a point to emphasise the fact that they are not PG and hopefully if they start seriously competing with WWE it will force Vince to drop the PG crap and freshen up his stale product. It is exciting to be a wrestling fan right now and I cannot wait to see what goes down on Impact! this week and if/how WWE will adjust their programming. Impact! did a 1.3 rating with some serious competition and had that been a normal week (without the sports) I have read the number would have been more like a 2.5 which is vastly more than either ECW or Smackdown have been doing for a long time. I will be commenting on the WWE/TNA situation every week now as it develops and hopefully both TNA and WWE will both strive to out do each other and deliver cutting edge programming once again! Thank you Hulk Hogan for making wrestling interesting once again!

So on to this week’s Smackdown

Opening Segment: Teddy Long, Chris Jericho and Kane

We see highlights of Batista turning on Rey at Bragging Rights and Teddy Long makes his way to ringside as Todd Grisham and Matt Striker (filling in for JR) welcoming us to the show. Long gets on the mic and congratulates Team Smackdown for winning the 7 on 7 tag team match at Bragging Rights and it proves without a shadow of a doubt that Smackdown is the A Brand in WWE. Long goes on to mention Bragging Rights as well as being a historic night was also a disturbing one with Batista turning on his long time friend Rey Mysterio. Long says that later tonight Batista and Rey will have a heart to heart in the ring and Batista can explain his actions to the WWE Universe. Long moves on to discuss the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship: The Big Show. Long is cut off my Chris Jericho who stalks down to the ring with his tag titles and the Bragging Rights trophy. Jericho gets on the mic but Long cuts him off and says the trophy is property of Smackdown and takes it from him. Jericho gets in Long’s face and tells him to make no mistake, the trophy belongs to Jericho. Jericho says he is the genius that won Bragging Rights for Smackdown. Jericho says he did not do it for Teddy or the fans but for himself as it once again proves he is the best in the world at what he does. Large ‘You Suck’ chant breaks out from the fans as Jericho rips into Long for giving Big Show a title shot saying it was one of the most underhanded and devious decisions Long has ever made. Jericho calls himself the crown jewel of the show and the face of the show and he single handed brought victory to Smackdown and deserves to be world champion. Kane’s music hits and he walks to the ring looking pissed, Kane asks if he heard Jericho correctly when he said he brought Smackdown victory single handed. Kane reminds Jericho he was co captain so the trophy and all the Bragging Rights belong to Kane just as much as Jericho and if anyone deserves a title shot it is Kane. Jericho reminds Kane that it was he who got the winning pinfall at Bragging Rights. Jericho brings up Kane’s less than perfect record against The Undertaker and tells him to forget his delusions of grandeur and he should just be thankful that he had his hand raised in victory thanks to Jericho. Jericho calls himself the hero of Smackdown and the hero of all the germ incubating fans. Jericho tells Kane to turn around and get out of his face. Kane grabs Jericho but Teddy calls him off and tells him he has something to say and begs him to let Jericho go. Long says The Undertaker will defend the title at Survivor Series but if RAW can have a triple threat match so can Smackdown and tells Kane and Jericho that they will have a one on one match later tonight to determine the third member of the triple threat alongside Big Show and The Undertaker.

Chris Considers: Awesome opening segment mainly thanks to the wonderful mic work of Jericho. He is just so good at playing the guy you love to hate. This segment not only built the title match at Survivor Series but also gave us a reason to stay tuned for tonight’s main event. I am a bit confused as to Teddy Long’s current status as he seemed to be playing a heel last week but now is back to being a babyface, bizarre…

Match 1: John Morrison vs Dolph Ziggler

Morrison gets a smaller pop than usual but Striker really talks him up on announce. Dolph gets a tonne of heat and comes out with a mic in hand and mocks Morrison for being the only member of Smackdown to lose his match at Bragging Rights. Morrison questions how Dolph can include himself in any victory speech saying he was dropped from the team so he may be being a little premature, something he is used to according to Maria (how very PG!!!) Dolph looks pissed and enters the ring and the two lock up and Morrison forces Dolph into the corner but the referee makes the break and the two circle in the middle of the ring before locking up once again. Morrison with a waistlock take down but Dolph battles out of a headlock and applies one of his own but Morrison fights free only to run into a shoulder charge from Dolph. Morrison is up and both men leapfrog each other before Dolph does an amazing counter of an arm drag takeover only to get subsequently flapjacked by Morrison. Morrison connects the standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Morrison drops Dolph again but Ziggler counters a charge and drops Morrison face first into the turnbuckle, Dolph covers for two before punching and stomping away at Morrison on the mat. Scoop slam from Dolph followed by his high impact elbow drop for a near fall. Headlock from Dolph and the crowd rally behind Morrison whoch battles out only to get dropped into the turnbuckle once again and Dolph follows up with a nice powerslam for another near fall as we go to commercial. Back from the break and Dolph has a Matrix like headlock applied which he turns round before slamming Morrison head first into the mat. Dolph connects with a running blockbuster but it only gets a near fall and Dolph rubs Morrison’s face in the mat. Seated camel clutch from Ziggler which he rolls to the mat and turns it into a headlock and as Morrison battles to his feet Dolph drops strikes and elbows but Morrison is able to hit an back drop before coming back with a flurry of strikes and elbows followed by a pair of clotheslines and a flying leg lariat for a near fall. Morrison looks frustrated and calls for the Moonlight Drive which Dolph tries to counter into a neckbreaker only for Morrison to counter with a backslide for a near fall, nice sequence! Dolph counters and elbow and connects a big powerslam for a near fall and taunts Morrison and attempts the Zig Zag but Morrison counters with a catapult only for Dolph to land on the middle rope and fly back with an axe handle which Morrison ducks and connects the Flying Chuck for a near fall but Dolph gets a foot on the ropes. Morrison calls for Starship Pain but Dolph bails to the outside and Morrison looks to be setting up a corkscrew plancha but sweeps Morrison’s feet out from under him dropping him on the apron and powerslams him into the announce desk. Dolph gets back in the ring and the referee reaches the count of ten and Morrison is counted out.

Result: Dolph Ziggler defeats John Morrison via countout ***

Chris Considers: Very enjoyable opening match here. I know we haveseen these two a few times now but this was very, very good once again. There were some very good counter sequences and solid wrestling. I also enjoyed the promo before the match as Morrison seems to enjoy pushing the PG boundaries as much as possible! Hopefully this will lead to another title shot for Dolph and hopefully he will finally go over and cement himself as a champion on Smackdown!

We see more highlights of Batista decimating Rey Mysterio at Bragging Rights. I am so excited to see Batista as a heel and have been wanting this since 2007!

Backstage Segment: Teddy Long, Vince McMahon & CM Punk

Teddy Long is in his office and Vince walks in and congratulates him for Smackdown winning at Bragging Rights. He tells Long that is he keeps this up he may well be off probation soon. CM Punk storms in and runs down Long for giving Big Show a title shot when he is a member of the RAW roster and then demands to know why Chris Jericho and Kane are facing off against each other for the third spot when it should be Punk’s match as he would be champion if it wasn’t for Scott Armstrong’s poor officiating. Vince cuts in and says he will give Punk exactly what he wants and Punk asks if he is in the main event at Survivor Series to which Vince tells him no but instead he has a match tonight one on one against referee Scott Armstrong. Punk is thrilled and Long looks upset.

Chris Considers: And so CM Punk is officially out of main event contention for the time being. This angle and storyline could have been so very good but it is going down the toilet quickly and Smackdown creative need to come up with something quickly to save it, else risk Punk being stuck in mid card obscurity for the foreseeable future.

Match 2: Beth Phoenix vs Jenny Brooks

It is awesome seeing Beth on Smackdown. Her opponent seems to be a jobber but Matt Striker informs us that Brooks was the only person to defeat Beth in amateur wrestling so perhaps this could be something of a tryout match for Brooks. Beth slams Jenny to the mat and stomps and punches away before connecting a huge punt to the mid section sending Brooks tumbling to the outside. Beth hauls Jenny into the ring and connects a beautiful delayed vertical suplex. Beth connects a back breaker before shoving Jenny into the corner and dragging her back out and Beth drops her with a clothesline. Implant Buster from Beth and it is all over

Result: Beth Phoenix defeats Jenny Brooks via pinfall *

Chris Considers: Whilst this was a squash for Beth, she showed more wrestling ability in this match than many WWE Divas have done in the last six months! I loved how Matt Striker gave this match some back story and the pop for Beth after the match suggests WWE may be forced to turn her face especially if she is facing the despised Michelle McCool

Match 3: Eric Escobar with Vickie Guerrero vs Matt Hardy

Before the match Vickie comes out to heat heels could only dream off. Vickie asks the crowd to excuse her announces that tonight she has come dressed as Princess Vickie Guerrero and she introduces her Prince Charming: Eric Escobar. Matt Hardy gets a great pop and poses to the fans as the match gets underway. HUGE ‘Hardy’ chant as the match gets underway. Escobar hits a shoulder charge dropping Matt but he missed an elbow drop allowing Matt to strike with drop kick sending Escobar into the ropes. Matt hits a running leg drop which he shouts out to the crowd is called the 319 before striking away at Escobar in the corner but Eric comes back with stomps and strikes but after whipping Hardy across the ring he misses a charging clothesline and Matt comes back with a clothesline and a bulldog. Matt heads to the top rope but Eric is up and strikes away before setting up for a superplex but Matt elbows him off and connects a nice moonsault to a pop from the crowd. This gets a near fall for Matt who sells an injured knee after the pin attempt and Eric is straight to work on the knee stomping, kicking and dropping elbows onto the injured limb. Another huge ‘Lets go Hardy’ chant breaks out from the crowd and Matt responds by getting both feet up in the corner dropping Eric to the mat. In a rather awkward looking spot Matt runs into Escobar who hits a scoop slam before taunting Matt who promptly counters another slam with a neck breaker and pins for the three count and victory.

Result: Matt Hardy defeats Eric Escobar via pinfall *

Chris Considers: I do not know what has happened to Eric Escobar, he was so good in FCW but has been absolutely dire so far on Smackdown. I remember a similar thing happened with Kevin Thorne when he debuted as Mordaci and got shell shock. Perhaps that is what is happening here or WWE are making him look like a rookie on purpose, I don’t know but he was awful here once again and to be defeated by a lowly neck breaker says it all. Thankfully Matt is on the right track once again and my rating here is no reflection on his work which is always top notch but Escobar needs to up his game as I cannot see him being given many more chances!

In Ring Segment: Rey Mysterio & Batista

We see a wonderful video package of Batista turning heel which was highlighted by the point in the match Rey cost Batista certain victory. When Batista turned to Rey and said ‘Im gonna rip you head off’ I actually got goose bumps! Rey gets a nice pop and walks to the ring looking dejected. Rey says we all saw what happened at Bragging Rights where Dave Batista beat him down. Rey said as much as this hurt physically it hurt far more inside as he considered Batista his best friend in the world and still does. Rey says at first he was angry about what happened but it is more important to him that Batista being his family. Rey says he owes him the benefit of the doubt and calls Dave to the ring to straighten this out like men and the family that they are. Batista’s music hits and some fans still pop for him although it is mostly boos from the crowd. Batista strolls to the top of the ramp and walks to the ring looking indifferent. Batista asks Rey is he is disappointed he hurt him, Batista said Rey just doesn’t get it and he doesn’t know how bad this is going to get for him. Batista asks Rey who he thinks he is calling him out and Batista is going to be the bigger man and give Rey one opportunity to walk away and out of his ring. Rey goes to walk away but then decides better of it to a pop. Rey said he came out to straighten things out and after everything they have been through they need to sort this. Rey reminds Dave it was a fatal four way match and did he want him not to try and tells him to let it go. Rey tells Batista he is willing to let bygones by bygones and says Batista is like a big brother to him and Rey looks up to him and what they have will last much longer than their careers and after they finish wrestling they will still be family. Batista looks unimpressed and asks Rey what he is thinking, Batista tells Rey he knows what he is thinking and that is he knows what little effort it took Batista to hurt Rey and what is Rey going to do now he doesn’t have Big Dave watching his back and Rey wishes he never stabbed Dave in the back and most of all what is Dave going to do to him if he doesn’t leave this ring right now. Rey says he would have never done what he did (poor English from Rey!) if he knew it was going to interfere with their friendship. Rey says accepting to be a part of that fatal four way was the biggest mistake he ever made. Batista tells Rey he has one last chance to walk away, Rey looks torn and then says he is not leaving and tells Batista to do what he has to do but Rey is not leaving until things have been straightened out. Rey begs Batista to think about everything they have been through and about Eddie. Batista tells Rey that Eddie is dead (huge heat from the fans at this) and he is not thinking about Rey or anyone else other than himself. Batista smiles and leaves the ring leaving Rey looking devastated.

Chris Considers: Wow how much better is Batista in the mic as a heel! As a face he was so flat and monotone and boring but now his character has some edge again he really came to life and seemed like he genuinely didn’t care for Rey in the slightest. The Eddie comment was perhaps in bad taste but I felt it gave Batista even more heat and I cannot wait to see this unfold over the coming weeks! Rey played the part of the innocent victim well here and I cannot commend both men enough for what this achieved in building their upcoming feud. That was the best promo Batista has given since his feud with Undertaker in 2007 hands down.

We see Batista walking backstage and Matt Hardy stops him. Matt says he knows it his not any of his business but he knows how close Rey and Batista were and they were like brothers and if anyone knows about brothers it is Matt and he urges Batista not to make the same mistakes he did when he turned on Jeff. Batista laughs and walks away but as Matt turns to make a phone call, Batista storms back from the door he just left from and hurls Matt into the wall and leaves him prone on the floor. A great way to put Batista over as a heel just that little bit more!

Match 4: Drew McIntyre vs Finlay

Before the match Drew gets on the mic and sarcastically congratulates Team Smackdown on their victory at Bragging Rights. Drew says he never wanted to be on the team in the first place and he intends to make his own impact. Before Finlay even makes it to the ring Drew strikes with a big boot and hurls Finlay into the steps before pounding Finlay again and again on the mat. The referee hauls Drew off and tells him to leave but Drew nails a punt to the skull before surveying his handy work and stalking to the back.

Result: Drew McIntyre vs Finlay ends as a no contest n/a

Chris Considers: Drew just gets better and better. No one has out and out taken it to Finlay like that since JBL during their feud at Wrestlemania 24. Working with Finlay will do wonders for Drew’s career and I look forward to some very stiff and brutal match ups! Great call from WWE Creative putting these two together.

In Ring Segment: Cryme Tyme host a Divas Halloween Contest

Cryme Tyme talk some gangsta and they introduce the divas who don’t even get their own intros. Natalya is dressed as matador, Layla as Michael Jackson ( I would say this was in bad taste but Layla is a well documented huge Jackson fan) Michelle McCool is dressed as the devil and Mickie James as Electra. Cryme Tyme introduce the girls, Shad chases Natalya’s red flag, Layla dances with JTG, Michelle takes a shot at Shad and Mickie prances around with sais. Cryme Tyme ask the crowd who should win, I personally think it was split between Layla and Mickie but Mickie is given the win. After the match things predictably break down into a cat fight. Natalya drops Layla with a clothesline, Mickie takes out Natalya but is subsequently taken out herself by Michelle.

Chris Considers: Well it was shorter than last years Diva Halloween Contest…. At least it sowed seeds for a Mickie vs Michelle feud which will be decent and also suggested Layla may be once again turning face now that Eve has left.

Match 5: CM Punk vs Scott Armstrong

I cannot believe I am actually going to have to sit through this. Punk still draws a tonne of heat on his way to the ring but this may not last if he is continued to be booked like this! Scott Armstrong doesn’t even get generic music as he makes his way to the ring. Punk laughs at Scott and forces him into the corner and screams at him that he would have been a four time champion if Armstrong had done his job. Punk asks Armstrong who he thinks he is and slaps him. Scott has had enough and nails three right hand to Punk’s face that were a hundred times better than Shane McMahon’s ‘ghost punches’ all those months ago! Punk looks furious and drops Armstrong with a huge kick before stomping and kicking away and mocking Scott on the floor. Punk pulls him to his feet and nails a GTS before putting his foot across Armstrong’s throat and pinning him for the victory. Punk continues to mock Armstrong after the match.

Result: CM Punk defeats Scott Armstrong via pinfall n/a

Chris Considers: I am not even giving this a rating. I cannot understand where they are going with this and CM Punk and us fans deserve better than seeing him beat up referees. I wonder what is next? CM Punk vs Teddy Long… garbage!

Main Event: Kane vs Chris Jericho (winner is added to the Heavyweight Championship match at Survivor Series)

The crowd is solidly behind Kane as Jericho immediately bails to the outside. The crowd boo Jericho and he eventually gets back in the ring and slaps Kane before hitting strikes and kicks before trying a cross body but Kane catches Jericho in mid air and hits a scoop slam for an early near fall. Overhead takedown from Kane followed by a low drop kick to the face for another near fall. Jericho comes back with kicks and forces Kane into the corner and connects repeated kicks but Kane comes back with a big boot but misses a splash and Jericho comes back with a low drop kick of his own for a two count. Jericho strike away but Kane calls for the Chokeslam which Jericho counters but doesn’t have the strength to lock in the Walls of Jericho and gets booted to the outside into the announce desk. Kane follows and tosses Jericho back into the ring but as he tries to climb through the ropes Jericho strikes with a kick to the head followed by a charging shoulder block which sends Kane crashing into the security barrier as we go to commercial. Back from the break and Jericho is stomping away in the ring and taunting Kane. Jericho chokes Kane in the corner and is dragged away by the referee. Jericho catapults Kane into the bottom rope and covers for a near fall before applying a seated headlock. The crowd rally behind Kane who powers to his feet and back slams Jericho into the turnbuckle. Jericho gets a boot up and goes for a Bulldog but Kane counters with a sidewalk slam for a near fall and drops Jericho with a series of clotheslines before whipping him across the ring and connecting a charging clothesline in the corner. Another sidewalk slam from Kane earns a near fall and Kane gets Jericho to his feet only for Y2J to connect with a step up enzuguri which sends Kane rolling to the outside. As Kane climbs through the ropes Jericho tries a springboard axe handle but Kane catches Jericho for a Chokeslam only for Jericho to elbow his way free. Jericho runs straight into a big boot which earns Kane another near fall but as Kane attempts a third sidewalk slam Jericho flips out of the move and hits a Codebreaker out of nowhere but it is only good for a near fall as Jericho is slow making the cover. Jericho kicks away and connects a Bulldog followed by a Lionsault but Kane catches Jericho as he lands and pulls him up before nailing a Chokeslam but it sends Jericho rolling to the outside. Kane struggles to his feet and tosses Jericho back in the ring and pins for a near fall. Kane is furious and hauls Jericho to his feet but as he goes for a scoop slam Jericho flips out of the move once again and shoves Kane into the turnbuckle before hitting a chop block and this time Y2J gets the Walls of Jericho locked in. Kane refuses to give in and makes it to the ropes and Jericho breaks the hold. Kane drops Jericho with a massive uppercut and heads to the top rope but Jericho gets to his feet and crotches Kane onto the top rope and sets up for a superplex but Kane headbutts him off and flies off the top rope with an axe handle but Jericho connects an awesome looking mid air Codebreaker for the pinfall and victory.

Result: Chris Jericho defeats Kane via pinfall to become a member of the Triple Threat match at Survivor Series ***

Chris Considers: This was a very good match that showcased some excellent ring work from both men. I liked how Jericho learned from his mistake in this one and after getting caught twice in a sidewalk slam he was able to counter it the third time. Kane looked good here and I do wonder what is next for him. Perhaps we will get a Brothers of Destruction vs Jeri-Show tag match in the coming weeks! I am pleased Jericho qualified as I certainly could not have handled seeing a triple threat between Taker, Show and Kane. The thought of Taker vs Show was bad enough but thankfully Jericho will save this match and make it fresh! Great main event to top off a hit and miss show.

First off I would like to say what a great job Matt Striker did on commentary tonight. His knowledge and random factoids added so much to the matches and it gave perhaps the best indication yet that it is only a matter of time before he is promoted to one of the big shows. I would love to see him work alongside JR! This was something of a mixed show, Eric Escobar was once again appalling, CM Punk showed that his main event run is at an end for now and he is reduced to wrestling referees whilst the divas had ANOTHER Halloween contest although at least this one built some potential rivalries. On the flip side Jericho and Long got the show off to a great start with a wonderful opening promo. Drew McIntyre continues to show both promise and savagery and I cannot wait to see him get in the ring with Finlay. Morrison and Dolph Ziggler had a great opening match that was something different to what we have seen from them before and hopefully we will get one more pay per view match from them. Jericho and Kane had a very well wrestled and entertaining main event but the highlight for me was Batista as a heel on the mic, I will never rate Dave as a wrestler but tonight he had me more interested in his character than I have been since 2005 during his feud with Triple H and he deserves major credit for that. Matt Hardy vs Batista has been announced for next week and that should be a good match!

This week’s match of the night was Chris Jericho vs Kane and the show scores a good if not spectacular 7.5/10

That’s all for this week’s edition of Chris Reviews Smackdown, As I mentioned earlier I have asked my boss to try and rearrange my hours from now on so I can devote more time in the week to my writing here on WNW so lets hope this happens. I hope you all have a great week! As always you can email me on a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com , add me on facebook: www.facebook.com\wnws.chris.jacks  or follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/WNWsChrisJacks  I would love to hear from you!

Here are ten points to consider coming out of this week’s show
• Chris Jericho has really upped his game recently as people were starting to cheer him and I think he picked up on this and has gone that extra mile to get over as a heel even more. The best in the world at what he does? You better believe it!
• I love how Morrison constantly pushes things with his promos, his premature comment to Dolph was priceless
• I really enjoyed Dolph vs Morrison and hope we get one more match with Dolph finally winning that illusive Intercontinental Championship!
• I really enjoyed how Matt Striker made Beth vs Jenny significant with his factoids about their past, otherwise this would have just been any old squash
• I don’t know why Eric Escobar is wrestling SO badly on Smackdown, the guy is uber talented, maybe WWE are making him look bad on purpose so he will increasingly need Vickie’s help which will in the end get him over more as a heel but then never considered a legitimate threat until they let him show what he can really do
• That was the best Batista promo I can remember in a long time! There is something so much more interesting about his character as a heel and he comes across as genuinely menacing. I am excited to see where both he and Rey go over the coming weeks
• Drew McIntye is going to have a HUGE future, hopefully next week he will get a proper match with Finlay which would be stiff and well worked by both!
• The ONLY good thing to come from that Diva’s Halloween contest was that is has sown the seeds for Mickie vs Michelle which would be awesome but I hope Beth is also added to the mix, now that could be the best Women’s match in YEARS (in WWE obviously)
• I cannot fathom why CM Punk has been dropped down the card and is now facing referees. He was the hottest property in WWE throughout the Summer but is being chronically misused at the minute
• So the two top tag teams in WWE are involved in separate main events? In my mind this is an opportunity missed for a good tag team match between DX and Jeri-Show but at least it is not just Cena vs Triple H and Big Show vs Undertaker AGAIN!

My top ten matches of the year so far in WWE

1: The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels – Wrestlemania – April 5th 2009
2: Legacy vs DeGeneration X – Breaking Point – September 13th 2009
3: CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy – Smackdown – August 28th 2009
4: Rey Mysterio vs Chris Jericho – The Bash – June 28th 2009
5: Rey Mysterio vs John Morrison – Smackdown – August 4th 2009
6: CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy – Summerslam – August 23rd 2009
7: Rey Mysterio vs Chris Jericho – Smackdown – July 10th 2009
8: Jeff Hardy vs John Morrison – Smackdown – July 31st 2009
9: John Cena vs Randy Orton – Bragging Rights – October 25th 2009
10: John Morrison vs CM Punk – Smackdown – June 26th 2009

Smackdown Power 10

1: The Undertaker
2: Chris Jericho (+5)
3: Batista (+1)
4: CM Punk (-3)
5: Rey Mysterio (-2)
6: John Morrison (-1)
7: Dolph Ziggler (-1)
8: Kane
9: Drew McIntyre
10: Matt Hardy (NE)

Watch any WWE programming you miss at www.Dailymotion.com  , your online source for TV shows!

Tags: Batista, Beth Phoenix, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Cryme Tyme, Dolph Ziggler, drew mcintyre, Eric Escobar, Finlay, John Morrison, Kane, Matt Hardy, Rey Mysterio, SmackDown, Smackdown Power 10, Survivor Series, Teddy Long, Vince McMahon