Hey everyone and welcome to this weeks edition of Chris Reviews Smackdown. In this weeks blog I will be discussing TNA Turning Point, Christian Cage possibly returning to WWE and more. Please read and be sure to leave some feedback via the comment board.

As you know Smackdown this week was taped from my home country of England. I wish I had been able to attend the event but as with the previous tour the tickets to the TV tapings sold out in no time at all and when I looked on ebay a ringside ticket was going for an average of £800 (about $1400) This is ridiculous seeing as I could go to Wrestlemania for that kind of money but next year for the Wrestlemania Revenge tour I will be there without fail especially as hopefully Jeff Hardy will have just won the WWE title!

I don’t know how many of you have checked out TNA Turning Point but I simply cannot say enough about how good an event it really was. In a similar way to how WWE always deliver with No Mercy, this was one B Pay per view you really don’t want to miss. Every match was good, with a few being outstanding. Kurt Angle vs Abyss can be considered one of the MUST see matches of the year and the X-Division seeding match was phenomenal. Turning Point was easily on a par with Lockdown (my previous pick for best TNA Pay Per View of the year) and when released on DVD I recommend picking it up as you will not see a better TNA wrestling show all year! If TNA continue to deliver shows as good as this, they may finally be able to increase their ratings and get more people interested in their product. The best thing about Turning Point was outside interference and run ins during matches were kept to a minimum and those that did have interference made sense in relation to the current storylines (such as the MEM interfering in the main event) unlike a few months ago where we had Abyss making the save on Taylor Wild. If the next TNA Pay Per View is as good as this one I will give it a full review in my blog!

Now the biggest news this week is that Christian Cage could possibly be on his way back to WWE and I could not be happier about this. Whilst I really enjoy Christian’s work in TNA, I think he has now reached the peak of his career and deserves a main event spot in WWE to gain the most exposure to the masses. There are so many potential storylines and feuds for Christian to engage in if he comes back. Obviously he could team back up with Edge but I would personally like to see him as a face challenging for one of the main titles. There is also the tantalising prospect of brining Tomko back as well and either having him team with or feud with Christian and this would be something to see. My dream storyline would be Edge temporarily turning face and siding with Christian and helping him win a world title only to betray him later down the line and feud over the title for about six months. This would be compelling viewing.

On a slightly unrelated note I got the Hardy Boyz logo tattooed on my arm the other week. When it has healed up I will post I picture up. I think it looks awesome!

WWE made some more cuts to the roster this past week and we saw Lena Yada, Kenny Dykstra and Elijah Burke all released. Well Lena Yada was fair enough because she really was not used and didn’t have much potential, I still think she was head and shoulders above Eve Torres who really doesn’t belong on the Smackdown roster but that’s just my opinion. Kenny Dykstra had a ton of potential but really never fulfilled it and especially after reading his blog regarding his release I think it is a pretty safe bet to say he had it coming. I think Kenny has some serious growing up to do and then perhaps could return to wrestling with TNA being his most likely destination. Elijah Burke is a big loss and I simply cannot comprehend how or why WWE was not utilising this incredibly talented young man to his fullest potential. Burke was outstanding as the leader of the New Breed and had an excellent feud with CM Punk in the wake of the release of ECW originals. I seriously hope that at some point down the line WWE rehires Burke and gives him another chance, I was impressed with both his ring work and his mic work and hope he gets another chance to show us what he can do. In the meantime I could see him being a upper mid card talent on TNA possibly as a replacement for Christian (yes I really think Burke is that good)

In last weeks poll I asked who you would like to see as the new RAW general manager and it defiantly caused a split. Shane McMahon and William Regal both managed 25% of the vote with Val Venis running in third with 21%. I choose Venis as my fifth option because he is an incredibly popular figure on RAW that is criminally underused and I think the general manager role would suit him perfectly as he has the mic skills unlike a certain Mr Adamle. My pick for the role: JBL came in fourth with 17% of the vote and I guess that either shows you want to continue to see him wrestle or would rather see Regal in the role and I am hoping it is the latter. My thanks go out to everyone who voted, I am enjoying this interactivity and it will be set to continue over the coming months. Keep and eye out for the next Talent Exchange which I have some big plans to make it the most interactive predictions blog ever written.

This week saw the end of the funniest title reign in recent history when Santino Marella dropped the intercontinental title to William Regal live from Manchester this week on RAW. Now I know some of my readers will be delighted by this as Santino seems to not be to everyone’s taste but I personally find this to be a travesty. Santino was comic genius as Intercontinental Champion and I truly believe WWE were on to a good thing with him and the Honk-a-Meter. The fact Regal is champion is also a plus because it means we will have some competitive and gripping title matches but in terms of comedy I think Santino really should have come closer to beating the Honky Tonk Man’s record. Anyway my poll for this week is:

Do You Think It Was The Correct Decision For Santino To Drop The IC Title?
( surveys)

So with the weeks major stories discussed it is on to this week’s Smackdown.

The show opens with a video recap of Jeff Hardy flipping out and taking things to the extreme last week. I am looking forward to seeing the match between Hardy and The Undertaker tonight. We go to ringside and a casket is in the ring. Undertaker cuts a promo about darkness and punishment and tells Big Show he will be punished for his sins and his soul will go to hell. Jeff interrupts from the titantron to a massive pop from the crowd. Jeff looks scary tonight like something out of a gothic horror movie. Hardy cuts a fantastic promo saying he is sick of being sorry and tonight he has nothing to lose. Undertaker told Hardy he would rest in peace! This was an outstanding opening to the show and I am liking the darker side of Jeff Hardy. It seems he is not a heel just a man intent on achieving his goals and the whole dark gothic thing appeals to me very much.

Our first match of the night was ECW Champion Matt Hardy facing US Champion Shelton Benjamin. I guess this could be pay back for Matt after losing the US title to Shelton all those months ago. Shelton starts off attempting to out mat wrestle Hardy and succeeds until Matt is able to lock Shelton in a headlock with his legs. The crowd rally behind Matt but Shelton counters and locks in an arm bar. Matt fights out and drops Shelton with a back elbow before locking in a hammerlock. The crowd are hot for Hardy despite this slower technical approach. Nice spot with Shelton trying to roll out of the hammerlock only for Hardy to follow through the roll and keep it locked in. Shelton nails a slam but Hardy somehow keeps the lock on! Finally Shelton escapes with an amazing flip combo off the second rope as we go to commercial. Back in the ring Matt nails his elbow drop for a two count. Hardy went for a suplex but we saw an insane counter from Shelton who looked like he was going for a neck breaker but instead kicked Hardy’s injured knee. Shelton then goes to work on Hardy’s leg locking in some impressive submission moves and taking Hardy to the ring apron and nails a nice leaping elbow drop onto the injured leg. Back in the ring Hardy battles out of a spinning leg lock and nails the Side Effect for a two count followed by Hardy’s typical Bulldog for another near fall. Matt misses a diving elbow and Shelton takes Hardy down with a big kick to the jaw but Shelton only gets a two count. Amazing double diving knee attack by Shelton against Hardy in the corner but on the third attempt Hardy counters with a high flying side effect. We get a fantastic series of counters as Hardy counters Pay Dirt but then Shelton counters the Twist Of Fate into a neck breaker. Shelton goes for a Superplex but Hardy knocks him back and hits a Moonsault! This only gets a two count and Shelton somehow counters the Twist of Fate again and locks in a one leg Boston Crab. Hardy makes it to the ropes and Shelton looks furious and starts stomping on Hardy. As Shelton charges to hit Pay Dirt, Hardy hits the Twist Of Fate out of nowhere for the pinfall and victory. Wow what a match! Technical wrestling at its best from two of the best workers in the business! I simply cannot express how good this match was! Check it out!

The Brian Kendrick was in action next in singles action against Carlito. Carlito gets a massive pop from the Manchester crowd. I guess due to the lack of tag teams Kendrick and Ezekiel are being used as a tag team for now. We see a very unexpected mat wrestling opening from these two high flyers with Kendrick having the early advantage. Kendrick goes to work with his heavy kicking offence but Carlito fights back and misses a moonsault but nails a drop kick followed by an arm drag take over. Kendrick goes outside the ropes and hits a big kick to Carlito’s wrist and then goes to work on the injured arm. Primo tries to fire up Carlito from the outside and Carlito manages to fight back wit a superb swinging neck breaker. Kendrick kicks out at two and sends Carlito into a ring post followed up by a very unique camel clutch. However Kendrick misses a high flying knee and gets nailed by some strong strikes and a perfectly executed high flying back elbow. Carlito then sends Kendrick into the ring post but Ezekiel drops Primo on the outside causing Carlito to be distracted and allowing Kendrick to nail The Kendrick for the pinfall and victory. Another excellent match here and it was good to see Kendrick in a competitive match for a change. I hope this feud continues over the coming weeks.

Next up is the official contract signing for Survivor Series between Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov. Vickie is in the ring and getting some major heat from the English fans. You can tell this match is a big deal as I don’t believe we have seen a contract signing on Smackdown for some time. Vickie talks about how Jeff Hardy may get another opportunity if he can beat The Undertaker but for now it is all about Kozlov and Triple H. Kozlov stalks to the ring in street clothes and Triple H makes his way out to a heroes welcome from England! Triple H makes a few jokes at Vickie’s expense about her size which gets the crowd going as the crowd chant for Triple H. Kozlov signs the contract and speaks some Russian to Triple H who looks confused and asks the crowd if anyone picked that up and told Kozlov that 15,000 people did not understand him. Triple H tells Kozlov he must be nervous. At this point Jeff Hardy in full make up flies at Kozlov and drops him through the table. Jeff then rips up the contract and tosses it in Triple H’s face. Wow! Great segment, although it certainly screams out that WWE Creative have no faith in Kozlov as a main eventer yet as it seems inevitable Jeff will be added to the mix at some point.

The man with the biggest losing streak in WWE: MVP was up next in singles action against none other than Kung-Fu-Naki. MVP dominates Funaki for a minute until Khali makes his way to ringside and distracts MVP and he gets nailed by a Crane Kick by Kung-Fu-Naki. Khali then drops MVP after match with a chop and then we get a UK kiss cam. Singh picks a shining example (?) of British beauty as Khali’s lucky lady for this week and Khali decks MVP once again. What a classy woman as she shouts in true British fashion “Bring it On!” (I promise not all English women are like this!) MVP tries to interrupt and gets Khali Bombed for his troubles. Khali then suggest out lovely English lady lays one on MVP instead and she does much to MVP’s disgust! This was a hilarious segment that built on the growing rivalry between MVP and Khali. Something tells me MVP will be the sole survivor in the Team HBK vs Team JBL match at Survivor Series though.

It is Divas Championship time next with the long anticipated match between Michelle and Maria. Maria is just as over here in England as she is Stateside and Michelle interestingly gets next to no reaction at all. Michelle dominate early on here but just as Maria begins to get into the match Jesse and Festus come to ringside. Nice enzuguri from Maria knocking Michelle from her feet. Nice sunset flip attempt from Maria but Michelle counters into her heel hook submission move and its all over. Well that was kind of a non event and hopefully they will get another chance to go at it for a longer match as both are capable of so much more. As the bell rang for the finish Festus went ape and tried to beat Michelle. However he then gave a teddy to Maria and she poses in the ring with Jesse and Festus. Nice to see the Festus and Maria angle being continued but the fact this title match was a third of the length of the John Cena promo from earlier in the night says it all really.

It is main event time as Jeff Hardy makes his way out to a crazy ovation from the Manchester Crowd. I wish I had been there! The Undertaker makes his way to the ring to a big pop. Hardy starts by trying to take down the Undertaker by his speed and somehow clothelines Undertaker over the top rope. Jeff then hits his missile leg drop and runs the side walk connecting with a suicide dive! Great stuff as Hardy tries again only to be caught by Undertaker and slammed into the ring post. Back from commercial and Undertaker is in control in the ring. Undertaker tosses Hardy to the outside and then hurls him into the ring barrier. Taker then drops Hardy onto the announcers table and then throws him onto the ring apron and connects with some big strikes. The Undertaker gets a chair and then delivers his leg drop co-chair-to style. Undertaker is in complete control as he hurls Hardy into the steel steps but somehow Jeff fights back with a kendo stick and beats down the Undertaker and hurls him back in the ring. Taker levels Hardy with a big boot and interestingly the crowd boo hard. I guess that shows everyone here in England is just as behind Jeff as I am! Undertaker then nails Jeff with the Kendo stick and sends him to the outside. Undertaker (as always) misses his running knee as Jeff ducks to one side. Jeff battles back and the crow seem unsure whether to cheer or not. Undertaker goes for snake eyes on the steel steps but somehow Jeff counters and sends Taker into the steps instead. Jeff then tries a vintage Hardy Boyz dive knocking Undertaker into the barrier but taking a nasty bump himself in the process. Big headbutt from Undertaker drops Jeff to the floor and this is followed by a pin attempt but only gets a two count. Undertaker goes for Old School to a chorus of boos but Hardy counters and drops Taker on the ropes. Jeff goes under the ring and comes back with a huge ladder, however a big boot from Undertaker drops both Jeff and the ladder. Undertaker then hurls the ladder at Jeff and sets up the ladder. Jeff somehow counters Undertaker’s Irish Whip and connects with Whisper In The Wind. Unfortunately Big Show lumbers to the ring and proceeds to ruin this outstanding match by beating down first Jeff and then Taker. However Jeff fights back and holds Big Show in the ropes as Undertaker delivers a very stiff chair shot! Nice! At least the extreme rules stipulation means there can be no disqualifications with this one! Jeff then nails Undertaker with the chair and proceeds to hit an INSANE leg drop on the Undertaker for the pinfall and victory! Awesome, awesome match slightly hurt by the interference but it was almost as if Jeff and Undertaker teamed up to dispose of Big Show before resuming the match. I loved this match and was so happy to see Jeff pick up the win. I cannot express how much I wish I had been there to go nuts for the end of that one! After the match we see Jeff backstage with Vickie and she tells him if he can beat Triple H in singles action next week then he will be added to the Survivor Series main event and we will have ourselves the Triple Threat match we should have had at Cyber Sunday.

This week’s edition of Smackdown was just off the charts! WWE always deliver big time with their international shows and this was no exception. The only dud of the night was the blink and you will miss it Divas Championship match but that was so short I am not even taking it into consideration. I enjoyed the continuation of the Khali vs MVP angle and Kendrick and Carlito gave us a very, very good competitive match. I am thinking Ezekiel vs Primo next week maybe? Now match of the week is a tough one. You all know how much I love Jeff Hardy and his match with Undertaker was phenomenal, however it did not need the interference and for that reason I am giving it to Matt Hardy and Shelton Benjamin for the best TV wrestling match since Jeff Hardy and Shawn Michaels earlier this year. Whilst it may be a little slow for some tastes this match personified everything I love about wrestling and I strongly suggest you check it out even if you give the rest of the show a miss.

This weeks Smackdown scores a perfect hometown: 10/10

That is all for this week, Please vote on this weeks poll and I will discuss the results again next week. I have already read the spoilers and it sounds like one hell of a show once again from my home country of England! Leave some feedback via the comment board or drop a line to a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com and I will be glad to chat to you.

Until next time Jeff Hardy will do whatever it takes to become WWE Champion (and if that means going extreme on Vickie so much the better!)

My top ten matches so far this year in WWE:

1. Edge vs Undertaker - Summerslam – 17th August 2008
2. Jeff Hardy vs Triple H – No Mercy – 5th October 2008
3. Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels – No Mercy – 5th October 2008
4. Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels – Unforgiven – 7th September 2008
5. Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels – Wrestlemania 24 – 30th March 2008
6. Edge vs Undertaker – One Night Stand - 1st June 2008
7. Triple H vs John Cena – Night Of Champions – 29th June 2008
8. Edge vs Undertaker – Wrestlemania 24 - 30th March 2008
9. Triple H vs Jeff Hardy – Cyber Sunday – 26th October 2008
10. Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho – Great American Bash – 20th July 2008

Smackdown Power 10

1: Triple H
2: Jeff Hardy (+1)
3: Vladimir Kozlov (-1)
4: Shelton Benjamin
5: The Undertaker
6: R-Truth
7: The Brian Kendrick (+1)
8: The Colons (-1)
9: The Big Show
10: The Great Khali

Watch any WWE programming you miss at: http://newagewrestling.niceboard.com all you have to do is register and then you can watch your pick of some of the greatest matches in the history of pro wrestling as well as all of today’s great shows.

Tags: Carlito, Christian Cage, Elijah Burke, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Santino, Shelton Benjamin, Smackdown Power 10, Survivor Series, The Brian Kendrick, The Undertaker, Triple H, Vladimir Kozlov