Hey everyone and welcome to this week’s edition of Chris Reviews Smackdown. In what has been a very quite week news wise I will be taking a look at the brief return of DX on Monday night as well as a fascinating and insightful interview from Jeff Hardy on his recent troubles as well as providing my usual in depth analysis of Smackdown’s MyNetwork TV debut. Please read and leave some feedback for me via the comment board.

First off I would like to apologise for my lack of feedback on the comment board last week but my new term at University is pretty hectic and I have also been suffering a horrific chest infection for the last week and a bit which has pretty much meant when I am not at uni I am in bed so computer access has been limited to say the least.

For those that missed it DX had another one of those “one night only” reunions this past Monday on RAW. Whilst many seem to feel this was a cheap way to try and boost ratings from my point of view it makes sense in story line terms for HBK to bring in some reinforcements to take on the combined threat of Jericho and Cade, and who better than 12 time WWE Champion Triple H. I for one certainly marked out big time when the DX music hit and seeing them together again has certain lost none of the nostalgia and appeal. Whilst I do not see Michaels being victories against Jericho on Sunday this was certainly a big statement from HBK that he still belongs in the main event scene and after the way he sacrifices his body pretty much every time he wrestles a match I think few could argue with him!

Jeff Hardy spoke very openly about his recent problems in an interview with the Baltimore Sun which you can read in its entirety at the following link: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/10/qa_with_jeff_hardy.html This is a fascinating and thoughtful interview that I fully recommend reading as Jeff talks in some detail about his suspension, the recent airport incident, a possible feud with his brother Matt and more. Jeff is a very down to earth guy and tells it like it is throughout and hopefully this will help shut some of his critics up.

Ok so now lets take a looks at Smackdown’s MyNetwork TV debut and if you remember last week I was concerned that there would be zero build up for No Mercy and I hoped that would not be the case tonight.

The new opening video for Smackdown is pretty cool but I am not a fan of the new song! Rise Against are not quite brutal enough for my tastes!

Opening the show we have an all star 8 man tag team match featuring Jeff Hardy, (who enters to one of the biggest pops ever!) Rey Mysterio, Finlay and Hornswoggle and also Batista facing off against MVP, (who gets run down by another Helms vignette) JBL, The Brian Kendrick and finally the Big Red Machine Kane. The Brian Kendrick and Finlay start things off with Finlay working Kendrick over with a series of hard hitting moves and tagging in Batista who nails Kendrick with a big spinebuster. Finlay is tagged back in who continues to work over Kendrick and allows Mysterio and Hardy to continue to grind down Kendrick. Kendrick managed to hit a big drop kick on Finlay and then proceeds to do the Kendrick dance but this is mocked by Hornswoggle on the outside who steals Kendrick’s Jacket much to the delight of the children in attendance. Kendrick chases Hornswoggle but is grounded by Finlay who in return gets clobbered by a huge clothesline from Ezekiel. The heels then work over Finlay in the ring with Kane looking particularly devastating. Finlay finally manages to fight back and connects with a big DDT on JBL and is able to get the hot tag to Batista who literally single handily destroys the heel team. We saw a very unique double team manoeuvre from Mysterio and Batista where Mysterio literally launched himself from Batista’s shoulders onto the prone body of MVP. However after setting up both MVP and Kendrick for a double 619, Kane pulls Rey from the ring as we got to commercial and as we return the heels are dominating Rey in the ring. JBL attracts some major heat from the crowd as he beats down Rey and taunts Batista. As MVP works over Rey the kids are chanting for the 619 but to no avail as Kendrick is tagged in. We get to see a glimpse of what could be an incredible feud between Mysterio and Kendrick. After Hardy is tagged in the match descends into chaos with Rey Mysterio hitting some high impact flying moves left, right and centre. Jeff Hardy finally picks up the win for his team after connecting the Swanton on MVP. This was a fast paced opening match that I really enjoyed. My problem was it certainly had the feeling of something you would see on Saturday Night Main Event and should not have been on Smackdown two days before a major Pay Per View. The commentary in particular seemed geared towards casual viewers or those who had never watched WWE programming before and I found this pretty frustrating to say the least.

Next we get a LONG video recap of the snoozefest feud between The Undertaker and Vickie and Big Show. I really hope this angle comes to an end this Sunday.

We get a meeting of general managers next with Adamle and Teddy Long being thrown out of Vickie’s office by Big Show who is apparently in charge tonight and puts Chavo in a match as punishment for causing Vickie to get injured.

Next up we have Santino making his way to the ring and cutting a hilarious promo and claiming he is champion Planet Earth! I laughed when he called Shelton: Goldilocks. We see a video promo from Shelton before the match running down Santino (guess they did not trust his live mic skills for Smackdown’s new network debut) Santino is hilarious saying he was the best after putting Shelton in a headlock. Shelton proceeds to take Santino apart hitting a big kick followed by Pay Dirt but is interrupted by R-Truth who makes his way through the crowd rapping to his biggest response yet. Shelton is clearly distracted and ends up getting rolled up by Santino for the pinfall and victory. Hilarious stuff! The look on Shelton’s face was priceless! I was glad to see Santino on Smackdown once again and this feud between Benjamin and R-Truth is heating up nicely. Looks like we are having some Smackdown storyline build tonight after all.

Big Show is out next and it turns out he is there to watch Chavo get annihilated as he has been placed in a handicap match against Mark Henry and The Great Khali. Bet Chavo wished he had agreed to a match against the Big Show instead now! Mark Henry started things off against Chavo who took it in turns with Khali to squash Chavo in short order. Khali locked in the vice grip of doom for the win. Wow that was… pointless. I cannot portray enough my distain for this angle suffice to say the only thing I enjoy less right now in WWE programming is the whole Rey Mysterio vs Kane thing on RAW. After the match The Big Show knocked Chavo out with one punch and then ran down The Undertaker but then predictably the lights went out and the Undertaker appeared in the ring and rather than being a dominant monster heel like he should be The Big Show backed down. Still more build for No Mercy which can only be a good thing.

Next up we had The Priceless Dream and Manu taking on Carlito, Primo and CM Punk in six man tag team action. Carlito and Primo got a nice pop as they entered and the response for CM Punk was phenomenal. Primo and Ted DiBiase started things off with Primo once again looking very athletic and lively. Nice simultaneous double drop kick from the Colons on Rhodes and DiBiase. Manu showed some great athletic skill as well covering a huge distance with his diving head butt. Carlito found himself in trouble with the heels for a time until he was able to tag in Primo who unfortunately found himself in the same situation. Primo managed to get the hot tag to CM Punk and the crowd went ballistic as Punk proceeded to give a martial arts master class to Ted DiBiase. After hitting a Bulldog, Punk went for the pin only for it to be broken up by Rhodes and Manu which caused the Colons to leap into action and take them out with some high flying tackles. Punk in the meantime was able to hit the GTS on DiBiase for the pinfall and victory. This was a fast paced and very enjoyable match that I really wished had been given longer on the card and scrapped some of the rubbish with The Big Show instead. All six guys did a great job together and I think it showed why really we only need one tag division stretched across all three brands as it would give guys like the Colons the chance to get some real competition more often!

Its women’s champion vs diva’s champion next as Beth Phoenix took on Michelle McCool. The entire roster of divas stood around the ring as lumberjacks. Candice is looking rough these days! Michelle seems to have borrowed some of Jeff Hardy’s arm bands for this match. This one should be a treat as Beth dominated with her superior strength early on. Very impressive back suplex from Beth Phoenix followed up by an overhead back breaker. Michelle fought using her speed and quickness knocking Beth from the ring but then it all descended into a bit of a cat fight on the outside as Beth was able to take advantage back inside the ring. Maryse distracted Michelle allowing Beth to hit the Glam Slam for the pinfall and victory. This was a good divas match that shows why Beth Phoenix is head and shoulders above everyone else on the RAW roster right now. If Candice takes that belt on Sunday I will boycott all future Women’s wrestling on RAW! The fact that Maryse caused the distraction once again furthered the feud between her and Michelle and my only regret is that it is not Natalya in this spot instead.

Next up we see a fantastic recap video of the latest in the Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels feud. I am so psyched about seeing that ladder match on Sunday and without a doubt it will steal the show and has MOTY candidate written all over it!

Next up its main event time and a three way champions triple threat match featuring Triple H vs Chris Jericho vs Matt Hardy. This match should be fantastic although I am worried Matt is just in the match to get pinned. Unfortunately we go to commercial and miss not only Jericho’s entrance but also the start of the match. When we return Matt Hardy is on the offence against Jericho inside the ring but is soon sent to the outside as Jericho and Triple H go at it as the Game connects a big Spinebuster on Y2J. Great spot as Triple H is able to Powerbomb Jericho who himself Superplexing Matt off the top rope sending all three men to the ground. Triple H goes for the cover but Jericho kicks out but minutes later misses with the Lionsault but is able to lock the Walls Of Jericho on Triple H right in the centre of the ring leading to a very tense moment where you thought The Game might just be about to tap out but Matt Hardy interrupted the submission move allowing Triple H to take a rest whilst Jericho and Matt go at it in the ring. Matt hit the Side Effect on Jericho but then ate Pedigree from Triple H for the pinfall and victory. As Triple H celebrated Jericho struck nailing the Code Breaker. As Triple H writhed on the floor Y2J pulled out a ladder but made the fatal error of striking Matt Hardy which caused Jeff to hit the ring taking out Jericho and rushing to his brother’s aid. As Triple H got to his feet Jeff nailed The Twist Of Fate and the crowd erupted. Jeff then set up the ladder and was about to hit a Swanton on the fallen champion until Kozlov hit the ring. Jeff went for a cross body but fell victim to a head butt in mid air and Kozlov then dismantled Triple H further with his DDT finisher. Wow! What an ending! I marked out big time when Jeff hit the Twist Of Fate as did the entire crowd. I think this shows who we all want to see as our WWE champion! However with all of the Kozlov interference of late something tells me we will not be seeing a clean finish come Sunday night! This adrenaline rush of an ending almost completely made up for the lack of No Mercy build throughout the show and something important to consider is that Smackdown only has two matches on the card anyway and with that ending the title match was advanced very well indeed! Great Stuff!

This was defiantly the all star kick off that we were promised and despite the fact that elements of the show had a Saturday Night Main Event feel to it for the most part I enjoyed most aspects of Smackdown this week. We saw some fantastic matches although I wished the six man tag match between the Colons, Punk vs Priceless Dream and Manu had been given more time. The Big Show/Undertaker stuff continues to bore me and I hope it all ends on Sunday. I enjoyed the hilarity of Santino Marella and also the continuation of the feud between Shelton and R-Truth and Beth Phoenix’s power never ceases to amaze me! Match of the week was without a doubt the main event and the phenomenal ending which had me marking out like a nostalgic sixteen year old all over again! Let us hope No Mercy delivers big and Smackdown continues this strong run it has now started on MyNetwork TV

This Weeks Smackdown Scores an impressive: 9/10

That’s all for this week. I will be back shortly with the Talent Exchange alongside Anthony. Next week I will deliver my Pay Per View thoughts as well as the usual news round up and discussion. Please feel free to drop an email to: a_agreement_called_forever@hotmail.com or add me on myspace: www.myspace.com/agreement_called_forever and I will see you all on the comment board during the week.

Until next time The Rated R Era is resting in peace!

My top ten matches so far this year in WWE:

1. Edge vs Undertaker - Summerslam – 17th August 2008
2. Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels – Unforgiven – 7th September 2008
3. Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels – Wrestlemania 24 – 30th March 2008
4. Edge vs Undertaker – One Night Stand - 1st June 2008
5. Triple H vs John Cena – Night Of Champions – 29th June 2008
6. Edge vs Undertaker – Wrestlemania 24 - 30th March 2008
7. Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho – Great American Bash – 20th July 2008
8. Jeff Hardy vs Shawn Michaels – RAW - 11th February 2008
9. Jeff Hardy vs MVP – Summerslam - 17th August 2008
10. Batista vs John Cena – Summerslam - 17th August 2008

Smackdown Power 10

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

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: Big Show, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, DX, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, No Mercy, SmackDown, Smackdown Power 10, The Undertaker, Triple H, Vladimir Kozlov