By Jon Mezzera, Torch Specialist

SMACKDOWN HITS

Opening Segment: I had a few problems with the start of Smackdown, but on the whole it was good. I loved how Rey Mysterio interrupted DX. His verbal confrontation against Shawn Michaels was very well done. I loved how he called Michaels out for disrespecting him. Some of the jokes that ensued were not particularly funny, but they were ok. I also liked CM Punk's interruption trying to get the focus back on him and his Straight Edge Society. I liked hearing Triple H say that he doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs either. At some point, someone had to say that since that part of Punk's character shouldn't be what makes him a heel (as opposed to his cult leader status). I could have done without the gay joke again. This all set up what was a bait-and-switch that I can live with. Assuming that Punk and Luke Gallows do get their Tag Team Title shot down the line, I am fine with getting to see Triple H vs. Punk and Mysterio vs. Michaels instead. Some may criticize WWE for not announcing that match ahead of time, but DX was advertised for the show, and this was an organic way to get to that match.

Triple H vs. Punk: This was a good match and a tease for what these two could possibly do in a longer PPV type match. They did a nice job of booking the match to keep switching control. This wasn't a typical formula with Punk in control for the bulk of the middle of the match until Triple H made a come back. It went back and forth better than that. The DQ finish was predictable, but was the right move. Serena looked bad trying to jump on The Game's back the first time, but got it right the second time. Michaels' save worked well as did the confrontation between DX and Punk afterwards with Punk using Serena as a shield. The frustration shown by Triple H afterwards will help in the build to the eventual Tag Title match.

Jericho vs. Truth: I was glad to see WWE go to this match after it was set up on the previous night's Superstars. Chris Jericho and R-Truth work well together. I like seeing another mid-card wrestler getting at least a mini push. Jericho has been on something of a losing streak lately, which I hope doesn't continue for too long. He can only do so many great promos to keep his heat. He needs some wins too. But, it was a good match. My only complaint is that at 8 minutes, it was too short to have a commercial break. I would have rather seen the match only go 5 minutes without a commercial. Other than that, I enjoyed the match.

Morrison vs. McIntyre: This was another good match on this show. The quality wrestling just kept coming and I wasn't going to complain. The announcers did a good job of setting the stage for this match, commenting on Drew McIntyre's cheating ways and how he could not get disqualified in this match to keep the Intercontinental Title. I also liked John Morrison's promo beforehand as it upheld the importance of the IC Belt. Morrison and McIntyre should be commended for having a no DQ match that wasn't a garbage brawl. For the most part, it was a traditional wrestling match, but they used weapons and the ringside area in smart ways to enhance the action. Morrison had been on a track to the main event, but this losing streak against the rookie McIntyre goes against that. I would love to see Morrison go after the World Title in 2010, but it is hard to do that when he can't beat the IC Champ.

Mysterio vs. Michaels: It seems that whenever WWE puts Rey Mysterio in the main event (or at the very least a prominent position) on Smackdown, the ratings are high. If that's the case, and if DX is still a draw, then the ratings for this show culminating in this excellent main event have to be very good. I knew going into the match that the show had to end with Undertaker doing a double choke slam on Mysterio and Michaels. I also knew that Batista had to get involved after what he did to Mysterio last week and his backstage encounter with Michaels this week. The end of the show was predictable, yet very effective in hyping the Royal Rumble. The match itself did not disappoint. It went nearly 16 minutes and on a show that featured good to very good wrestling, this was the best. The match really went back and forth very well. They had so many counters and neither could sustain momentum. I like how the two quick, agile and high flying wrestlers also brawled some and used mat wrestling and submission holds. There was a little bit of everything. They each got to hit all their signature spots. The near falls at the end were convincing. As soon as Mysterio set up for a springboard after finally hitting the 6-1-9, I knew the Shelton Benjamin ending was coming. But again, it was awesome even if I saw it coming. These two in a 20+ minute PPV match would easily deliver a match of the year candidate.

SMACKDOWN MISSES

Batista's Hat: Batista just looked silly in that outfit with the sweater vest and hat. I honestly can't remember what he said in his interview with Josh Mathews since I was distracted by his hat. My wife event commented that her pet from Petville has the same outfit that Batista was wearing which for those of you not familiar with the Facebook "game" is not a compliment. That outfit would have been perfect for a different type of heel, but not for a badass heel like Batista.

LayCool: As much as I liked the long Divas segment last week, I did not like this week's Piggie James scene. I give Layla credit for going all out with it, but I didn't find it entertaining in the least. It didn't make me more disgusted with Michelle McCool. It didn't make me want to see Mickie James get revenge by taking the Women's Championship at the PPV more than I already did. It went on too long. If it had been shorter it wouldn't have been so bad. The fact that a WWE referee would go along with the charade was pretty stupid also.

Jon Mezzera is PWTorch.com's WWE Hits & Misses Specialist, providing his point of view for Raw, Smackdown, ECW, and Superstars each week. Email him at jmezz-torch@sbcglobal.net.

For another view from the original Hitlist author, compare Jason Powell's views to mine by visiting prowrestling.NET's "Hitlist" section here.

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