A pretty good show last night. Matt Hardy is still going strong and the announcers are really positive on him, which helps. Although JBL said something to the effect of "A year ago these guys couldn't even do counters." But Matt Hardy has been doing them okay for about a decade now.
Chuck Palumbo as a motorcycle freak is a better gimmick than "Chuck and Billy" but may not get him as much time in front of the camera.
I was hoping Rey Mysterio would be moved to ECW to fill in the Benoit spot and help out that show, but at least he's coming back.
And I might be the only one who hopes that Kahli beats up Batista and moves on.
Actually, I think JBL said that neither Hardy nor MVP were capable of competing at the level they are now a year ago. Which is still a lie, but it makes it seem like we should be paying attention to them, which is good. I've really been loving the Matt Hardy push, especially because it almost always means a great match on Friday, and I would not complain one bit if they decided to give him the US title. I'd complain even less if they still had him wrestle every week, defending said title. I really miss the fighting champ gimick.
I haven't really been watching Smackdown lately so maybe somebody can clue me in. Is Matt Hardy actually doing anything? I've read results and it seems like he is getting some good wins and having good matches but does he have any kind of story or feud going on?
Originally posted by QuezzyI haven't really been watching Smackdown lately so maybe somebody can clue me in. Is Matt Hardy actually doing anything? I've read results and it seems like he is getting some good wins and having good matches but does he have any kind of story or feud going on?
He hasn't had any mike time or anything, but the story Cole and JBL have been getting over is that he's on the hot streak of his career, and he's right on the cusp of a major title opportunity. He's had big wins in good, long matches for something like the last two months.
Originally posted by QuezzyI haven't really been watching Smackdown lately so maybe somebody can clue me in. Is Matt Hardy actually doing anything? I've read results and it seems like he is getting some good wins and having good matches but does he have any kind of story or feud going on?
Why would you ask that after the first couple of posts?
Originally posted by QuezzyI haven't really been watching Smackdown lately so maybe somebody can clue me in. Is Matt Hardy actually doing anything? I've read results and it seems like he is getting some good wins and having good matches but does he have any kind of story or feud going on?
Why would you ask that after the first couple of posts?
Nothing in the first two posts really gave a detailed account of the 2007 Life and Times of Matthew Q Hardy other than saying he's in a push. Not really cool to jump down somebody's throat who just wants some details.
It was funny hearing Cole say Matt has been the MVP of Smackdown, but later said if he won on the show, he'd be in the hunt for a U.S Title shot. So the MVP of the show isn't even a US Title contender?
My Vengeance hangout report and more!: Experience It
that was pretty good for two old guys beating the crap out of each other.
listening to the commentary, you'd think we were going to see Finley/Hornswaggle vs Flair/Li'l Naitch sometime soon. I hope Robinson has better luck than when he had to wrestle Savage and ended up with a collapsed lung.
I grew up in Dallas watching the old World Class Championship Wrestling. I loved JBL's references to WCCW, the Simpson Brothers (who I met at an IHOP back in the day), the Sportatorium, Kerry von Erich, etc. But I had to wonder if the rest of the country, especially the younger crowd, had a bunch of question marks over their heads.
Originally posted by Deacon JimI grew up in Dallas watching the old World Class Championship Wrestling. I loved JBL's references to WCCW, the Simpson Brothers (who I met at an IHOP back in the day), the Sportatorium, Kerry von Erich, etc. But I had to wonder if the rest of the country, especially the younger crowd, had a bunch of question marks over their heads.
I like that JBL doesn't dilute everything he says to appeal to the masses. It's quite refreshing. Maybe it will encourage those with questions marks over their heads to check out WCCW on 24/7? It is a great time to get on board.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
Yang did as much to put over Masters as anyone else except maybe Stevie Richards. The lift and twirl into the Masterlock was brilliant.
The Major Brothers look as generic as a new tag team can. Nothing of note to see here.
Palumbo brought back the Gunnslinger as a finisher, and that's the best part of his gimmick.
I couldn't believe Matt and MVP got half an hour. You never see that on RAW (OK, yes, Shawn/Cena, but that was to cover for Edge/Orton).
I'm not digging Edge/Kane because Kane has yet to do anything since Umaga banished him to SmackDown.and he completely carried the Cutting Edge segment. But Kane has no credibility as a title contender. Big and strong and mobile, yes. But who thinks he's gonna take the belt?
Is this Batista's first try at carrying a less experienced wrestler?
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Matt TrackerPalumbo brought back the Gunnslinger as a finisher, and that's the best part of his gimmick.
I DVR'd it on Friday and finally got around to watching the show yesterday.
I hate when WWE pushes a guy as "AND THIS IS WHO HE REALLY IS! THIS IS HIS REAL PERSONA! HE'S JUST A REGULAR GUY!" Remember when they did that with one of the Headbangers after his Beaver Cleavage gimmick died? Yech. Besides, how can anyone watch Chuck's new gimmick and not automatically think "BikerTaker" right away? Was I the only one?
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeBesides, how can anyone watch Chuck's new gimmick and not automatically think "BikerTaker" right away? Was I the only one?
It seemed similar as well to the Razor Ramon gimmick: a big black-haired guy tossing around a quasi-cruiserweight. And my how Kenny has fallen in stature since the Squad fell apart.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
When Palumbo came out, I was certainly running "Keep rollin' rollin' rollin' rol-lin'..." in my head. I wonder if he had to pay 'taker for the "supernaturally disappearing ring steps" gimmick
I would have been more interested in Henry/Khali than Batista, I can't see that match being remotely compelling without buckets of blood involved.
Mostly I wanted to post here to second Odessa's love for Flair/Finlay, that match ruled from here to Sunday.
Originally posted by Matt TrackerYou never see that on RAW (OK, yes, Shawn/Cena, but that was to cover for Edge/Orton).
Actually, they just pretended to book Edge/Orton knowing it would never take place, to give the 'unexpected' 60 minute match more credibility. Not that I am not enjoying Matt Hardy as last man standing for long SD matches now that the show has lost London, Kendrick, and the late wrestler Chris Benoit.
But Kane has no credibility as a title contender. Big and strong and mobile, yes. But who thinks he's gonna take the belt?
Seriously. Although it's been too long since the unexpected Kane PPV headlining (June '04?), I guess. I don't really mind doing the unwanted challengers for a month when they're doing combined PPVs, but Ric Flair vs. Edge would've been a better match, been more over, already had TV to set it up, drawn more, and has a history of drawing ratings.
I know it was originally planned as Rey Mysterio/Edge. I don't know if Rey isn't ready to wrestle yet, if they didn't want his comeback to be a title match, or if they just decided Kane > Rey. I hope they're saving it for the Summer Slam because that match would be great and I don't believe they've ever wrestled except for some hot spots in the Royal Rumble.
Originally posted by Deacon JimI grew up in Dallas watching the old World Class Championship Wrestling. I loved JBL's references to WCCW, the Simpson Brothers (who I met at an IHOP back in the day), the Sportatorium, Kerry von Erich, etc. But I had to wonder if the rest of the country, especially the younger crowd, had a bunch of question marks over their heads.
I like that JBL doesn't dilute everything he says to appeal to the masses. It's quite refreshing. Maybe it will encourage those with questions marks over their heads to check out WCCW on 24/7? It is a great time to get on board.
It might convince some of the older audience to do that, but I'm not sure the younger audience has the ability to add to their parents' cable plan. Well, aside from Bart/Lisa-esque "Can we have 24/7, Dad?" No. "Can we have 24/7 Dad?" No. "Can we have 24/7, Dad?"
As for JBL, the problem isn't diluting this or that -- it's a matter of him trying REALLY hard to make things that aren't all that historic, historic. Which, to me, is annoying. Some of you will say that's his job to put over the stuff so highly, but when it's every single thing, it's hard to keep track of what really is historic and what isn't. JBL is a terrible announcer and a lesson in hyperbole.
I've become numb to when Cole says ______ is the greatest _____ of all-time, but JBL says it with so much conviction and that stupid drawl of his, it sounds cheesy and like HE honestly believes it. It makes me cringe everytime they say that something is the greatest ________. of all-time. Smackdown history? OK Wrestling history? Ugggh.
If someone can explain to me how saying everything is the greatest this or that of all-time is good announcing, I would appreciate it.
Originally posted by WhattaburgerIf someone can explain to me how saying everything is the greatest this or that of all-time is good announcing, I would appreciate it.
Hold on, I think I still have Tony Schiavone on speed dial.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroBut Kane has no credibility as a title contender. Big and strong and mobile, yes. But who thinks he's gonna take the belt?
Seriously. Although it's been too long since the unexpected Kane PPV headlining (June '04?), I guess. I don't really mind doing the unwanted challengers for a month when they're doing combined PPVs, but Ric Flair vs. Edge would've been a better match, been more over, already had TV to set it up, drawn more, and has a history of drawing ratings. Part of the problem is that Kane hasn't been a very compelling babyface contender since he lost the mask. His character just doesn't lend itself well to it. As a heel contender, he has more freedom to be the big, nasty monster.
It was easier when he was behind the mask, since he had the whole "overcoming his disfigurement" thing behind him. But he doesn't have that anymore, and needs to somehow reinvent his character to be a more compelling face.
You're right about Zenk. He's pretty consistant in his bitterness. He has nothing good to say about anyone or anything. I kind of see him as the anti-kafabe. But that's what America (and for that matter, most of the "west") is all about: