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411's WWE Smackdown Report 06.19.09
Posted by Alexander Miezin on 06.19.2009





My name is Alexander Miezin and I normally do the TNA Impact Reports, but this week the regular WWE Smackdown reviewer was unavailable so I will be doing the review for this weeks show.

At ringside for tonight is of course Jim Ross and Todd Grisham.

Tonight's card features two huge main events:

Non-Title: Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy
Non-Title: CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

Josh Matthews is standing in the ring going over the announcement made by Smackdown GM Teddy Long for the The Bash which will feature Jeff Hardy challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk. Crowd is erupting for the Rainbow Warrior. Grisham mentions the Ladder Match from Extreme Rules against Edge. They show footage from the match in which Jeff Hardy won to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Grisham says it was an amazing moment. Footage of CM Punk's cashing in of the Money in the Bank contract is shown. I can watch that footage forever. Even if the crowd's reaction was awful, it was a great moment. They then show footage of the triple threat match from RAW this past Monday. They showcase Punk's injured leg. Jeff says at The Bash he will beat CM Punk at the Bash. Matthews tells Jeff Hardy to welcome CM Punk. Punk's music hits and he comes out. Crowd's reaction is kind of iffy. Just turn him 100% heel already. Please. Matthews tells Punk that he stole a victory from Jeff Hardy on RAW and at Extreme Rules. Punk says that he cashed in on an opportunity and takes offense to being accused of "stealing" the World Heavyweight Championship from Jeff Hardy and winning on RAW as well. Punk mentions that he doesn't need to be anyone's friend in the ring. Jeff tells Punk that they live completely different lives. What an understatement. Matthews wants to hear the crowds reaction. The crowd cheers loud for Jeff Hardy. Half of the crowd boos for CM Punk. We go to commercial, but up next is Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho!

Match One: Non-Title: Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy

This one should be a doozy. Jim Ross calls it a Main Event. Hard to argue there. Grisham mentions Jericho's victory over Rey Mysterio from RAW on Monday. Jericho gets Jeff in a headlock then shoulder blocks him to the canvas. Jeff Hardy catches Jericho with a dropkick to the face and whips him into the corner following with a clothesline. Jeff misses a dropkick as Chris Jericho rolls away. Jericho connects with a suplex and yells at the crowd. He covers Hardy and gets a two count. Hardy punches back, but runs into an abdominal stretch. Jeff is wincing in pain. Jericho is yelling for Hardy to give up. Hardy hip tosses Jericho over. Clothesline by Jeff. Legdrop to the groin followed by a two count. Jericho counters misses a clothesline and Jeff Hardy hits the Whisper in the Wind for a nearfall! Hardy misses a dropkick again and is almost caught in the Walls of Jericho. Jeff goes for the Twist of Fate, but Jericho counters with a back suplex. Lionsault misses from Jericho. Jeff hits a facebuster and goes to the top rope. Jericho rolls to the floor avoiding Jeff, but Jeff jumps off the top to the floor, but Jericho sidesteps Jeff Hardy and Hardy crashes into the security wall. Jericho throws him into the wall multiple times. Mysterio comes out of the crowd and hurricanrana's Jericho on the outside of the ring! He sits back down next to a bunch of other midgets in the front row. They all look like each other. Jericho ends up counted out on the floor and Jeff Hardy is the winner. Boo.

Winner: Jeff Hardy via countout.
Match Thoughts: **. Pretty short match, but it was good. Lots of counters. I'm not a fan of the finish though.

Jeff hits Jericho with a Twist of Fate after the match and a Swanton Bomb. Hardy celebrates. They show Mysterio's interference from the front row in the crowd. Would've been funnier if the person sitting behind Rey pulled his mask off.

Layla, Eve Torres, and Maria are backstage fighting over hairspray. Dolph Ziggler approaches them. They call him dumb rhyming names. Maria calls him Don Zimmer. They call him Marky Mark and he leaves. Rightfully so.

Match Two: Dolph Ziggler vs. The Great Khali w/Runjin Singh

This should be another epic battle. I don't really like Khali as a babyface. They're just making him look stupid. Singh dances on the way to the ring. Bell sounds and we are underway. Ziggler punches Khali in the face and tries to leave the ring. Khali headbutts Khali and chops him HARD in the chest. Khali hits a big boot on Ziggler. Another vicious chop to the chest of Ziggler from Khali. Khali grabs the throat of Ziggler, but Ziggler fights out and starts chopblocking the legs of Khali. He hits a Fameasser type of move, but it looked horrible. Khali kicks out of a pin attempt. Ziggler pulls Singh to the apron and goes and gets a chair. He throws the chair at Khali, but Khali punches it and Ziggler falls to the ground. The referee turns around and Khali has the chair in his hand. RIP Eddie Guerrero. The referee disqualifies The Great Khali and Dolph Ziggler picks up the victory.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler by disqualification.
Match Thoughts: 1/4*. Dumb match. Not a very creative finish. Only Eddie was fit for this type of ending.

A replay of the ending to the match is shown with Charles Robinson disqualifying Khali. Ziggler sells the "chair shot".

Still to come tonight. . .CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio.

WWE Champion Randy Orton is on the cover of the new WWE Magazine.

Recap of RAW is shown with Donald Trump's purchasing of RAW. Bad idea if you ask me. Real bad idea. Remember RAW is COMMERCIAL FREE on Monday.

WWE Women's Champion Melina comes out prepared for a singles match. New match signed for The Bash as it will be Melinavs. Michelle McCool w/Alicia Fox for the WWE Women's Championship.

Match Three: Non-Title: Melina vs. Alicia Fox w/Michelle McCool

Fox starts off dominating this match surprisingly and gets Melina in a body scissors. Where is DJ Gabriel? Random resthold thirty seconds into the match. Melina finds herself in almost a camel clutch variation. She escapes and slaps Fox in the face. She hits a reverse powerbomb type maneuver for the victory.

McCool attacks Melina after the match and absolutely destroys Melina's face with a kick. Wow. McCool says she will humiliate Melina at the Bash and Melina's cameramen will get the footage. McCool says she will be the first diva to be the Divas Champion and the Women's Champion. Undertaker must be so proud of her.

Up next: John Morrison vs. Edge! This should be amazing!

We come back from commercial with Edge already in the ring with a microphone. I cannot wait for this match. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. Edge says he was robbed of his contractually mandated rematch with the World Heavyweight Champion and the triple threat match doesn't count. He says instead of getting his rematch he is facing off tonight with John Morrison. Edge tells the fans that Morrison shouldn't even be able to breathe the same air as him. Morrison's music hits and he interrupts. Morrison comes out with a smile from ear to ear. Ross says this is Morrison's biggest match of his career. Morrison has a microphone as well. Edge tells Morrison that is just trying to be him and asks if he's Sigfried or Roy. Greatness. Morrison says he can't remember the last time Edge said anything entertaining and he used to be innovative and entertaining. Morrison tells Edge that he's predictable and is the same every week. He's got a point I suppose. A bunch of Canadian insults are thrown out at Edge. Morrison tells Edge that he dresses goofy and has a bobblehead. Morrison calls himself the "Friday Night Delight". Oh we've switched days now. We head to commercial.

Match Four: Edge vs. John Morrison

We're back and the match begins with both men circling each other. Edge backs Morrison into the corner, but Morrison shoves Edge down. Morrison begins working over the arm of Edge, but Edge gets to the ropes forcing a break on the hammerlock. Edge looks at Morrison in disgust. They lock up again with this time Edge working on Morrison's arm. Morrison fireman carries Edge over. Ross compares Morrison to Shawn Michaels. Morrison targets the arm of Edge. Edge backs Morrison into the corner again and punches Morrison in the head twice. Irish whip and Edge charges in, but misses and a Ricky Steamboat-esque armdrag by Morrison follows. That looked smooth. Edge catches Morrison with a knee in the gut after Morrison ran off the ropes. A kick to the ribs by Edge follows. Edge taunts the crowd. More boots to the chest of Morrison. Edge is starting to slow the pace down a little bit. More knees to the back and ribs from Edge. Edge spikes Morrison's throat on the top ropes, but Morrison rolls back in the ring. Edge punches and hammer fists the ribs of Morrison some more. Good psychology here. Irish whip by Edge throwing Morrison back first into the turnbuckles. Morrison collapses in pain. Edge punches Morrison again and chokes him over the middle rope. While Morrison is leaning into the middle rope, Edge runs off the ropes and cross body's Morrison for a two count. Edge charges in on an Irish whip in the corner, but is met with a boot and a dropkick for a two count! Morrison goes to the top rope, but Edge slams Morrison's sternum on the top rope as we head to commercial break. Morrison's ribs look hurt.

Edge has a reverse bearhug on Morrison when we come back. They show replays of what happened before the break. Edge taunts the crowd again and goes back to the reverse bearhug attacking the ribs of John Morrison. Morrison begins rocking back and forth trying to escape the hold. Morrison gets back to his feet and throws elbows that connect. Right hand by Morrison and another. Dropkick by Morrison into Edge's face and Morrison drops to the mat as well selling the ribs hurting. Referee applies the count on both. Edge charges in, but gets a backbreaker. Irish whip, Edge leaps, but misses. Knee by Morrison to the face for a two count! That looked stiff. Edge gets to his feet and climbs to the top. Morrison is back to his feet and Pele' kicks Edge to the floor. AJ Styles is angry. Morrison slides to the floor and head scissors Edge to the ground. He rolls him back in for a two count. Great match thus far. Morrison tries a springing bodyblock, but misses. Edge applies the SHARPSHOOTER!!! Somewhere Bret Hart is smiling. Morrison fights and gets to the ropes! Morrison cradles Edge for a nearfall. Edge misses a boot and Morrison connects with a side Russian legsweep. Morrison attemps Starship Pain, but Edge hits Morrison in the back. A couple of shots by Edge to the back follow. Edge clobbers away at Morrison's head. Morrison in a tree-of-woe position and Edge charges in and misses. Morrison rolls him up for two with Edge powering Morrison into the ringpost shoulder first. Edge is setting up the Spear. Morrison leapfrogs him and hits a flying boot to the face for a VERY close nearfall. Morrison picks Edge up and tries Moonlight Drive, but Edge counters with an Impaler DDT for a two count! Edge sends Morrison off the ropes, but Morrison counters into a DDT of his own for two! Morrison goes for Starship Pain again and misses. Edge spears Morrison and pins him!

Winner: Edge by pinfall.
Match Thoughts: ****1/4. Absolutely amazing match. Really proves that Morrison can work the WWE Heavyweight style. This match needs to be watched by any wrestling fan. The selling of the ribs was great by Morrison. Awesome free TV match!

Replays of the match are shown and they deserve it. Tonight we still have Punk vs. Mysterio! We head to a commercial break.

Match Five: Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, and Ricky Ortiz vs. R-Truth, Shad, and JTG

It's good to see Cryme Tyme and the World's Greatest Tag Team in action. Kind of a downgrade for Benjamin though. R-Truth does his normal rapping entrance with JTG and Shad yelling "Whats Up!". R-Truth is really over. Ortiz starts with JTG. Ortiz now wrestles in tights instead of his pants. Knees by Ortiz to JTG to start the match. JTG drops down and hits Ortiz in the throat. He gets a fast two count. Shad tags himself in and hits the back of Ortiz. Knees to the face follow. Ortiz retaliates with a knee to the stomach, but Shad fights back. Shad eventually gets crotched on the top rope attempting a big boot. Ortiz stomps away. Haas hits Shad with the referee's back turned. Ortiz covers and gets a two count. Ortiz is going after the leg now of Shad and slams it. Ortiz tags in Haas who continues the attack on the leg. Haas back him into the corner and kicks away and punches at the left leg of Shad. Shad comes back and tags in R-Truth. Haas tags in Benjamin. Benjamin catches R-Truth and slams him. He tries the Paydirt, but it's blocked. R-Truth punches Benjamin. Splits by R-Truth into a back kick get him a two count. All six men begin brawling all around the ring. Benjamin climbs to the top and misses a leap, no real move attempt. R-Truth hits a Corkscrew Spinning Elbow to pin Benjamin! Wow, who'd he anger?

Winners: R-Truth, JTG, and Shad when R-Truth pinned Shelton Benjamin.
Match Thoughts: *3/4. Good enough action. R-Truth is really over though. I'd love to see him get the push that he deserves.

We head to a commercial break. 12 Rounds DVD is in stores on June 30th for anyone interested. I still haven't seen it.

Back from commercial with Rey's entrance. They air footage of Mysterio's earlier interference in the Hardy and Jericho match. I'm looking forward to Punk vs. Mysterio tonight. If this is anything like their Armageddon 2008 match then we're in for a classic. Rey has the microphone and says last month he was jumped by Jericho while Jericho was wearing his mask. Tonight Rey tells Jericho he got payback and it felt great. Rey informs Jericho that it's not over yet and he wants the Intercontinental Championship. He issues a challenge for match at the Bash for the Intercontinental Championship. Jericho's music plays and he comes out to the top of the ramp. Jericho tells Rey that Rey just doesn't get it. He says that since Rey lost, he's not gonna give him the chance. Rey says he knows he lost. Jericho tells Rey that the people in the arena know nothing and he knows what's best for the crowd and Rey Mysterio. Jericho wants to set Mysterio free from the lies that Rey created. He calls Rey oblivious and he is Rey's savior. Jericho says that Mysterio is an addict and the masks are his drug. Wow that sounded absolutely dubbed in. Great job WWE editing crew. It barely even sounded like Jericho. Rey tells Jericho to shut up. Mysterio's tells Jericho to talk trash about him all night, but he will not insult the people in the crowd. Rey says he wears the mask for his heritage and his family. Or Vince McMahon. Mysterio says he's ashamed that Jericho is Intercontinental Champion. Jericho tells Mysterio that he will take off the mask and take it off forever. Jericho says to Mysterio that if he wants a shot at the Intercontinental Championship, then Rey Mysterio will put up his mask. It will be a Mask vs. Title match at the Bash. People act like they haven't seen Rey without his mask before. Rey Mysterio accepts the challenge. Mysterio's music hits as we head to commercial break.

Match Six: Non-Title: CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

Chris Jericho is at ringside with Jim Ross and Todd Grisham for this match. Punk gets a mixed reaction. They show a graphic for the Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk World Heavyweight Championship Match at The Bash. Jericho says he wants the World Heavyweight Championship, but first Rey's mask. Punk and Rey lock up to start the match. Punk slaps Rey into a headlock. Rey eats a shoulder to the chest. Rey then dropkicks Punk in the knee. A one person, "Let's Go Punk!" chant can be heard. Smart man. Rey kicks the thigh and hamstring area of Punk. Punk throws Rey into the top turnbuckle. Punk kicks Rey in the back and covers. He gets two. Punk sets up a powerbomb, but Rey falls out and gets Punk trapped on the ropes in 619 position. Rey charges, but Punk rolls to the floor as we head to a commercial break.

We're back and Rey charges in, but Punk dodges and Rey hits the post. Punk rolls him up and gets a two count. Punk has Rey in a seated hammerlock delivering elbows to Mysterio's head. Rey battles his way back up with elbows and kicks. Rey runs into Punk and Punk elevates Rey into the air and onto the mat. Punk covers and gets two. Back to the armlock by Punk. Punk sunset flips Rey, but Rey stands up and dropkicks Rey in the face. Jericho uses big words commentating. I might need a dictionary soon. The crowd chants for the 619. Kicks are exchanged. Mysterio's battles with kicks. He hits a springboard crossbody and gets a two count! Punk eats a boot and a tilt-a-whirl. Boot to Punk's head, but Punk gets up and setup into 619 position again. Rey flips over the top rope. He springs off the top rope and hits a seated move on Punk for a two count.
Punk dropkicks Rey in the face and covers for two. Very nearfall. Both men get back to their feet. Running knee to Mysterio's head connects. Rey throws Punk off into 619 position again, but Punk eludes it. Rey rolls and falls on top of Punk for a two count. The crowd is chanting for Rey. Springboard from Rey, but Punk catches him and goes for the Go to Sleep. Punk tosses Rey to the floor. Jericho throws Jericho into the ringpost head first! Jericho runs back to the table. Punk tells the referee to count Rey out! Pure greatness! Mysterio beats the ten count. Punk lifts him up and hits the Go to Sleep for the win! YES! The crowd boos.

Winner: CM Punk by pinfall.
Match Thoughts: ***. Solid bout. Not as good as their match at Armageddon, but it was a good match. Jericho's interference helped cancel out Rey's earlier and Punk looks more and more like a heel.

Chris Jericho slams his headset down happy with his doings. Jeff Hardy runs out and informs the referee what happened. Hardy yells at Punk. Punk is holding the World Heavyweight Championship in his hands. Punk rolls to the floor and poses with the title belt. Hardy's music hits as Smackdown comes to a close.

Final Thoughts: Another absolutely great show by Smackdown. Still the dominant brand in the WWE and rightfully so. Edge vs. Morrison is something to go out of your way to watch. It was really a break throught match for John Morrison. The two big feuds on Smackdown (CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho) both progressed very well tonight. All in all a stellar show that shouldn't be missed.


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Comments (64)

 
I really thought Jericho/Hardy or Punk/Rey would be the best match of the night, but Edge and Morrison completely stole the show. That was an amazing match and I really hope they have those two go at it again. That theory that Morrison can't work a mic looks a bit silly after he ran down Edge in their pre-match promo too.

Rest of the show was up to par with how good Smackdown has been since the draft. I still don't like how Shelton continues to be buried or that Ricky Ortiz still has a job, but I dig everything else going on. Great show.


Posted By: Guest#3062 (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:25 PM

 
 
Another good show, but if Edge doesn't make it onto the PPV (specfically, in a re-match with Morrison) so that they they can have the worthless McCool bathroom break match, it would be a travesty.

Posted By: Guest#7694 (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:27 PM

 
 
The E's really droping the ball with Benjamin.I mean he hasnt had any bad matches or serious botches for awhile and their jobbing the hell out of him.Benjamin has potential to be in World Heavyweight title picture but the misutilization(dont know if thats a word) leads me to believe maybe a jump to TNA would get him a world title shot as well as reign.Hell it worked for Christian.

Posted By: The Gold Standard (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:31 PM

 
 
Awesome match between Edge and John Morrison, hopefully we'll get a rematch between them at The Bash. Plus, sweet new theme music for Dolph Ziggler.

Posted By: Nick M. (Registered)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM

 
 
I'll say this about McCool..no matter what she does, she can never live down being the Undertakers chick and will never get credit for anything..oh well.

Edge can put on a great match with anyone. Him and Morrison will be such an awesome feud. I'd love to see Benjamin in the middle of it as well. Jericho was great on commentary as usual.

I wish Punk would cut a promo on being better than Hardy b/c he's straight edge. It makes so much more sense.

This show is the best show and RAW and SD need to switch channels. Seriously.


Posted By: CL (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:37 PM

 
 
I agree, that was Morrison's breakout match. He really took Edge to the limit and even though he took the clean pin, he didn't look any worse for it.

Very impressive outing by Morrison tonight. I hope everyone backstage took notice.


Posted By: SU_RKO (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:41 PM

 
 
"I'll say this about McCool..no matter what she does, she can never live down being the Undertakers chick and will never get credit for anything..oh well."

Actually, I think people don't like her because she is boring, monotone, devoid of charisma, and has repeatedly been pushed and repackaged each time she's failed to get over.


Posted By: Guest#3800 (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:48 PM

 
 
Hardy and Punk segment was good and it looks like he will turn heel
Hardy d. Jericho via count out was **1/4
Ziggler d. Khali via DQ * but it was good for the eddie g esque dq.

Melina d. A. Fox ¾*
Edge d. Morrison **** and good promo from Morrison and edge just fantastic as always
Cryme Tyme and Truth d. Benjamin, Haas and Ortiz **1/2, Benjamin needs a manager.
Mysterio/Jericho segment was good and Jericho was awesome and Mysterio IMO has improved has a talker. So title vs. Mask should be a ***1/2 match at least.

Jericho dissing Grisham was awesome and its nice to see someone giving JR props
CM Punk d. Mysterio was **3/4 and I am tempted to give it *** but I wont

The matches were average to really good, but this Smackdown was more about angle advancement like Melina vs. McCool, Jericho and Mysterio bring prestige to the IC Title, Punks heel turn (notice how he distracted the ref), and giving Morrison and Edge a nice feud which should elevate Morrison a few steps higher.

Overall the show gets 7.5/10
Trash of the Night- Melina d. Fox
Match of the Night- Edge d. Morrison


Posted By: Ian (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 10:49 PM

 
 
Awesome show again.

Quick thought for all the people who are saying that Shelton is being buried.
As much as he is a great wrestler, he is terrible on the mic and less over than SIX people above him on the card at least and there is still Undertaker to come back.
And he ain't less over b/c he is being buried.
It's because he can't get the casual fans to emote to him as much as those above him.
That is how strong the current smackdown roster is.


Posted By: makeo (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 11:01 PM

 
 
Anyone here who is claiming than Morrison was the star of the show is totally lost in the shuffle.

What's the common factor between Kofi Kingston on Superstars Of Wrestling and Morrison last night on SD ! ?

Answer : One R Rated Superstar

EDGE = SD and the overall WWE MVP right now.

And I'm not even mentionning his awesome LMS with Cena at Backlash, his finale with Mysterio at NWO and Match with same Rey Rey on SD a few weeks ago and his scorcher with Jeff at JD .


Posted By: EDGE >>>> WWE (Guest)  on June 19, 2009 at 11:31 PM

 
 
No mention of Dick Ziggler or Boogie Nights reference

Posted By: Guest#4673 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 12:07 AM

 
 
Next week we should get Punk/Jericho vs Hardy/Mysterio, it would not only help Punk's heel turn but it would just be AWESOME!

Edge vs Morrison should be at The Bash or else it would be a crime.

Great show only bad thing is that Benjamin has to job everyone.


Posted By: Guest#6772 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 12:47 AM

 
 
Did anyone else notice Jericho's obvious voiceover during his interview when he talked about being an enabler?

Posted By: Big Ell (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 12:59 AM

 
 
_-_

Another solid SD .


Edge v Morrison -
So...good, long 15 minute match? Check. Putting Morrison over big time? Check. Edge finally pins him with a spear? Check. Seriously, that was so great, it was everything I hoped it would be. John Morrison looked like a million bucks tonight.


The opening Punk/Jeff segment ruled hard. Accomplishes absolutely everything it had to accomplish. Jeff gets the big pop and does his Jeff thing, Punk comes out to boos and is made to justify everything he's done again, slowly becoming more and more indignant. They plant the seed of Jeff's 'lifestyle' vs Punk's 'lifestyle' for a heel turn. And having the pops to finish was corny, but so great because it just fuels Punk's indignant fire. So many buys.



Dolph's new music goes "I am perfection." So much approval there. AWESOME FINISH. Cannot understate how great Dolph is.



Ziggler FTW: "Ladies, stop fighting over me!"


The promo before the main event was good. Mysterio, isn't as bad on the mic as some people make out. He sounded good here, continuously use. Mask vs. Title is a nice stipulation. I liked the Punk/Mysterio match as well.


Michelle has a future as an agent/trainer , I remember JR saying that Eve, Layla, Maria, and Alicia were going to work with her to improve because Michelle wants SD to be the best womens division possible .


Michelle Mc Cool has been the most consistent female worker on the roster in terms of the quality of her performances or matches. You shouldn't be criticized for that.


_-_


Posted By: HBK (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 01:02 AM

 
 
Anyone here who is claiming than Morrison was the star of the show is totally lost in the shuffle.

Posted By: EDGE >>>> WWE (Guest) on June 19, 2009 at 11:31 PM

Clearly you have no idea what "lost in the shuffle" means.


Posted By: PurplePeopleEater (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 01:11 AM

 
 
Edge and Morrison waged one of the greatest scientific wrestling matches in the history of Smackdown. Too bad it won't be featured on the upcoming Smackdown DVD.

Posted By: Dwayne (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 01:43 AM

 
 
When most people use the mic skills excuse for Shelton not getting over, they are basing their theory off seeing his promos from 1-2 years ago. Shelton has actually shown improvement since then, but the audience rarely gets to hear him say anything nowadays. One exception was the backstage thing with Morrison, which was actually good.

Other superstars are popular with casual fans since they were given the chance to polish and improve their character, and got to look good against other credible opponents.

When the casual fan watches Shelton, they see a fantastic athlete they "could" like, that they "could" enjoy, except for the fact that he loses clean to EVERYONE. If you have an aggressive, creative, athletic wrestling style that is fun to watch but can't ever win with it, people will eventually stop caring, plain and simple. Once apon a time, casual fans used to love Shelton, but realized the WWE would never pull that main event trigger on him. Hell, back in the WWE Championship Scramble match, Shelton didn't even get to become an interm WWE champion, not even for 1 second throughout the whole match.

If WWE wants to get Shelton over as a HEEL with the fans, then have him ACT like one. Instead of having him just go around stating something so vague and arbitrary as being the "Gold Standard", have him go into detail. Let him brag about his college wrestling background, his college education, his previous accolades and freakish athleticism at nausium, make him piss the audience and other superstars off with his constant bragging. Have him perform "heelish tactics" when he wrestles sometimes in order to gets wins against opponents who are suppose to beat him i.e. Taker, Hardy (grab the tights, use the ropes, use a chair, etc.) Instead of constantly eating pins, have him lose by DQ sometimes by getting caught cheating. Have Haas and Benajamin deliver beatdowns on opponents they lose to, like they actually give a damn about losing.

Its all about booking.


Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 01:58 AM

 
 
That in-depth booking rationale about Shelton is truly gold, no pun intended.

Posted By: Nick M. (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 02:30 AM

 
 
Is it just me or am I the only one who is worried that we won't get to see HBK vs. CM Punk before shawn retires.I think the match would rock.

Posted By: Guest#2252 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 02:38 AM

 
 
Morrison FINALLY got to talk on the mike and delivered.. epic match with Edge I pray they stick a rematch on at the Bash.

Some people are all 'turn Punk heel now'... I'm like wait for the total switch at the Bash it will be worth the wait.

Punk tweener has made him the most interesting he's been since his debut because 'legally' he doing nothing wrong but at the same time taking the heel short cuts.

Smackdown rules so much and everyone seems to be hitting their A-game including the Diva's and annoying people like Cryme Tyme and R-Truth (though Shelton being buried isn't good)


Posted By: Andrew Barbarash (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 03:23 AM

 
 
Shelton's one of the only guys on WWE's roster that could benefit jumping to TNA. It goes without saying that he'd immediately end up one of their top stars. And the inevitable feud with AJ Styles would it all worth it.

Posted By: Guest#2836 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 03:43 AM

 
 
Its all about booking.

Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 01:58 AM

No doubt. For Shelton, and for everyone.

The entire "tone" on Smackdown is pretty great right now. The established stars are getting more over, and the midcard has a chance to shine. The whole environment is fertile. That's what good writing/ booking does.

This might not last, but, for all you new school fans, THIS is why we old school fans speak reverently about the Watts UWF. Solid and competent heels fighting solid and virtuous faces. An excited JR ties the two together.

Smackdown is really hitting on all cylinders now. For me, anyway, this is what I've been waiting for.


Posted By: dblah (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 03:59 AM

 
 
Consistent as in fundamentally sound but fairly mediocre and unspectacular, not to mention uncharismatic, HBK. She's basically Greg Gagne in execution, while having the type of ridiculous moveset full of as many cool looking but thoughtlessly random and inconsistent with character moves as possible, like what you'd likely give to the Create-A-Wrestler that you make of yourself.

Posted By: Guest#8026 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:09 AM

 
 
The Morrison vs. Edge match was a classic example of how to elevate a worker in a losing effort. What a great job by both competitors. This is how you build credibility.

I do disagree with the earlier comment about Morrison's mic work. I feel he has a long way to go. He comes off as forced, but really, I could care less about mic work, the guy is a great athlete. That's enough of a selling point for me.

I can't tell you how much I agree with #2090 about Shelton Benjamin. He is my favorite performer in the WWE at the moment, and it is endlessly frustrating to see the direction in which his career is traveling. As great as Smackdown is right now, this is the one problem I have with the show (well, besides the divacrap).

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. What a great time to be a wrestling fan.


Posted By: CanadianCrippler (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:18 AM

 
 
" Instead of having him just go around stating something so vague and arbitrary as being the "Gold Standard", have him go into detail. Let him brag about his college wrestling background, his college education, his previous accolades and freakish athleticism at nausium

Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 01:58 AM"

It's AD NAUSEUM, if you want to make long winded intelligent posts, you want to know the words you are using. And while Sheltie has improved on the mic, it doesn't actually mean he's still any good on it.


Posted By: ButchReedMark (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:44 AM

 
 
Jericho throws Jericho into the ringpost head first!

Posted By: Guest#7991 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:53 AM

 
 
"I'll say this about McCool..no matter what she does, she can never live down being the Undertakers chick and will never get credit for anything..oh well."

Actually, I think people don't like her because she is boring, monotone, devoid of charisma, and has repeatedly been pushed and repackaged each time she's failed to get over.

Posted By: Guest#3800 (Guest) on June 19, 2009 at 10:48 PM

------------------------------

Oh shut up. It must pain you to actually give someone credit now in days..


Posted By: Kato (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:56 AM

 
 
The Edge/Morrison match was pretty good...especially as Edge looked knackered from the start. If this show had been put on without the previous-night bail-out of RAW, it would have been fantastic. Loving Ziggler (and his new theme), but where can he go from here? Mysterio seems the the only face (soon-to-be) available...Oh, and what did Jericho say that got overdubbed?

Posted By: Guest#0549 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 05:55 AM

 
 
I know it's already been said many times but Edge vs Morisson was amazing. HHH take note - this is how you get your opponent over even though you get the win.

In fact, while it was a breakout performance from Morisson, this match made Edge look better than any of his 4 world title wins since Survivor Series. He showed how good he really was and won clean.


Posted By: jobbers (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 06:00 AM

 
 
Man I'm so sick of all the hate Michelle McCool receives. She's worked really hard to become good in the ring, which is more than I can say for a lot of the bimbos who came through the Diva Search!

People praise that overrated Maryse who absolutely sucks in the ring, gets no more reaction than McCool from the crowd, and can only flip her hair back. Wow....she has about 5 moves max to show for, whereas Michelle has improved leaps and bounds.


Posted By: Code Red (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 07:14 AM

 
 
I think that the WWE is much smarter than IWC fans give them credit for. Put all the soap opera storyline driven stuff on the main, most accessible show RAW. Then put the super solid wrestling on a Friday night where IWC workrate freaks will go out of there way to see. Good stuff overall from the 'E'

Posted By: Alex (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 07:58 AM

 
 
Good show again, Morrison-Edge was very good, Jericho was great as always & i like the way Punks carracter is going, he shakes hands with Rey before the match as he usually does but does things like distract the ref & want the ref to count out Rey, this is planting the seeds nicely for after the Bash when i think he will be 100% heel.

Jericho/Punk v Rey/Jeff next week PLEASE.


Posted By: jbardo (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 08:20 AM

 
 
"Punk's music hits and he comes out. Crowd's reaction is kind of iffy. Just turn him 100% heel already. Please."
======

This statement represents the problem with many modern day fans. You want everything instantly. God forbid any wrestler have a character who is somewhat human. Punk is turning in a much more realistic way than most wrestlers turn heel. He isn't suddenly morphing into a BAD GUY and twisting his moustache out of nowhere. He's letting the fans turn him heel by allowing them to be the biased sheep that they are. Not even Jericho's heel turn was done this realistically. Its a GOOD thing, don't complain about it.


Posted By: MDK (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 09:03 AM

 
 
Great show!! (I know I'm stating the obvious)

Edge/Morrison was so refreshing and a great match to boot.

I'm loving Punk right now. I loved how he showed sportsmanship by shaking with Mysterio at the beginning of the match, but when he finds an opportunity, ie, Mysterio able to be counted out, he takes it. Hopefully they can balance this tweener phase for a long time.

WWE, if/when you turn Punk full heel, please please please, do not slow down his music, and make him walk out to the ring like a slow turtle with no personality.


Posted By: Guest#2921 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 09:20 AM

 
 
Morrison carried Edge's ass to his best match in years. I was completely impressed.

I love when the heels are right and the "good guys" are total tools. Like how Jeff won his match the same way CM Punk won his, but the fans shit on CM and Cheered Jeff. I love that stuff.

Good Show.


Posted By: Jamal (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 10:27 AM

 
 
Has anyone else not been able to figure out why Jeff has been acting like a cry baby lately?? i mean I really don't understand how he can come out and plead with the Ref to reconsider how punk won his match with a hand from jericho after he took advantage of an assist from Rey Rey to get the W against jericho earlier the same night??? i mean isn't that a little hypocritical??? i'm also tired of any whining about how Punk took advantage of Jeff at Extreme Rules to get the title, so what?? that's what money in the bank is all about, i agree with punk if it had been against Edge no one would have cared but just because it was Jeff everyone starts crying.

but seriously you didn't see Punk out there begging the ref to restart the Jeff-Jericho match cause Rey interfered, jeff Get over it! you look like a baby!


Posted By: Jeff The Cry Baby?? (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 10:37 AM

 
 
Morrison stays on this patah and we will have a big star on our hands. Good on the mike and a million times better than the Miz. I enjoy his non-6 man tag matches. Miz you are the Jannetty in this situation!

Posted By: T-Mac (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM

 
 
I was a bit surprised Morrison didn't refer Edge to skeletor. (I can't be the only one that calls edge that.) Oh, looks like he might be toning down Starship Pain. Good for him. (That one last week like I've written before looked too damn dangerous.) Oh well, still I wish Edge would get a different finisher. (He's got neck problems so his spear is usually very slow and weak. Admittedly he hit a more solid spear this week but it's still weird to see a lanky technical wrestler do a power move as finisher.)

Oh, and always Mr Unwatchable continues to be so. (No, putting him against Mysterio wasn't enough to trick me into watching that indy mid card garbage wrestler.)


Posted By: Dave (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 12:22 PM

 
 
RAW & Impact can't even carry my bags.

Posted By: WWE Smackdown (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 12:30 PM

 
 
I'd be loving Smackdown if it weren't for the useless, annoying emo bitch Jeff Hardy. He can't work, he looks like an idiot and his personality is a dud. I could also do w/o Mysterio, Khali, R-Truth and Cryme Tyme.

Punk, Jericho, Edge and recently Morrison have been awesome.


Posted By: Dr J (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 01:29 PM

 
 
"Man I'm so sick of all the hate Michelle McCool receives. She's worked really hard to become good in the ring, which is more than I can say for a lot of the bimbos who came through the Diva Search!
People praise that overrated Maryse who absolutely sucks in the ring, gets no more reaction than McCool from the crowd, and can only flip her hair back. Wow....she has about 5 moves max to show for, whereas Michelle has improved leaps and bounds."

Maryse doesn't get praised for her wrestling. What does she have to have to do with this anyway?

The issue was McCool having no charisma, failing to get over as both a face and heel but still being pushes a top heel. Usually, when a wrestler fails to get over despite vignettes, lots of TV time, and lots of clean victories, they either get fired or at least pushed less.

Is there any reason to not give Gail Kim or Natalya a try? They are certainly just as good, if not much better. Put the effort (or even half the effort) behind them that has been put into McCool for the last two years, and see if anything happens.


Posted By: Guest#0605 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 02:16 PM

 
 
Once again Shelton is being buried. I wonder who in creative doesn't like him? It must be bad when he loses to R-Truth considering creative doesn't like him either. Shelton really needs to be a face and given a cooler gimmick because he was way over back during his 2004-05 face run. If that doesn't work he should head to TNA and feud with either AJ Styles, Booker T, or old mentor Kurt Angle.

Posted By: JFLYNT (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 02:26 PM

 
 
ummm..why the f*** SHOULD the wwe push Shelton?
He makes less money for them than at least 7 and arguably 8/9 wrestlers on the smackdown roster.
And when he has been pushed, he has made less of it than others in terms of being over with the audience and making bottom line.
Shelton is my favourite wrestler to watch, makes other talents look great and can be guaranteed to give a "holy shit" moment in every big match he is in.BUT he does not make anywhere near as much money as others.
So why the hell should they elevate him?
Yes, he is better on the mic than he was before. BUT he is still average.
Yes it is in the booking to some extent.
BUT with Edge, Jericho, Undertaker as better talents, Rey with the latino/kid demographic, Hardy being the most over in the company and selling more merch than anyone, Morrison being the next big thing and Punk being world champion, why would they put him up, as it means lowering someone else?
Shelton is great as a wrestler and makes others look great. It is just that he is the guy you book the money-makers with to look good and make more than the draw himself.


Posted By: makeo (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:21 PM

 
 
"Man I'm so sick of all the hate Michelle McCool receives. She's worked really hard to become good in the ring, which is more than I can say for a lot of the bimbos who came through the Diva Search!
People praise that overrated Maryse who absolutely sucks in the ring, gets no more reaction than McCool from the crowd, and can only flip her hair back. Wow....she has about 5 moves max to show for, whereas Michelle has improved leaps and bounds."

McCool has NO mic skills and charisma, not to mention her limited ability and resiliance to sell her opponent's moves.
(altough I don't mind her as Women's Champion, but not the first diva to hold both belts)

The most improved diva from the WWE Diva Search, IMHO, is Layla, followed by the recently released Candice Michelle.

Maryse at least has an interesting character and have good in-ring psychology.

McCool improved? Yes, but her fans who treat her like the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ or someone similar, when in reality there are some divas (Mickie, Natalya, Beth, Maryse, among others...) who have REAL BAD BLOOD with her.

If she really becomes the first diva to win both the Women's Championship and the Divas Championship (she alredy is the first Divas Championship, undeservly - Natalya should be, or Victoria, or even Torrie Wilson) it will be a sad day not only for the WWE Divas, but for the Entire Pro-Wrestling World as we know it.

If that happens, I can see the Sacramento crowd chanting "TNA! TNA! TNA!".

So, if Vince, Steph and Johnny Ace don't want to promote their biggest competition on one of their PPVs (despite the fact of not being one of the Big 4), they should make Mickie James (The Glamazon don't have a storyline right now) vs Maryse for the Divas Championship this Monday on the Commercial-Free RAW, with Mickie walking out of Green Bay YOUR NEW Divas Champion and THE FIRST EVER DIVA DOUBLE TITLEHOLDER!

Or you can make Melina retain the title and took it out from her only after McCool have no chance of making history, for the sake of the business.

---------------------------------------
"Maryse doesn't get praised for her wrestling. What does she have to have to do with this anyway?

The issue was McCool having no charisma, failing to get over as both a face and heel but still being pushes a top heel. Usually, when a wrestler fails to get over despite vignettes, lots of TV time, and lots of clean victories, they either get fired or at least pushed less.

Is there any reason to not give Gail Kim or Natalya a try? They are certainly just as good, if not much better. Put the effort (or even half the effort) behind them that has been put into McCool for the last two years, and see if anything happens."

Everything above, but I would include Katie Lea and Jillian alongside Gail Kim and Natalya.


Posted By: Guest#1548 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 04:26 PM

 
 
"Maryse doesn't get praised for her wrestling. What does she have to have to do with this anyway?"

It's a double standard, Maryse flat out sucks and doesn't even appear to be able to speak anything but French and broken English...yet most of the IWC is blowing their loads all over her (figuratively and literally) AND she's held a belt for what? Six months now? At least Michelle Mccool is a decent wrestler, despite not being that charismatic.

Also, name one current WWE diva that is legitimately over besides maybe Mickie James. Melina only gets pops for her entrance, and everybody else just gets the "hot chick" pop. They haven't had a truly over diva since the Trish/Lita days.

And this needs to be restated a thousand times.

"Punk's music hits and he comes out. Crowd's reaction is kind of iffy. Just turn him 100% heel already. Please."
======

This statement represents the problem with many modern day fans. You want everything instantly. God forbid any wrestler have a character who is somewhat human. Punk is turning in a much more realistic way than most wrestlers turn heel. He isn't suddenly morphing into a BAD GUY and twisting his moustache out of nowhere. He's letting the fans turn him heel by allowing them to be the biased sheep that they are. Not even Jericho's heel turn was done this realistically. Its a GOOD thing, don't complain about it.

Posted By: MDK


Posted By: Bill (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 05:30 PM

 
 
This was the first time in years I actually went out of my way to watch Smackdown, and I really enjoyed it. There were a couple of rough spots (I hope to god they didn't replay the finish of Khali vs Ziggler on the Titantron where the ref could easily have seen it), but Edge/Morrison was fantastic (I honestly thought they'd put John over for a minute) and I'm just digging the hell out of the Hardy/Punk feud.

Posted By: AJP (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 05:33 PM

 
 
I like McCool as a worker, but I at the same time, I'd wouldn't complain if she never touched a mic again.

Posted By: AJP (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 05:36 PM

 
 
Crowd reaction wasn't iffy. CM Punk got booed out of the arena twice in that opening segment. LOL@411 trying to cover for someone like JR and Lawler does for Cena. The fans chose Hardy over Punk and you can see the heel turn coming just by the way Jeff is acting.

LOL@calling that Edge/Morrison farce a 4 star+ match. WOW.

Of course the worst part of the show was the treatment of Shelton Benjamin. He has some of the best matches of the year with Undertaker and then they job him out to push this John Morrison experiment and now he's taking falls against R Truth when everyone knows that Truth is going nowhere because he can't work consistently despite being 10x more over than Morrison.


Posted By: Erik (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 05:43 PM

 
 
where my momma at????????

Posted By: Shelton B. (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 06:36 PM

 
 
Damn good show! Ladies and gentlemen, John Morrison has ARRIVED! From the pre match shit talkin', to one of the best matches I've seen in a long time, that boy brung it, and I only hope theose that matter were paying the fuck attention, and not concerning themselves with this Trump horseshit. I was also impressed by Jericho's new developments. He seems like one of those "I am the key to salvation and the Lord-AH! Follow me into paradise" kinda guys. Almost like a cult leader. And, really, who doesn't like to hate cult leaders. The freaks. I liked the bit where JR told him "I hope you're proud of yourself", like JR does in that scolding manner, and Jericho simply said "Yes, I am." Be cause that crazy bastard is CONVINCED he's right. As for Punk's heel turn, I'm not wild about it. Let me clarify. I LOVE what they're doing with the character, I just don't think he should be a heel. He's real life walking "Do your training, say your prayers and eat your vitamins" guy. Not a gimick thought up in a booking meeting, Punk actually LIVES that way, so he doesn't need to say it. "Don't drink, and don't smoke or do drugs, kids" who are the main focus of the E, right now. Not the best time to make a guy like that the bad guy. He can make them more money as a face. Kids cheer for the good guys, and buy their crap at the sales stands out front. WE are the ones who go ga-ga for heels, cause we're all so cool (in our own minds). If you stop and think about it, Punk is being booked very similar to Stone Cold, and it works. Stone Cold always used to say "If you ain't here to be the champ, you got no business being here" Punk said the same thing just last week. Stone Cold never gave a damn what ANYbody thought of him, he did it his way, and if you liked it fine, if not, tough shit. Punk seems to be going the same way. Stone Cold was a face for doing it his way. Why isn't Punk? Because, like he's said, he did it to Jeff, rather than Edge. If he was doing everything the same, but to Edge, nobody would say a word. Except those who cry about every damn thing. Now, I'm not saying Punk should stomp to the ring, hit all corners, and slam Pepsis together, because he shouldn't. He should NOT be booked as the NEXT Stone Cold, but rather, the FIRST Punk. Nothing says they can't be similar. They just can't be exact copies. Stone Cold is who he is, and if you don't like it, too bad. Punk is who he is, and if you don't like it, too bad. Same principle. So why is Stone Cold a face in 1999, and Punk a heel in 2009?

Posted By: the Mad Redneck (Registered)  on June 20, 2009 at 06:37 PM

 
 
I don't really mind Michelle McCool's in-ring work, I just don't think she deserves to be the first Diva to win both the Divas Title and Women's Title. Her voice also annoys me. She has absolutely zero charisma. When she "taunts" the crowd, it comes off really stupid and kind of uncomfortable, and desperate for cheap heel heat. I'm just glad both brands have Diva feuds going that don't center around playboy covers or bra and panty matches.

Posted By: Sandro (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 07:03 PM

 
 
I'd be loving Smackdown if it weren't for the useless, annoying emo bitch Jeff Hardy. He can't work, he looks like an idiot and his personality is a dud. I could also do w/o Mysterio, Khali, R-Truth and Cryme Tyme.

Punk, Jericho, Edge and recently Morrison have been awesome.

Posted By: Dr J (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 01:29 PM

White supremacist much?


Posted By: Mr. Goo (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 07:05 PM

 
 
maryse and twins are my favourites in wwe!!

Posted By: me (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 07:35 PM

 
 
"It's a double standard, Maryse flat out sucks and doesn't even appear to be able to speak anything but French and broken English...yet most of the IWC is blowing their loads all over her (figuratively and literally) AND she's held a belt for what? Six months now? At least Michelle Mccool is a decent wrestler, despite not being that charismatic."

It's different because Maryse is booked as arrogant but cowardly, and she loses just as much as she wins. People usually don't mind that, at least not as much as they mind a wrestler who rarely loses.

Plus, McCool is an okay wrestler with no charisma when there are other divas around who are even better wrestlers, with some of them being more charismatic than McCool to boot.


Posted By: Guest#8656 (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 07:47 PM

 
 
When most people use the mic skills excuse for Shelton not getting over, they are basing their theory off seeing his promos from 1-2 years ago. Shelton has actually shown improvement since then, but the audience rarely gets to hear him say anything nowadays. One exception was the backstage thing with Morrison, which was actually good.

Other superstars are popular with casual fans since they were given the chance to polish and improve their character, and got to look good against other credible opponents.

When the casual fan watches Shelton, they see a fantastic athlete they "could" like, that they "could" enjoy, except for the fact that he loses clean to EVERYONE. If you have an aggressive, creative, athletic wrestling style that is fun to watch but can't ever win with it, people will eventually stop caring, plain and simple. Once apon a time, casual fans used to love Shelton, but realized the WWE would never pull that main event trigger on him. Hell, back in the WWE Championship Scramble match, Shelton didn't even get to become an interm WWE champion, not even for 1 second throughout the whole match.

If WWE wants to get Shelton over as a HEEL with the fans, then have him ACT like one. Instead of having him just go around stating something so vague and arbitrary as being the "Gold Standard", have him go into detail. Let him brag about his college wrestling background, his college education, his previous accolades and freakish athleticism at nausium, make him piss the audience and other superstars off with his constant bragging. Have him perform "heelish tactics" when he wrestles sometimes in order to gets wins against opponents who are suppose to beat him i.e. Taker, Hardy (grab the tights, use the ropes, use a chair, etc.) Instead of constantly eating pins, have him lose by DQ sometimes by getting caught cheating. Have Haas and Benajamin deliver beatdowns on opponents they lose to, like they actually give a damn about losing.

Its all about booking.

Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 01:58 AM

THANK YOU....


Posted By: Industry (Guest)  on June 20, 2009 at 11:31 PM

 
 
"Plus, McCool is an okay wrestler with no charisma when there are other divas around who are even better wrestlers, with some of them being more charismatic than McCool to boot. "

Unfortunately there aren't any currently on Smackdown besides Melina and Gail Kim and seeing how they're both faces, it wouldn't work very well anyway.


Posted By: Guest#7921 (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 12:46 AM

 
 
It's AD NAUSEUM, if you want to make long winded intelligent posts, you want to know the words you are using. And while Sheltie has improved on the mic, it doesn't actually mean he's still any good on it.

Posted By: ButchReedMark (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 04:44 AM

My deepest apologies. I had no idea a simple misspelling in my previous post would bother you so much that you just had to respond to it. Man...I thought I could slip that one by everyone and just have people focus on my points, but not you...oh not you, your too good. You saw my post and said, "No, your not going to get away with this Guest#2090. The internet wrestling world must know the truth about your misspelled word, and I, ButchReedMark, shall be the one to do it!" But then again, since you also called my post "intelligent" and only nitpicked at my grammar, I must be doing something right, so thanks.

As to your second point, even if Shelton's mic skills still are bad as you say, that is still not justification for the absolute royal burial he is receiving, especially when such a fault can be easily solved with a manager or a diva on his arm.

Its not as if poor mic skills have stopped the WWE from pushing someone before. Lets take a look at Shelton Benjamin compared to fan-fav Jeff Hardy. Despite what might be said on Jeff's behalf, both superstars aren't great on the mic. Both use high flying, athletic styles along with crazy spots to get over with the crowds. Yet, why is Jeff Hardy in the main event while Shelton is a jobber. Jeff Hardy sells a ton of merchandise for the WWE to kids, but that has to do with his unique look, not his personality. Hardy barely spoke when he came back to the WWE, yet got over because of how he was booked. Along with having a unique gimmick, the WWE booked him like a threat against popular opponents from HHH to Edge by beating them, out classing them, legitimizing him and giving the audience hope that he could reach the top of the mountain and be WWE champion. Shelton on the other hand isn't given that opportunity or attention. Last time Shelton wrestled HHH, he lost clean even with outside distractions to his advantage. He is 0-4 against Taker, even when he was hurt after Wrestlemania. The man even lost to Santino F***ing Marella.

Look at Vladimir Kozlov, absolutely awful on the mic with a gimmick and wrestling style so bland that Kung Fu Naki would seem like Ric Flair by comparison; yet the WWE pushed him anyway. Imagine, had he shown Vince that he could work a watchable match against HHH (or anyone else for that matter), he would probably be your WWE champion right now instead of slowly fading in ECW.

Jeff Hardy and Kozlov are proof that good, great, or even descent mic skills aren't needed to be pushed.


Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 01:15 AM

 
 
ummm..why the f*** SHOULD the wwe push Shelton?

Posted By: makeo (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 04:21 PM

Sorry I couldn't copy your entire comment but I think this sums up what your saying.

The main reason Shelton Benjamin deserves a push is that he is one of the very few who can put on good matches with anyone and great matches with stars. Shelton's pedigree of being a former college wrestler and Kurt Angle's student along with his skills in the ring make opponents who beat or even hang with him look threatening, impressive, and probably more skilled than they really are. He has already helped Kofi and Truth get over, even in the position he is in with losing constantly. He had hold his own against the legends like Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. If Shelton was elevated to the main event, he would get the legitimacy as a true threat that he is missing now. Now look at his past feud with John Morrison. Fresh from his MITB loss and loss to Undertaker, he began losing every match against Morrison, singles and tag alike. Shelton gained no ground at all over Morrison except for a pretaped "Gotcha" on Superstars. On booking, on commentary, and in the ring, it was made crystal clear to the audience that Morrison was completely superior to Shelton, athletically and wrestling wise. That the former United States, Intercontinental, and Tag Team champion stood no chance against Morrison. Even tagging with his former WGTT partner made no difference, Morrison was never challenged at all. Now, did Morrison come out looking better from this fued, or Shelton worse?

That lack of legitimacy is why the fans don't care about him, which is why he makes no money for WWE. If I was a kid, why would I want the Shelton Benjamin action figure? An action figure of the guy that loses all the time, what is awesome, cool, and appealing about that?

It's true that Shelton doesn't rake in the cash like other main eventers do, but I also don't see Morrison's fur coats or "R-Truth's Guide to Bad Rapping" flying off the shelves either. My point is that there are others who are also not making WWE any money who are getting pushed.

You also mentioned the current main eventers like Punk, Edge, Rey, Jericho, Hardy, and Undertaker and how there is no room for Shelton. Your probably right with 6 main eventers being good with Morrison on the rise. Everyone knows next year Raw will bludgeon Smackdown with the Draft bat, stealing away everyone you mentioned, and giving them probably Cena or Batista and their cast-outs in exchange, so the more main event stars they make on Smackdown, the better the company will be as a whole. There also always needs to be an upper-midcarder who is ready to step into the main event when needed, which Shelton should be, but legitimately isn't.


Posted By: Guest#2090 (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 03:19 AM

 
 
I saw something of a problem with Morrison's promo. It was the standard "face mocks heel" stuff; a promo John Cena would cut.

They need to have Morrison be cut from his own mold. A few weeks back he did so in the promo before his match with Umaga. Sure it was a little odd, but that's kind of the beauty of it. Let him run with his over the top character, not give him canned insults like the Canadian "eh" thing. Doing this will cause him to be just another face, and that's not a good thing.


Posted By: Crippen (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 05:50 PM

 
 
My deepest apologies. I had no idea a simple misspelling in my previous post would bother you so much that you just had to respond to it. Man...I thought I could slip that one by everyone and just have people focus on my points, but not you...oh not you, your too good. You saw my post and said, "No, your not going to get away with this Guest#2090. The internet wrestling world must know the truth about your misspelled word, and I, ButchReedMark, shall be the one to do it!" But then again, since you also called my post "intelligent" and only nitpicked at my grammar, I must be doing something right, so thanks.
Guest#2090

HAHAHA! that was the greatest come-back I've read to the annoying proof-readers on 411. Good job, buddy! ButchReedMark is clutching his dictonary in fear of you! That was great!


Posted By: Guest#6969 (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 06:05 PM

 
 
I agree with large parts of that analysis.
Yes, there needs to be people in the mid-card who can step into the main-event scene.
Yes, Shelton is great in the ring and puts others over and that is a key talent.Yes he is capable of doing it at main-event level.
Raw will no doubt rape every talent from Smackdown they want (apart from Rey, as the loss of 1 million viewers on Fridays for no Monday gain kinda shows it's a bad idea)
In his feud with Morrison, I'd say Morrison has been elevated and Shelton weakened.
I agree that Shelton's sales and bottom line would be higher if he got a push above where he is now.
And putting Truth over is a waste of time.
However, where I disagree is the conclusion.That therefore WWE should push Shelton.
For the simple reason that while Shelton is capable of being that figure, others make more bottom-line and are more over than him for the same investment in ring/promo/creative time.
Your point about Morrison fur-coats may well be incorrect.They will be this seasons winter-wear barring Morrison having wellness or injury problems.
That is at least partly due to Shelton.
But, if you reversed it, would the wwe see the same return?
I'd argue not.Based on every investment of booking/promo/ring-time that Shelton has had so far he would not see the same interest, buys,sales or drawing ability as others do.
Whatever intangible it is that makes someone get REALLY over is currently missing in Shelton.
It is something that could be as small as an aggressive attitude in the ring being coupled with his improvement on the mic. But at the moment,it ain't quite there.
Everyone that is above him on Smackdown in the main event/upper mid-card- Taker,Hardy,Jericho, Mysterio,Punk,Edge, with Morrison looking like joining them-makes more for the same investment than Shelton.SO you have to push these.
Thankfully on Smackdown that also means good matches.
That's not say that Shelton will not ever be the right guy to push-Umaga getting kicked out and with Taker working part-time for the big events, coupled with Hardy being Hardy, and Reys knees being held together with spit and sawdust means that Shelton is the logical next guy to go to.
It just means that for now, wwe should be using him as a jobber to accentuate the people who make the money and who also (thankfully) are very entertaining.


Posted By: Guest#0013 (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 06:35 PM

 
 
So... is Dolph Zigler the supposed to be the next Billy Gunn? He looks like him, wears similar tights, and tried to do the Fameasser. Im just sayin...

Posted By: Essa Rios (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 06:46 PM

 
 
Will the real Chris Jericho please come to the ring? What has happened to CJ anyway? He used to be a lot more entertaining than he is now. I can remember his spontaneity, his absolute classic comments and confrontations with anybody in the locker room, including Stephanie, and he was the best. Looking and listening to him now, I can't help but wonder why he seems to be such a zombie. Like he's having a hard time remembering his lines. He may be good for the biz, but he is nowhere near as charismatic as he was just a few years ago. Come on, Chris--is the real you in there?

Posted By: guest (Guest)  on June 21, 2009 at 08:22 PM

 
 
"Unfortunately there aren't any currently on Smackdown besides Melina and Gail Kim and seeing how they're both faces, it wouldn't work very well anyway."

So turn one of them heel.


Posted By: Guest#6257 (Guest)  on June 29, 2009 at 03:18 PM

 


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