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Wrestling’s 4R’s 5.13.13: WWE Smackdown & Updated PPV Rankings
How the 4R’s of wRestling Work!
Here is a quick explanation of the 4R’s. The column will run TWO times a week. We will group our feelings on the shows in various categories: The Right, the wRong and the Ridiculous. The Right is stuff that worked very well: a great promo, a great match and so on. PuRgatoRy is a section between the right and wrong. It shows equal traits from both sides that cannot be ignored and needs discussed. It is not a bad place per say, as things can get remedied or go the wrong way the very next week. The wRong is what it sounds like: bad matches, bad or boring promos and so on. The Ridiculous is stuff that had no right on TV: Stupid angles and so on. And there is always a possibility of a 5th R, which is as bad as they come. This column is supposed to be analytical, and at the right time very critical of the shows, it was the whole reason it was created. This is not a “mark” column, nor a “smark” column, our goal is to analyze the show from many different fronts, reward the good and call out the bad. We will not apologize for our opinions, they are as they are, whether positive or negative.
No Impact:
Note From Jack McGee
Hello readers, Jack McGee here. You may have noticed that there were no Impact Rs last week. That is because of my job, yeah, real life and all. Unfortunately for the column my job and new position (which is very good for me) will not allow me to do the column any more. I have talked with Larry and thanked him for the chance to write about TNA, as it has been a ton of fun. In talking with Larry, and I let him know about all of this very late, he has already talked with someone on staff that will be taking over or me. So basically, my apologies for the lack of TNA thoughts, but I do want to thank you for reading my work here on 411. I will still be around the MMA zone, and will still be doing the TNA Power Rankings; unfortunately I just will not have the time for anything else. Ghost of Buddy Rogers, keep it real man, you were always fun to read.
By: Tony Acero
Smackdown! 05.10.13:
QUICK RESULTS
– Kofi Kingston Defeated Cody Rhodes [*1/2]
– Big E Langston and Jack Swagger fought to a No Contest [NR]
– Dean Ambrose Defeated Daniel Bryan via DQ [***]
– Big Show Defeated Tensai [NR]
– Chris Jericho Defeated Ryback via DQ [**1/2]
SOME REEL HIGHLIGHTS: Any show that starts with Jericho is Right by me. Ok, perhaps not everyone, but this particular start was a nice surprise as we ended the voice over and went immediately to Jericho in the ring. Of course, this was to sell the main event of Extreme Rules, and although I didn’t fully appreciate Ryback’s little promo, the opening segment didn’t offend me. I think the only thing that really bothered me was Teddy Long coming out and making the main event as if it wasn’t going to happen anyway, or that they didn’t have one and this was his super idea. It’s minor, but bothersome.
WORLD TITLE PICTURE: I felt really indifferent about this segment, partially because I wanted to see the match that Big E and Swagger could have had. Still, I considered the moment and everything surrounding it and I think I like what went down here. In fact, with the exception of two Dolph losses, I’ve really liked the natural progression of this feud since the beginning. I think every guy has been made to look equal for the most part, and I think the ladder match they are going to have could be a solid affair.
AMBROSE: Although I’m not sure how I feel about the ending, the match itself was good and looked to be picking up. In regards to Kofi coming down and causing the DQ, it’s simply a matter of how seriously we can take Kofi – which is to say, we can’t take him seriously at all. I’m willing to attempt to try and believe that he will be a factor, but we have subconsciously been trained to assume that Kofi is simply inconsequential to the entirety of the WWE and any stories he may be involved in.
Slight digression aside, it’s awesome to see Ambrose getting love and trust from the higher ups. He’s a dude I’m sure we all see great things in and is just the right side of unique to be something big in the future. Bryan always brings the goods, and here was no different. Best match of the night, I think.
SECRET AGENT KHALI: Anytime Khali is in the ring, we’re flirting with wRong territory. The past few weeks, however, they have given Khali a voice, and as incomprehensible it may be, there is hilarity to be had because of it. The Kaitlyn/Stalker thing seems to be hinting towards The Bellas messing with Kaitlyn, and I suppose that’s all right considering it’s the first time in forever that a storyline is surrounding the Divas. My beloved AJ was here, and she looked as adorable as ever. This probably belongs in the puRgatory section, but I had fun so let’s just call it Right.
JERICHO V RYBACK: This was a solid main event that was marred by a surprising yet lackluster ending. Another DQ? With only one real match on the card tonight, I would have expected something different. Still, this is a continuation of pretty strong efforts on Ryback’s part. He is taking risks in the ring, and growing as a wrestler. No longer are we getting non-important squash matches that served absolutely no purpose. No, we are now implementing the idea of a monster as a wrestler, and although not amazing, Ryback is doing just what’s expected of him meaning the match with Cena may not be all that bad.
KINGSTON WINS: There was nothing really wRong with this decision at all, but it just felt…there. Especially coming off of the nice ass match Rhodes had with Orton last week. As we see later in the show, Kofi seems to be moving up the card of importance, and he is holding a belt so the win isn’t a shock. I wouldn’t have minded more time and less recap videos, but for what it was worth, the match wasn’t bad…just short.
HENRY: First, I want to say that seeing Mark Henry pull two trucks was nothing short of amazing, but this doesn’t detract from the fact that the booking for all this is just odd. It STARTED with physical attacks and is seemingly ENDING with tests of strengths. Aside from that, when looking at the feud as a whole, it’s Henry that is acting more of a face than Sheamus, and the character of Sheamus (that of the jolly ol ginger) is getting more and more annoying as it toes the line of Cena-territory humor and apathy towards actions. How are we to like Sheamus if he cheats during these “feats” and blindsides Henry at every occasion? And how can anyone hate a man who pulls trucks like that?!
BIG KO: Meh.
NOTHING
NOTHING
I’m really excited about the World Heavyweight match coming up and although I didn’t like the No Contest, I did enjoy the interaction between the large cast of players surrounding the WHT. Kofi and Cody had an ok match, but it was far too short. There was a lot of backstage stuff, but I suppose it lead to something in the future. I could do with less RAW recaps. The main event was good for what we got, although not great, and it’s nice to see Ambrose continue to get some love. All in all, an average Smackdown that wasn’t bad, but left some stuff to be desired. SHOW RATING: 7.0 |
YEAR IN REVIEW (PPV) by Larry Csonka:
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