Hey everyone and welcome to this week’s edition of Chris Reviews Smackdown. In this week’s blog I will be discussing my disappointment at WWE not going with a Jericho vs Morrison program, Lance Hoyt’s chances of making an impact in WWE, answering your questions and reviewing this week’s show. Please read and be sure to leave some feedback via the comment board

First off, for all of the people who keep asking, I am in my third year at the University of Northampton in the UK. I am studying a BA Honours degree in Film and Television studies which has allowed me to incorporate plenty of wrestling related topics into my coursework which is pretty awesome. My dissertation which is taking up most of my time at the minute is on The Rock and his transition from a wrestler to an actor and how ideas of Hollywood Star Theory can be applied to the Rock’s action work and also how theories of action stars can be applied to the Rock during his WWE days as well as examining critical response to his acting roles. I will be completing the course in the next few weeks which will give me much more time to devote to wrestling writing and hopefully I will be able to bring you more columns on a weekly basis. But the next few weeks are going to very hectic so bare with me as the blogs might be a bit late due to my work load.

I have a wrestling merchandise request. I am seeking The Rock’s white Team Bring It T-shirt that he wore during 2001/2002. I have searched countless wrestling merchandise sites as well as Ebay on multiple occasions and I cannot find this item anywhere. It is one of my favourite pieces of Rock merch and I would love to own it. I require the item in size: adult medium. If anyone knows where I can get one or if you have one you want to sell, please drop an email to a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com

In my opinion WWE have really dropped the ball with John Morrison and Chris Jericho. This had the potential to be an amazing feud but now after their match on Superstars appears to be already over. This was a great match and showed how awesome a feud between the two could have been. Now it seems Jericho will be feuding with Rey Mysterio and Morrison work an extended program against Shelton Benjamin. Jericho vs Mysterio does not offer as much to me as Jericho vs Morrison. Whilst a Rey vs Jericho program will be good I do not see Rey Mysterio in the same league as Jericho as Jericho is a main event, world title contender and despite the fact Rey is more than capable of having spectacular matches with anyone, I do not see him as a world champion ever again after his disastrous run in 2006 so a feud between the two does not really seem to accomplish anything. Morrison on the other hand could really learn from the experience of working with a top heel like Jericho and it would really help get him over with the fans as a babyface especially as both Morrison and Jericho have the mic skills to back up their great ring work. Shelton Benjamin, whilst being a phenomenal athlete still does not really have the mic skills (which is why I think his career has permanently stalled in WWE) and he is not over as a heel in the same way someone like Jericho is and the fans reaction to the match last week as opposed to Morrison vs Jericho from Superstars is testament to this. If WWE is serious about establishing Morrison as a top babyface then they need to have him go against the top heels like Edge, Jericho and even Umaga to give the fans a reason to cheer for him. Morrison vs Benjamin and Jericho vs Rey will be good but Morrison vs Jericho would have been spectacular and I really hope we still see it at some point down the line.

Lance Hoyt has signed a development deal with WWE. I am very surprised at this news as despite having the look I do not see Hoyt ever really making an impact in WWE. In TNA Hoyt and Rave were pretty much used as enhancement talents for the latter part of their careers. It amazes me that WWE would sign Hoyt and not look at guys like Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt or Johnny Devine who are all stand out athletes and unique in ring performers and Williams in particular could easily perform at the top of the WWE card. Whilst Hoyt has a good look, his in ring work does not stand out enough and I think he is in danger of becoming just another big guy akin to Mike Knox. That is just my take on things but the WWE roster is already packed full of big guys with similar move sets, so unless Hoyt can develop and work a different style, in my opinion he is going to struggle in WWE.

So now it is on to your questions. My inbox had been absolutely flooded this week so if your question did not make it into this week’s blog please feel free to email me with further questions and I will try and feature you in the future. As always keep the emails coming to a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com

Shawn sent the following: What do you think of Bret Hart and HBK today after the Montreal screwjob more than a decade ago? Do you have any heat towards any of them and do you think HBK is a changed person? (WNW Reader =) Shawn

Hi there, this is a great question and actually something I have not been asked before. After reading plenty of reports of the incident and after having seen both Shawn and Bret’s DVD accounts of the matter I can honestly say I do not have any heat towards either man. Bret was a proud and honourable guy and I truly believe he would have kept his word and surrendered the title the following night after having a successful defence in front of his beloved Canadian fans. I think for anyone to suggest otherwise is an insult to Bret’s integrity. However in hindsight Bret’s decision to switch to WCW, as good as it was financially, was perhaps not the best thing for his wrestling career as I believe he would have been far more successful had he remained in WWE as I was then, and am now very critical of how WCW booked Bret. He should have been one of their top guys and sadly this was not the case for the majority of his stay there. The biggest thing, in my opinion, to come out of the incident was the creation of the Mr McMahon character that we have all come to know and “love” Vince immediately made himself the biggest heel in wrestling for what he did to Bret so from a business perspective it was a smart move and despite Hunter and Shawn now admitting they had a part in it, Vince will always be known as the man that screwed Bret (despite his repeated claims to the contrary lol) From all accounts when Shawn first left the business with the back injury after his match with Austin, he was a really hard guy to work with and very arrogant and self centred but since his return in 2002 I think we have all seen a changed man, and a changed one for the better. In 2009 Shawn Michaels is every inch the professional and I think people will always remember his return as the best years of his career from a work rate perspective. In my opinion the Montreal screwjob was an unfortunate incident from an integrity perspective as I believe Bret deserved better, however from a business perspective it was a smart call from Vince as it created not only the Mr McMahon character but a huge buzz and controversy which is still discussed and debated to this day.

Brandon sent the following: Hey it’s WNW’s would-be South African correspondent Brandon van Reenen again! Quick question, Chris. Which WWE superstars do you feel are the most underrated and which are the most overrated?

Hey there, Well I am sure if WWE ever travels to South Africa you will do some correspondent work for us! There are so many examples of both overrated and underrated superstars in WWE so I will give what I think are the three best examples of each

Underrated Superstars

1 – Jimmy Wang Yang – Yang is a phenomenally talented athlete who is incredibly over with the crowd. However WWE seem oblivious to this fact and instead use him as nothing more than an enhancement talent. Yang draws a great response wherever the company travels and deserves far more than what he gets. It seems ever since the cruiserweight belt was abolished WWE do not know what to do with guys like Yang when all they need to do is put him in decent match ups with the likes of Noble, Jericho, Mysterio and the feuds would write themselves. His tag team with Shannon Moore was great and they were one of the most over babyface tag teams of recent years and it was mind boggling that Shannon was released. If I were Yang I would seriously consider jumping to TNA as he could be a major player in the X-Division.

2 – Shelton Benjamin – Whilst Shelton cannot cut a good promo to save his life, he has improved on the mic since he began his gold standard gimmick and I believe if given time he could improve this further. Shelton’s athletic ability has never been in question and he is one of the most talented athletes on the WWE roster. Shelton should have been in the main event two or three years ago and all it would take to propel him to the top of the card would be an effective mouth piece. Just look at what Tony Atlas did for Mark Henry’s career! Shelton could have phenomenal matches with everyone from Rey Mysterio to The Undertaker. In my opinion he would make a great world champion. It is just a shame WWE seem to lack faith in a guy who is so obviously talented.

3 – Jillian Hall – Jillian Hall is a great women’s wrestler. Her finisher is the 450 Splash. Problem is no one actually knows this because she has not won a singles match for over three years. Jillian could and should be working right at the top of the women’s division, putting on spectacular matches with the likes of Beth and Mickie James. Problem is she has been saddled with a terrible gimmick that had run its course at the beginning of 2008 let alone 2009. If I were WWE I would build Jillian up by having her defeat the likes of Kelly Kelly and the Bellas and make her a serious title contender as she deserves far better than what she is currently getting from the company.

Overrated Superstars

1 – Batista – Batista may very well be the most overrated superstar of all time. He brings NOTHING to the WWE that stands out. His mic work is poor, his ring work is average, he is injury prone and the only thing he really has going for him is his look. Despite these considerable short comings Batista has remained one of the most over babyfaces in recent years. No one boos him and yet no one I have ever met who likes wrestling has ANYTHING positive to say about him whatsoever. Batista has featured in a ridiculous amount of title matches since 2005 and honestly in my opinion he does not warrant it. I really liked him when he was a heel and his feud with Triple H was awesome but ever since then his character has been flat and booked as far to dominant. I cannot express enough how much I am not looking forward to his match with Orton at Judgement Day and my one hope is WWE turn him heel soon as I think that would seriously freshen up his very stale character.

2 – Vladimir Kozlov – It is questionable whether Kozlov is rated at all anymore but he still dominates far to much ECW TV time every week for my liking. It seems WWE forgot they had him going over jobbers for months on Smackdown (which got boring fast) and now they are doing the same with him on ECW. Kozlov has flopped in every big time match he has ever taken part in and I am dreading his eventual title clash with Christian because my biggest fear is that the match will be a disaster and WWE will blame Christian rather than the incompetent Kozlov. If you cant have a good match with Shawn Michaels, Triple H or The Undertaker then it is never going to happen and WWE should just cut their losses with Kozlov and let him go.

3 – Shane McMahon – It seems after Monday’s RAW that Shane will be gone for quite awhile to recover from his “shattered” ankle. I couldn’t be happier because I cannot stand the way Shane has been booked ever since he first began feuding with Orton. He has made Legacy look weak and inept on multiple occasions and the fact it usually takes three full time wrestlers to beat him down is absurd. It is impossible to suspend you disbelief when Shane is involved in a match as he is booked far to superior and instead he should be Ted and Cody’s whipping boy rather than the other way around. His feud with Legacy should have been a way to elevate Ted and Cody but instead it has damaged them and I place all the blame firmly at the feet of the executive vice president. Keep him off TV!!!

Former WNW ECW Blogger Anthony sent the following: Hey man. Love the blogs every week. I was just wondering if you actually watch WWE Superstars? Like many I don’t have the channel that it is on but I catch it every week online and am impressed by some of the matches they have and I’m sure some of them are worthy of entering you Top 10 matches. Peace Anthony O’Reilly.

Hey dude! Thanks for the praise as always! In the UK we do not get WWE Superstars at all, but like you I watch it online. I haven’t seen all the shows but I saw this week’s edition with the excellent match between Morrison and Jericho as well as the one a few week’s ago with Edge vs Kofi. I think the show is pretty awesome and I wish they would make it available to a bigger market, maybe screen it online like they to with ECW or something as I think fans who enjoy more wrestling from the WWE product would certainly enjoy this show. I think Cody is doing a great job with his coverage for WNW and if I miss the show, his blogs provide the perfect recap for me. As for matches making my top ten, well I would say only Edge vs Kofi comes close so far. We have had some incredible matches recently which is why that match is not on the list.

Jamie sent the following: Hey Chris. Do you see any wrestlers in TNA, ROH or the indys (if you follow the indys) who you think could be successful in the WWE?

Hey dude, Wow that is an epic question. There are so many examples of TNA and ROH guys who could make it HUGE in WWE if given the chance. The problem I think is sometimes WWE signs guys like Chris Harris and Colt Cabanna and then doesn’t know how to use them properly and they end up saddled with crappy gimmicks. I could probably name twenty names off the top of my head but instead I will narrow it down to, in my opinion, the best in ROH and the best in TNA.

Austin Aries – The more I see of this guy in ROH, the more I want to see him in WWE. Aries has the look, ring skills and mic work to compete at the top of the business. I cannot ever recall seeing him in a bad match in ROH (his TNA run was questionable but that was down to the stupid way they booked him) I watched his match with Tyler Black from the Final Battle 2008 Pay Per View the other day and was blown away. Aries also has the rare ability to work equally well as a face as he does a heel and could provide just as credible opponent for Jeff Hardy as he could for Randy Orton. Hopefully one day Aries will sign with WWE and we will see him in action against Punk, Bourne, Jeff, Edge, Jericho, Mysterio etc. Sometimes I see guys who are great in ROH; Cabanna, Jamie Noble etc who then struggle in WWE but I think if they signed Aries there is simply no way in hell they could mess it up as he really is the definition of That Damn Good!

Samoan Joe – My two first choices from TNA would be AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. However as much as I would love to see AJ in WWE, I do not think they would book him correctly and he would struggle to find the main event success he will in TNA. Angle is the best wrestler in the world but we have seen him in WWE before and whilst I would relish the chance to see him again (especially wrestling Jack Swagger) I would rather see new stars. Joe is one of the most unique athletes I have ever seen and his hardcore devoted fan base would be fully behind him in WWE. His look might count against him somewhat but Joe can cut one hell of a promo and only AJ and Angle can keep up with his TNA ring work. Joe could work a great technical match with someone like Edge or Jericho but also have an outstanding hard hitting brawl with someone like Cena or The Undertaker. Of all the talent on the TNA roster that I rate highly (Daniels, Beer Money, MCMGs, AJ) I think Joe would have the best chance at working at a main event level in WWE and they should make every attempt to sign him when his TNA contract is up.

So with the discussion out of the way it is on to this week’s edition of Smackdown

The show opens with Teddy Long in the ring welcoming us to Friday Night Smackdown. Teddy Long welcomes Rey Mysterio to the ring to a big pop from the fans. Rey thanks Long and tells the fans it feels good to be home on Smackdown. Rey said last week he came so close but Jeff Hardy was a better man that night but Rey doesn’t mind as he knows he will get another chance to challenge for the World Title. Rey says until then he will continue defend the Intercontinental title against anyone willing to get in the ring and face the 619. Chris Jericho storms to the ring and gets in Long’s face and tells him if he wants the opportunity if he wants the honour of introducing the face of Smackdown then he can do so right now as Jericho is the face of Smackdown and demands Long introduces him. Long refuses and Jericho tells him he knew he wouldn’t and runs down a list of his accomplishments and how his very presence makes Smackdown the preeminent brand in WWE, so true! Jericho moans that all he gets is disrespect from fans, the locker room and fly by inept night general managers like Long. Jericho is drawing so much heat which is great to see. Long tries to speak but Jericho cuts him off and demands an apology and demands an explanation as to why he was disqualified in a supposedly no disqualification fatal four way match. No one in WWE history has been disqualified from a fatal four way so why was Jericho? Jericho runs down Rey Mysterio, telling him that he had no chance of winning anyway which leads to Rey shouting at Jericho to shut up. Jericho laughs at Mysterio and tells him to watch his mouth. Rey repeats what he said and shoves Jericho to the floor before speaking to him in Spanish before telling Jericho he doesn’t need his crap and neither do the fans and he leaves the ring. You know for a PG era segment I suppose that was pretty edgy stuff! Jericho mocks Mysterio as he walks away, saying this is exactly what he means about being disrespected when Jeff Hardy’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation. Jeff tells Jericho if he wants respect and a title match then he has to beat Jeff, the charismatic number one contender. Huge “Hardy” chant from the fans, Jeff tells Jericho without the fans he would be nothing and he is looking at the biggest liar and hypocrite he has ever seen in his life. Jeff challenges Jericho to a match tonight and if Jericho wins he will be added to the match at Judgement Day but when Jeff wins he can prove to everyone exactly what Jericho is. A very sore loser! Jeff slaps Jericho and the fans erupt for Jeff. Jericho stalks from the ring and Long announces that it’s official and if Jericho beats Jeff then it’s a triple threat at Judgement Day. Awesome opening to the show here. Jericho is just on another level with his mic work and Jeff truly had the crowd lapping it up during his promo. Great stuff!

Our first match of the night sees R-Truth rapping his way through the crowd, over as ever. His opponent was the debuting Mike Knox. Wow that is one hell of beard! Amusing comment from Grisham as when Knox’s music hit Grisham said “speaking of terrible”! Truth with some strikes but Knox powers him into the ropes before whipping him into the corner but Truth leap frogs over him before hitting a nice spinning kick but Knox nails a powerslam before hitting some knees to Truth on the mat. Knox with a headlock before another whip but Truth hits and elbow and some strikes before a nice dropkick followed by the Scissors Kick which connects for a near fall. Truth hits a nice missile drop kick of the top rope for another near fall whilst Grisham calls Truth “the best pure athlete in WWE” erm ok… Out of nowhere Knox hits a big boot jumping kick followed up by his finisher for the pinfall and victory. Bit of a nothing match here really. Truth dominated before Knox hit two moves and won the match. I guess he will be squashing the babyface undercard for the next few weeks then.

Divas are in action next and Michelle McCool seems to have gained herself a lackey in Alicia Fox. What a waste! Alicia should have teamed back up with Edge! Michelle’s opponent is the ever impressive Gail Kim so this should be a good match. Michelle with a head lock takeover before mocking Gail doing some push ups and bowing for the crowd which draws some heat. Michelle whips Gail into the corner but Gail leaps onto the ropes, over Michelle and hits a drop kick followed by a sweep for a one count. Michelle takes a time out and in an amusing spot Michelle uses Alicia as a human shield and throws her into Gail. Gail throws Alicia into the security wall before tossing Michelle back in the ring and hitting some kicks but Michelle hurls her into the ropes for a two count before some mounted strikes. Michelle with a head scissors submission move on the mat but Gail fights out and nails a boot and elbows before a drop toe hold and a series of clotheslines. Gail hits a blockbuster from the top rope but Alicia puts Michelle’s leg on the ropes causing the referee to break the count. Michelle with an awesome counter as Gail goes for a Hurricanranna Michelle reverses it into the Styles Clash for the pinfall and victory. Short but solid divas action here, these two work well together and I would be happy to see them feud to become the number one contender for Melina’s belt.

Josh Matthews is interviewing Jeff Hardy and asks for his thoughts on facing Chris Jericho tonight. Jeff says Jericho is just a distraction and all of his nonsense ends tonight and after Judgement Day all people will be talking about is Jeff beating Edge for the heavyweight championship.

In Teddy Long’s office Maria and Ricky Ortiz are sitting on a couch. Ortiz tells Maria to keep it up and Rally Up! Mike Knox and Dolph Ziggler get matches and Ortiz gets a segment with Maria? I guess his future is not looking bright. Edge storms in and mocks Ortiz before asking Teddy who the hell he thinks he is. Teddy tells Edge he is the General Manager and what does he want. Edge tells him that he shouldn’t be giving Chris Jericho a shot at getting in the Judgment Day match but Long tells Edge he is lucky to be champion at all seeing as how CM Punk came so close last week to beating him so tonight Edge would once again be facing Punk.

John Morrison makes his way to the ring to a small pop but some loud screams from some ladies. Morrison’s opponent was Charlie Haas being accompanied by Shelton Benjamin. So even Haas gets a match before Ortiz? He may as well quit now already! We get a clip from the awesome Jericho vs Morrison match from superstars which Benjamin interrupted. Haas slams Morrison to the mat and engages in some mat wrestling before some strikes and kicks drops Morrison to the mat. Morrison whips Haas into the ropes and hits some kicks before dodging a charging Haas and hitting a springboard dropkick for a near fall. Morrison hits an overhead throw and mocks Shelton before hitting some strikes and uppercuts to Haas. Morrison goes for a whip but Haas reverses and whips Morrison hard into the turnbuckle before going to work with stomps and kicks. Haas chokes Morrison on the ropes and hits some shots to the head before bouncing Morrison’s head off the turnbuckle. Haas hits an awesome double arm suplex for a near fall. Morrison tries to fight back but Haas hits a big boot followed by a tilt a whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Bow and arrow submission from Haas but Morrison with an amazing counter, somersaulting through the move and hitting a boot to Haas’ face. Morrison hits some strikes followed by a dropkick and a clothesline. Shelton is very animated on the outside, if only he showed this much passion in his promos! Morrison with a great leaping kick before countering a charge with a boot and a drive by kick to Haas’ face. Morrison sets Haas up and hits an amazing split legged corkscrew moonsault for the pinfall and victory. Wow that was some move! Morrison beckons Shelton to come get some in the ring but the Gold Standard retreats up the ramp. Excellent match, Haas proved once again he is a solid wrestling talent despite being often overlooked in WWE. Shelton showed the passion I wish he would deliver in his promos from the outside and Morrison was brilliant. That corkscrew moonsault was spectacular!

We get a recap of the events between Edge, Punk and Umaga last week as CM Punk makes his way to the ring to a good pop from the crowd. Edge draws some serious heat, no love for the world champion this week! Edge evades a kick and locks in an arm bar which Punk reverses into one of his own. Edge fights out and the two lock up before Edge bounces Punk’s head off the ropes and whips him into the corner but misses an elbow and Punk hits a nice arm drag take down before continuing to work over Edge’s arm. Punk tosses Edge over the top ropes and hits a suicide dive to a big pop from the crowd. Punk tosses Edge back in the ring and comes off the top rope but Edge ducks and hits a big boot. Edge drops an elbow before hitting repeated elbows to Punk’s head for a one count. Edge locks in a seated full nelson but Punk powers out into the GTS position but Edge counters and drops Punk with a very unique submission move locking both of Punk’s arms. Punk fights out and we get a mid air collision dropping both men. They struggle to their feet and the two slug it out. Edge goes for a suplex but Punk fights out and nails some kicks, a drop kick and a springboard clothesline for a near fall. Punk misses a charging knee in the corner and Edge has Punk up for an electric chair but Punk counters with a victory roll for a near fall. Punk gets Edge up for the GTS but Edge counters again only for Punk to whip him into the corner and connect with the high knee. Edge counters the bulldog but Punk gets him up for the GTS again only for Edge to grab the ropes and leap off. Edge goes for the Spear but flies through the middle rope to the outside. Punk beckons Edge back but Edge backs off and Punk gains the count out victory. Punk screams at Edge to get back in the ring but doesn’t see Umaga who hits the ring and nails Punk with a superkick before hitting the Blackhole slam followed by a Samoan Spike leaving Punk devastated on the mat. I guess we will be seeing Punk vs Umaga at Judgement Day then! This was an excellent technical match between Edge and Punk, they have great in ring chemistry together and I am just not convinced Umaga and Punk will have the same.

Cryme Tyme make the way to the ring for another pointless segment. This week it seems we have an arm wrestling contest. Cryme Tyme do the YO! and AKA thing again before talking about their Brooklyn Breakdown last week. The crowd are DEAD! Had I been there I would have shouting BORING at this point! Apparently this is no ordinary arm wrestling this is super duper Cryme Tyme slammy whammy something or other. What a way to kill a hot show! Layla fakes an injury part way through to drag this segment out even more and as they restart Cryme Tyme are incredibly annoying on the mic. Surprise, surprise Eve wins and Layla takes exception to this and nails a neckbreaker on Eve before stalking up the ramp. Well there is ten minutes of my life wasted!

We see Dolph Ziggler backstage with Jesse and Jimmy Wang Yang. Dolph mocks them and tells them to listen up to what he has to say next. Back from the break and Dolph gets on the mic. He says he will be ripping through the entire roster to show everyone what a real winner is. Ziggler issues an open challenge to anyone on the roster and he states that tonight he will cement his name as the premiere superstar on the brand. Khali accepts the challenge and makes his way out to a big pop. Dolph tries to talk his way out of it and Khali hits a clothesline of doom followed by a chop and but Khali gets hung up on the ropes and Dolph nails some kicks before grabbing a chair and repeatedly hammering Khali with the chair getting disqualified but taking Khali out in the process. This was awesome! So many times people have issued an open challenge to Khali and got squashed but Dolph destroyed him with that chair and that is the perfect way to establish him as a heel to be reckoned with. Really well booked segment from WWE creative here!

JR and Grisham run down the Judgement Day card and CM Punk vs Umaga is now officially on the card.

Main event time and Edge makes his way to ringside to join JR and Grisham on commentary. Edge says he would rather Chris Jericho were not in the match as Jeff makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation once more, Edge mocks Jeff Hardy before saying he hates a whiner so he can understand where Jeff is coming from, Funny line from JR when he asks Edge how his wife was. Edge talks about how Jericho is defiantly not the face of Smackdown as Edge is. Hardy fires up the crowd but Jericho hits some strikes but Jeff takes Jericho down with a spear and hits a volley of blows. Jericho goes for a drop kick but Jeff holds back causing Jericho to drop on his back and Jeff nails his double leg drop kick for a near fall. Jericho fights back and goes for a slam only for Jeff to counter and hit a slam of his own. Jeff goes to the top rope but Jericho takes a time out avoiding the Swanton. Rey Mysterio walks down the ramp distracting Jericho allowing Jeff to hit an axe handle and toss Jericho back in the ring. Jeff bounces Jericho’s head off the turnbuckle and then avoids a charging Jericho and he flies straight over the top rope. Jeff whips Jericho into the security wall and sets up the steel steps for Poetry in Motion but Jericho dodges and Jeff takes a hard bump into the walls. Ironically Edge is cheering Jeff on to get back in the ring. Jeff just makes it back in the ring before the ten count but immediately gets rolled up by Jericho for a near fall. Jericho goes for another cover but Jeff gets his foot on the ropes breaking the count and we go to commercial. Back from the break and Jericho is choking Jeff on the ropes before pausing to mock Edge on the outside. Some great commentary banter between Edge and JR as Jericho flips Hardy into the ropes before taking him down with a knee to the gut for a near fall. Jericho applies an Orton Lock as Mysterio fires on Jeff from the outside. Jeff fights out and hits a clothesline. Before dropping Jericho with some strikes and going for Whisper in the Wind but Jeff slips allowing Jericho to hit some strikes. Jericho climbs the ropes and goes for a superplex but Jeff knocks him off and connects Whisper in the Wind for a near fall. Jeff misses an enzuguri and Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho. Edge urges Jeff to the ropes and he finally makes it. Jericho flips at the referee before sizing Jeff up. Jeff counters the Codebreaker and nails a face buster before ripping off his top and heading to the top rope. Jeff hits a Swanton but Jericho rolls out of the way and connects a Lionsault for a near fall, what an awesome spot! Jericho with some strikes as Edge talks up Jeff’s toughness as both men struggle to their feet. Jeff goes for the Twist of Fate but Jericho with a phenomenal counter turning it into the Walls of Jericho which Jeff counters and hits an inside cradle which Jericho rolls through for a near fall. What a sequence! Jeff clotheslines Jericho over the top rope and the action spills to the outside. Jericho hurls Jeff onto Edge before tossing Jeff back in the ring for a near fall. Edge gets up on the apron and berates Jericho allowing Jeff to hit the rollup for a near fall. Edge is disgusted and he grabs the title and leaves the ring. Jericho tries to pin Jeff with his feet on the ropes which Mysterio points out to the referee much to Jericho’s fury. Jericho screams at Rey and walks right into a Twist Of Fate followed by a Swanton Bomb for the pinfall and victory. Jeff and Edge stare down and Edge makes a hasty retreat. Back in the ring Rey nails a Seated Senton on Jericho and poses for the crowd sending Smackdown off the air. What a great main event. Edge was so entertaining on commentary that I had to rewatch this match four times just to call the action! The match itself between Jeff and Jericho was outstanding with some wonderful counter sequences. These two always deliver against one another and this was no exception. I imagine Jericho vs Rey for the Intercontinental Title will be added to Judgement Day next week.

Overall this was a great show once again. The opening promo and exchange between Long, Rey, Jericho and Jeff was really well done. Jericho just owns any mic segment he is a part of and this was no exception! Mike Knox’s Smackdown debut fell a bit flat for me as I felt he did nothing all match but then hit two moves out of nowhere for the victory. Michelle McCool and Gail delivered a very good divas bout and I am liking the new alliance of Alicia and Michelle despite the fact I believe Alicia would be better as Edge’s valet. John Morrison and Charlie Haas had a great encounter and Morrison now has one of the coolest finishers in wrestling. Punk and Edge delivered once again in a far more technical match up than any we have seen between the two previously and I was impressed. I hope Umaga and Punk have a solid encounter at Judgement Day. Once again I detested the Cryme Tyme segment and felt it was a real waste of the show and would rather have seen the time given to The Divas match or the opener between Truth and Knox. Dolph Ziggler’s segment was brilliant. I loved seeing him cheat and obliterate Khali with a chair rather than get squashed like so many before him, this was a great segment! The main event delivered on every level as Edge and JR bounced off each other so well on commentary whilst Jeff and Jericho delivered a great match. Judgement Day feuds were built very well throughout this show and I will be interested to see if Morrison and Shelton get a match on pay per view.

This week’s match of the week was Chris Jericho vs Jeff Hardy and the show scores a very good 9/10

I will be back next week with more Chris Reviews Smackdown as well as The Talent Exchange with our Judgement Day picks. Once again my apologies for the lateness but University work is taking up a stupid amount of my time at the minute. I hope you all have a great week.

Here are ten points to consider coming out of this week’s show
• How much did Chris Jericho own that opening segment!
• And I think Jeff really is evolving into the top babyface role well!
• If Mike Knox is going to be a force he really should have done more in his match!
• Things do not look good for Ricky Ortiz…
• How AWESOME in Morrison’s new finisher!
• What a great technical match from Edge and Punk! Lets hope Punk vs Umaga is half as good as that
• Didn’t Cryme Tyme just suck the life out of a great show!
• How well booked was Dolph Ziggler nailing Khali, I am starting to really like this guy!
• How entertaining was Edge on commentary!
• And how much chemistry to Jeff and Jericho have, I would happily watch them main event any pay per view!

My top ten matches of the year so far in WWE is back and here is the current list!

1: The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels – Wrestlemania – April 5th 2009
2: Chris Jericho vs Kane vs Jeff Hardy vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown – May 1st 2009
3: Christian vs Jack Swagger – Backlash – April 26th 2009
4: Smackdown Elimination Chamber – No Way Out – February 15th 2009
5: John Cena vs Edge – Backlash – April 26th 2009
6: Jack Swagger vs Christain – ECW – February 24th 2009
7: Edge vs CM Punk – Smackdown – May 1st 2009
8: Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy – Smackdown – 11th April 2009
9: RAW Elimination Chamber – No Way Out – February 15th 2009
10: Evan Bourne vs John Morrison – ECW – April 14th 2009

Smackdown Power 10

1: Edge
2: Jeff Hardy
3: Chris Jericho
4: CM Punk
5: John Morrison (+1)
6: Rey Mysterio (-1)
7: Shelton Benjamin
8: Dolph Ziggler (+1)
9: Umaga (+1)
10: Kane (-2)

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

Tags: Alicia Fox, Charlie Haas, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Cryme Tyme, Dolph Ziggler, Edge, Eve Torres, Gail Kim, Jeff Hardy, John Morrison, Judgement Day, Layla, Michelle McCool, Mike Knox, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, Shelton Benjamin, SmackDown, Smackdown Power 10, Teddy Long, The Great Khali