SmackDown! Thoughts

AudioSavior

The opening with JBK reminded me of a HHH promo but less annoying because we don't see it as much from JBL as from HHH. I missed the Benoit match but I am gonna guess Benoit won?

Next was Eddie and Paul London. Paul London really needs to get some mic time and develop a personality because no one is going to care about this guy if he doesn't have a voice. It was a pretty good match with Eddie using a submission for a change as a finisher. Rey then came out and beat the living snot out of Eddie with a chair and then the fight carried over to the back of a transport truck where Eddie locked Rey and a few refs in.

It should be interesting seeing the Bashams surviving now that they have quit the JBL cabinet. I wonder if we will see a real tag division now.

Carlito's Carabana's guest was Booker T and his wife. No idea why Booker comes out all smiles when he knows Carlito is a heel. I thought that it was pretty boring other than might have started a feud with each other? It didn't really keep my interest at all.

The Big Show Matt Morgan match was interfered by Carlito and then Matt got choke slammed into the announce table. I have a feeling we will see a tag match next week between Booker and Big Show taking on Carlito and Matt.


I don't think Orlando likes being called Buckwheat. He started yelling at the crowd, "What do you want? Call me Buckwheat all you want". Holly still can get cheers and pops from the crowd. They seems pretty into the match, which was pretty entertaining, The ending was a little weak but you have to expect the heel to cheat a bit to win. Specially if they have a belt.

The fans seems to be taking to Hidenrlskdfhlshg really well. The divas coming in has it's ups and downs if you know what I mean. I noticed someone tossed one of the kisses in the ring and hit Michelle. The MNM coming down was kind of funny. I don't know what kind of payback could be in store. A mixed tag match?

Looks like a feud between Benoit and Orlando. I think this is just what Orlando needs to make him a bigger star. Feuding with guys like Benoit will give him a big push.

The main event was Taker VS JBL. I thought this was a pretty good match for 2 big guys. Taker still has what it takes and JBL was made to look pretty credible kicking out many times and especially after the Last Ride. Randy Orton being the draft pick was a nice surprise. I would have liked him to have gotten more air time, instead of just a run in at the end and a few seconds mic time. I would imagine he doesn't like it though. It does allow for the feud with Taker to carry on. But the question is, where does Orton go from there?

Over all SD! was entertaining and I think it has improved slightly from the previous weeks. There are a few good feuds shaping up nicely and it might help with the overall ratings of SD!

ICEMAN

I caught most of SD! but missed bits and pieces of and will watch the rest later on tape. Here's what I liked and didn't like:

Liked:
-Eddie/Rey storyline continuing to progress. This has been a great feud. I don't think they'll have much of a match next week; it's all likely just more build towards a final encounter at Great American Bash.

-Randy Orton drafted to Smackdown. Once he's cleared to return to the ring, and one would have to think he's close since he delivered an RKO (he just needs to get back the weight he lost from not being able to lift), he'll be a great addition to a show that was lacking in main event level heels. He has good chemistry with 'Taker and from there he's either going to wrestle Benoit, Rey or whoever the SD! champ is: Cena (I think there's a chance he gets moved back after Vengeance), Triple H or Batista.

-Bashams breaking away from JBL. Both guys have the potential to be solid singles performers, maybe now they'll get that chance, or at least another tag team run against maybe MNM.

-Melina's promo was solid and boy oh boy is she hot.

-OJ/Holly match was a very good TV match. I can't believe I'm saying this but Holly has been one of the better performers in-ring for Smackdown the last few months, both in singles and tag. OJ is rapidly improving too.

Dislikes:
-The other divas in the Heidenreich segment.

-Big Show/Matt Morgan match.

Overall I found SD! to be a good show. They've definitely improved the last few months. Hopefully no other top guys will leave and when they geta World Champion back on the roster, they'll be in good shape.