Hey everyone and welcome to this week’s edition of Chris Reviews Smackdown. My sincere apologies for not getting a blog up last week but after I got back from Bloodstock my work schedule was just too much to allow me any free time to write so unfortunately I haven’t even seen last weeks show yet but I have set aside some time tomorrow to watch it.

I really enjoyed Bloodstock and can quite honestly say it was the most metal festival I have ever attended! It meant I was totally out of touch with wrestling for a few days at which point there were even more WWE releases so I am going to take a minute to discuss them and then give you my thoughts on Summerslam.

Many of the WWE releases were expected as some of the wrestlers simply were not being used such as Big Daddy V and The Highlanders. However I feel very sorry for both Shannon Moore and Colin Delaney who were both TV regulars and had done exactly what WWE creative had asked of them. Moore was over on Smackdown and I certainly expect to see him return to TNA at some point in the near future. Delaney has apparently already returned to the indy scene and I fully expect to see him return to WWE at some point in the future. I was gutted when I read Stevie Richards had been released but he has been used so sparingly since his return from injury it is hardly any surprise. Also with the release of Nunzio that pretty much leaves Tommy Dreamer as the only surviving member of the original ECW currently on the WWE roster which is something that makes me sad but at the same time something I think we could all see coming. At least now hopefully this paves the way for some of the FCW guys like Colt Cabanna to make their debuts on TV.

It appears Mick Foley is done with WWE now and I will be sorry to see him leave. As much as Tazz and JR work well together I thought Foley brought something different and unique to the broadcast position that is going to be very tough to replace. However Matt Striker has been outstanding on ECW and I certainly think has found a new calling in his WWE career.

Summerslam delivered big time for me, with the exception of two matches, and I thought it was easily the second best WWE Pay per View so far this year after Wrestlemania. So much better than the mediocre event we got last year and without a doubt had my match of the year so far which I will come to later.

First off Jeff Hardy and MVP gave us a truly outstanding fast paced and enjoyable opener. Jeff got the biggest pop of the night in my mind no doubt. Either of these two or preferably both of them are more than ready to step up to the main event especially after such a quality match. I really enjoyed how Shelton came down and distracted Jeff and it certainly teases we may be getting some sort of new stable forming on Smackdown. Add Elijah Burke and Carlito to the mix and you have a stable that could challenge for gold on every front. Anyway, I loved this match and Jeff Hardy proved that he is one of the most insane performers on the roster especially as it was common knowledge he was wrestling with an injured elbow. Best opening match of any PPV so far this year.

Chris’ Star Rating: ****1/2

Now I was truly disappointed with the outcome of the Santino and Beth match. I was truly hoping for Santino to walk out of Summerslam as the new Women’s Champion as it could have led to some seriously funny segments on RAW. As it was I was impressed with how they came off last night but just felt it would have been so much more funny had Santino been women’s champion. The match was funny but was hardly a wrestling classic but was ok for what it was

Chris’ Star Rating: **

The ECW title match was a joke and shows just how devalued that title has become. I do not even class this as a match and the only thing that saved it was Jeff Hardy flying down to the ring to make the save. I do not even count this as a match and therefore it gets no rating. Hopefully when Matt and Mark Henry have their rematch on ECW this week we should at least get a proper match

Chris’ Star Rating: N/A

The Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho promo was some of the most intense and passionate mic work I have ever seen in WWE history. Chris Jericho will never ever be the same again and this was proved on RAW last night with the phenomenal amount of heat he drew from the crowd rather than the usual mixed reaction he has been getting recently. This should lead to one hell of a match between HBK and Y2J at Unforgiven. Great stuff!

CM Punk vs JBL was so much better than I was expecting it to be. It is clear JBL has been working really hard to sharpen his ring skills and get in better shape as he actually looked good in this match and his brawling style complimented Punk very well. I was pleased to see Punk legitimise himself as a true champion although I feel all the good work done here was spoiled the next night on RAW when he lost to Jericho albeit via some interference. However I am hoping Punk will at least hold the belt now until Survivor Series as he is getting more over with the fans each and every week.

Chris’ Star Rating: ***1/2

Triple H vs Khali was better than Big Show vs Khali. That is pretty much all I have to say about it. Khali is a waste of space who cannot take moves from his opponents properly and really needs to be used only as a bodyguard or something similar because all his match at Summerslam proved was that nobody not even Triple H is capable of getting a good match from him. Triple H worked hard and tried to sell Khali as dominant and devastating but he is just so unconvincing that not even the Game could save this from being by far the worst match on the card (excluding the ECW disaster)

Chris’ Star Rating: *

Now I have heard many mixed reviews of John Cena vs Batista but I personally loved it. I thought it delivered completely and had some outstanding spots from both guys especially Batista countering Cena’s move from the top rope into a sit down power bomb. For the first time in a long time John Cena sold an injury (his leg after the submission hold from Batista) and it was awesome to see Batista bring a different style to this match where you could tell he was paying homage to Ric Flair which was nice. I loved the finish where Batista was frustrated he could not take Cena down and just went savage and finished him with a Batista Bomb. Great stuff and a great match! I was surprised the crowd was so hostile towards Cena and so pro Batista as I was expecting it to be 50/50 but I guess despite the fact Cena is far more tolerable now that he is not dominating the title scene people still hate him for unfortunately. This match was not a classic but it came pretty damn close

Chris’ Star Rating: ****1/2

Now the main event was quite simply the best match I have seen in WWE since Undertaker vs Triple H at Wrestlemania 17. I really felt it was that good. Edge ever the innovator brought something unique and different to this hell in a cell with some absolutely insane spots such as the spear through the announcers desk and taking a chokeslam through the two stacked tables. This was truly the night that Edge reminded everyone why he is one of the greatest wrestlers in the world right now and without a doubt the most innovative of his generation. Undertaker worked a great match as well and showed he is still one of the best ever, taking as well as dishing out some brutal punishment throughout this insane encounter. I was mesmerised from start to finish and I loved how Edge was instantly on the offence none of this pussy whipped character we have seen of late. This match will go down in history as perhaps the best Hell In A Cell match ever. I enjoyed the ending with the sense that Edge was being sent to hell and I will be intrigued to see how he is brought back to TV in a few weeks time. I was slightly disappointed that Edge did not win the match, however the Undertaker always gets a big win on his return match and at least Edge looked credible even in defeat. Simply amazing.

Chris’ Star Rating: *****

So to sum up Summerslam was one hell of a show. If you but one WWE Pay Per View DVD this year buy Wrestlemania, if you buy two pick up Summerslam. You will not be disappointed. It was worth the cost for the Hell in A Cell Match alone.

Ok so with that out of the way it is on to this week’s Smackdown:

The show opens with a video package from Vickie pretty much apologising to the crowd for getting with Edge. She then announces that tonight she will lead the crowd in a standing ovation for the Undertaker. It is then announced that we will have a WWE title scramble match at Unforgiven making it probably the second most gimmicky pay per view of the year and not in a good way. This concept just seems like an excuse to get more guys on the pay per view rather than trying to build quality feuds and matches. I can only hope that Smackdown creative take this opportunity to elevate the likes of MVP and Jeff to the main event where they belong.

For our first match Maria is out to a big pop. Her opponent was the wrestling goddess Natalya. In a slightly related note I was gutted Cherry was released as I felt she had truly started to shine in recent weeks and was over nice with the crowd. It just goes to show that the people in power would rather see eye candy garbage like Maryse than a quality wrestler like Cherry. Maria actually looked better than I have seen her for some time in this match and hopefully a program with Natalya will help her improve her ring work. Nice counter when Natalya had a leg submission move locked in but this was followed up by some wussy clotheslines. Maryse came down causing a DQ which then led to the predictable save from women’s champion Michelle. This match did not need any interference as I felt it was flowing quite nicely. Oh well I guess we will be getting a feud between Maryse and Maria.

Next up Vickie tells Big Show she forgot about him for the championship scramble qualifying match which led to him coming out to watch the ten man Battle Royale which for some reason had five jobbers taking part including Funaki, Super Crazy and Estrada. The real competitors were Brian Kendrick, Kozlov, Hawkins and Ryder and Jimmy Wang Yang. My money is on Kozlov. Unbelievably Kozlov was actually eliminated first as he was taken out by about five guys at once. Big Show then gets in the ring and eliminates pretty much everyone including an impressive triple elimination of The Edgeheads and Supercrazy. Big Show thinks he eliminates Kendrick but he is caught by Ezekiel as Big Show literally throws Wang Yang from the ring. After Big Show leaves the arena Kendrick scrambles back in the ring and is declared the winner. Wow I did not see that one coming! Maybe too soon to begin a main event push for Kendrick but at least he will be in the mix and should hopefully do enough to get noticed at Unforgiven. This was a very quick match that was quite hard to follow and readers of my blogs will know I hate Battle Royale matches but this one had a unique twist and it is going to be great to see The Brian Kendrick on Pay Per View next month.

Next up we see another awesome R-truth promo. Killings is apparently debuting next week and that will be exciting stuff. I really wish Chris Harris had made the effort Killings has in coming to WWE!

Next up is another Championship Scramble qualifying match between MVP and Festus. Now this is what I am talking about! MVP needs to take this opportunity and then he will be a main event superstar for the next few years. MVP evaded Festus’ big blows early on but found himself caught in a big suplex and then a few minutes later was grounded by a huge clothesline. Wow, Festus is so powerful! MVP was able to gain control by throwing Festus into the ring post and then focussed on his arm connecting some big kicks and locking in an arm bar on the floor. Festus attempted to power out but MVP was able to get another submission hold locked in. MVP continued to grind down Festus’ arm as the match continued with Festus able to fight back to an extent but only for MVP to evade a charge and focus on the arm once more. Festus however came back with a big counter hitting a massive drop and then smashed the grounded MVP with a flying knee. MVP tried to get his usual time out only for Festus to follow him and ended up getting counted out after MVP kicked Jesse on the outside of the ring. After the bell went and Festus returned to his docile state MVP gave Festus his trademark kick sending him over the ropes. Very good match here with MVP looking impressive as ever. I am glad he will be on Pay Per View once more.

We have another qualifying match up next which featured Shelton Benjamin facing off against Finlay which instantly has match of the night written all over it! Before the match Shelton cut a good heel promo which drew some nice heat from the crowd. Finlay started off straight on the offence and hit a big elbow to the nose. Finlay showed us why he is one of the best mat wrestlers in the business and despite the fact the crowd seemed so dead for this one I was loving it from the get go. Benjamin opened up on Finlay and the match descended into a full on brawl. There was so much intensity between the two as they stared into each other’s eyes. Finlay then focussed Shelton’s legs until Shelton was able to grab the bottom rope. Some good evasion from Shelton as he dodged the on rushing Finlay causing him to hit his shoulder into the ring post. Shelton was immediately all over the injured shoulder connecting and pummelling Finlay ruthlessly. Benjamin went for a superplex from the top rope but Finlay was able to push him off only for Shelton to charge quickly back and knock him from the top rope. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago Shelton Benjamin has really shined since coming to Smackdown and is without a doubt making a good claim to be ready for a monster push. Beautiful spinning kick from Shelton nailing Finlay in the face followed up by a perfect T-bone suplex. Finlay fought back nailing some big clotheslines followed by the Celtic Cross. However Mike Knox went for Hornswoggle distracting Finlay allowing Benjamin to hit his Pay dirt finisher for the victory. Superb match that will be very hard to follow. The interference made sense due to the feud between Finlay and Knox and Shelton certainly deserves his spot in the championship scramble. Knox beat down Finlay after the match and I am looking forward to their clash on ECW this coming Tuesday.

Next up we see a recap of the excellent clash between Jericho, Michaels and Rebecca. You have to see this segment it was captivating! It is between Edge/Undertaker and HBK/Y2J for feud of the year no doubt!

Triple H makes his way to the ring and joins JR and Tazz on commentary. Some comedy comments from the Game mocking Khali. But then JR kept trying to get Triple H to put Khali over dominant. Jeff Hardy was out to a tremendous pop. Jeff used his quickness to evade Khali’s lumbering strikes but was nailed by a big boot as Khali connected some strikes and then locked in the nerve hold of doom. I actually think I am going to have to start muting commentary on Khali’s matches. It is so annoying hearing him being put over as such and impressive monster when we all know how useless he is! Jeff managed to nail the Twist Of Fate out of nowhere bringing Khali to the ground but as he went for the Swanton found himself distracted by Singh which allowed Khali to literally pick Jeff off the top rope and lock in the vice grip of doom. Triple H however had seen enough and nailed Singh with a big right hand and as Khali came over to check on his handler Triple H nailed him with a chair to the head whilst the referee was checking on Jeff. Khali stumbled about as Jeff went for the Whisper in The Wind which Khali accidentally side stepped but still went down like he had been hit with the move. Jeff then nailed a Swanton Bomb for the pinfall and victory as the crowd went ballistic for Jeff. Not a great match but I am delighted Jeff is going to be in the main event once more where belongs. Khali showed once again just how useless he is and why he needs to be a bodyguard.

Triple H was in the ring after cutting a promo on how he will still be champion after Unforgiven but he was interrupted by the returning Kenny Dykstra who received a Pedigree for his troubles. It was certainly good to see Kenny back on TV and hopefully he will be showing up on a weekly basis from now on. I also loved Triple H’s line about not just any Brian Kendrick: The Brian Kendrick. Priceless!

After this La Famillia sans Edge were in the ring as Vickie was apologising to the Undertaker saying she made a mistake and asking for the fans to join her in a standing ovation for the dead man. Undertaker was out to an enormous pop and entered the ring looking pretty mad. Vickie stuttered out more apologetic words as The Undertaker looked very unimpressed and as Vickie fell to her knees he took the mic and told Vickie he was here for her soul. After this Hawkins, Ryder, Bam and Chavo unleashed on the Undertaker and for awhile had the upper hand until Undertaker was able to fight back and chokeslam Hawkins and Ryder. He then made the death signal to Vickie as Smackdown went off the air. Very enjoyable segment and it is great to see The Undertaker back in action on Friday night’s. I imagine he will find himself in some sort of handicap match probably against Chavo and Bam at Unforgiven.

This was a solid edition of Smackdown. I did not care much for the opening divas match as I felt the ending was spoiled by the interference, also the Battle Royale did nothing for me but I was pleased to see Kendrick emerge as the victor. The Khali vs Jeff match was not great and actually featured the biggest mess up of the night where Khali evaded Whisper in the Wind only to go down like he had been hit by it. However Jeff won the match and that is what counts. The MVP vs Festus match was awesome and The Finlay vs Shelton match as outstanding and kind of makes me wish Finlay (not Hornswoggle) was still a part of Smackdown. And I loved the ending segment although I think creative need to give up on turning Vickie face as no one is ever going to accept her and she is going to draw heat whatever. Match of the week was Finlay vs Shelton no question.

This edition of Smackedown scores a solid: 8/10

Next week I would like to see more of Kenny Dykstra and am also psyched for R-truth’s debut. I will also be interested to see if Kendrick can continue his momentum as tonight he drew more heat than either MVP or Shelton and is well on his way to becoming a big time heel on Smackdown.

Please feel free to leave some feedback for me via the comment board. Or simply drop an email to: a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com or add me on Myspace: www.myspace.com/agreement_called_forever My apologies this blog is up a day late but I couldn’t get Smackdown to finish streaming online last night before I went to work.

Until next time: The Rated R Era has been sent to Hell!!!

My top ten matches so far this year in WWE:

1. Edge vs Undertaker - Summerslam – 17th August 2008
2. Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels – Wrestlemania 24 – 30th March 2008
3. Edge vs Undertaker – One Night Stand - 1st June 2008
4. Triple H vs John Cena – Night Of Champions – 29th June 2008
5. Edge vs Undertaker – Wrestlemania 24 - 30th March 2008
6. Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho – Great American Bash – 20th July 2008
7. Jeff Hardy vs Shawn Michaels – RAW - 11th February 2008
8. Jeff Hardy vs MVP – Summerslam - 17th August 2008
9. Batista vs John Cena – Summerslam - 17th August 2008
10. RAW Elimination Chamber – No Way Out – 17th February 2008

Smackdown Power 10

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

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Tags: Big Show, Brian Kendrick, Jeff Hardy, MVP, R-Truth, Shelton Benjamin, SummerSlam, The Undertaker, Triple H, Unforgiven