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Torch Flashbacks
WWE Smackdown Reax #1: "This is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense."
Aug 23, 2008 - 12:32:44 PM


EMAIL UPDATE: Remember if you're sending Reax to any email except pwtorch@gmail.com, I am no longer receiving it. Be sure to direct your Reax to that email. Thanks.

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.5): Best: Finlay vs. Shelton Worst: batle royal. So Smackdown has its Championship Scramble now, and the rules were compounded by what sounded like Rumble rules. Don't think this match concept has been thoroughly defined. That said, the match was made important with the qualifiers, something Raw should have done instead, which would further explained some of their interactions. The battle royal was loaded with problems. Kozlov is given his first technical loss, though it will probably be forgotten. Unless, of course, he exacts revenge on those who tossed him out, most of whom he's squashed already. Big Show is in that state of having nothing creatively to do (oversight indeed), so he invades the battle royal and illegally eliminates everyone but Kendrick. Interesting finish leaving Kendrick to win, despite the rest of the booking of the match. MVP-Festus and Finlay-Shelton were both very good matches with Finlay-Shelton edging for post-match done right. The punishment of Kenny continues via Triple H. Could lead to something curious afterwards, though, as Kenny made a good point in his promo of wanting to be taken seriously. Not holding my breath, though. While it was well done, I'm also holding judgment on the end segment. It was difficult to tell if Vickie was really trapping Taker, or if La Familia was simply trying to protect her when Taker didn't seem to accepting of any apologies from Vickie. Of the three, Smackdown made the most of the PPV exit.

Alex Roberts in the UK (0.5): Best Match: Shelton Benjamin vs. Finlay. Worst Match: Squashamania a/k/a The Battle Royal. If this is an example of the best of WWE booking, then clearly I'm massively out of step with the rest of the wrestling world. Without doubt and without question this is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense. For example, a week after having Koslov go over Festus they protected Festus with a screwy finish to his match with MVP but had no qualms with Koslov being squashed by The Big Show. Speaking of The Big Show, what has happened to him? Can anyone explain how the "fantastic creative team" behind Smackdown have managed to turn the hottest act in professional wrestling into this? Why has he been reduced to a creative afterthought squashing nobodies? And why in a match that should have been about getting Kendrick over was The Big Show the centre of attention? In fact, why were all four Championship Scramble challengers given such poor booking as they qualified for a title shot? Not one of them got a convincing or clean victory; is this how the WWE builds momentum now? And was Triple H's awful promo (seriously, get rid of the forced and unfunny comedy already) him putting the match and his challengers over? And is this Kenny Dykstra angle going to lead to anything other than Kenny being squashed every week? On top of all of this the "best creative team around" have decided to continue the unbelievably stale Vickie Guerrero-Undertaker angle, as if that's got anywhere to go now and as if what everyone was crying out for was another evil authority vs. wrestler angle. The laws of diminishing returns have rendered that angle pointless now. I find myself on the verge of giving up on Smackdown again; they've got me for one more week because potentially they can push Kendrick, MVP, Hardy, and Benjamin during this Championship Scramble. but if they screw that up I'm gone. I do however feel some credit must be given to Shelton Benjamin who is just about the only reason this Smackdown rose above a zero for me. Over the past year Benjamin has developed beyond all recognition; he now looks and sounds comfortable on the mic and continues to evolve and improve in the ring. If WWE screws up his push after all the obvious work he's put in and the improvements he's made, then I'm going to end up throwing something at my TV. He's done everything WWE has asked of him lately and the time has come for them to reward that. All in all, though, Smackdown continues to be the pointless, creative afterthought that its been for far too long. There are no feuds and no driving force or direction to the show. Everything is just there without momentum and point. Once again I find myself saying that if this is the best the WWE has to offer, then I'd prefer they produce their worst.

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "Smackdown Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on Smackdown, click here.


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MORE "Torch Flashbacks" ARTICLES
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (11-21-08): Final Survivor Series build-up to Undertaker vs. Big Show casket match, Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H, Morrison & Miz
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 10 YRS. AGO (11-14-99): Big Show vs. Triple H vs. The Rock, Edge & Christian & Hardys team, Chris Jericho vs. Chyna
KELLER'S WWF SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 15 YRS. AGO (11-23-94): Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund, Undertaker vs. Yokozuna, Team Hall & Waltman vs. Team Michaels & Nash
KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-11-04): Survivor Series build-up - Kurt Angle vs. Big Show, RVD & Eddie vs. Jindrak & Luther "Torch Talk" Reigns
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about Eric Bischoff, the demise of WCW
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his relationship with Ric Flair
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his relationship with Vince Russo
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TNA News: Hulk Hogan to TNA - The most-detailed timeline you will read of the behind-the-scenes insider news on Hulk Hogan's first tease of working for TNA
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TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about disagreements with Vince McMahon
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CALDWELL'S WWE CYBER SUNDAY PPV REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-26-08): Chris Jericho vs. Batista, Santino vs. Honky, Remember the Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne ECW Title match?
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TNA IMPACT 5 YRS. AGO: Keller's report on show featuring Jeff Hardy, R-Truth, Styles, Sabin, Jarrett, Daniels
KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-23-08): One-year anniversary of the Main Event Mafia formed in Las Vegas, Kevin Nash & Sting vs. A.J. Styles & Samoa Joe main event
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS AGO: Edge & Benoit & Michaels vs. Flair & Triple H & Batista, Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, Jericho, Orton, Rhyno, Snitsky
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS AGO: Triple H vs. Jericho, Michaels vs. Christian, Stacy Keibler vs. Molly Holly, Benoit vs. Batista, Lita's Pregnancy
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT - 10 YEARS AGO: Steve Austin health update, The Rock vs. Jericho headlines, Edge & Christian vs. Hardyz, Chyna, Mae Young

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Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
WWE RAW 11/16: Place Your Bets on tonight's Raw - Week 12 featuring Roddy Piper
WWE RAW 11/2: "Place your Bets" Scoreboard after Week 11 - Review the previous scores before tonight's Raw PYB contest
TORCH MONTHLY AWARDS: List of the 2009 Torch Monthly Award winners through October
WWE News
WWE News: What's on Smackdown tonight - Taker & Kane vs. Big Show & Jericho
WWE News: Jim Ross comments on possible WrestleMania 26 return, current WWE contract status
TORCH TALK DAILY with Eric Bischoff: In-depth look at why Vince McMahon is marketing the WWE product as PG family-friendly
TNA News
TNA News: TNA Impact ratings break down - Inside the numbers on TNA's recent ratings trends
TNA News: Impact rating is in - how did post Turning Point episode fare?
TNA News: Details on Chris Sabin re-injuring his neck at this week's Impact tapings
ROH News
ROH News: ROH Title match signed for Final Battle; Air dates for McGuinness and Danielson's Farewell speeches
ROH News: Ring of Honor announces details on Austin Aries's next ROH Title defense
ROH News: Tonight is Bryan Danielson's final ROH match - details on tonight's special ROH TV episode (w/VIDEO)
Other News
PWG News: First round matches for tonight's Battle of Los Angeles tournament - Aries vs. Kendrick; Cabana, Shelley, Strong in action
Hogan News: Hulkamania Tour secures TV deal in Australia, Notes on Hogan & Flair arriving at the airport to begin the tour
Austin News: Steve Austin to appear in new season of NBC's "Chuck" show
PPV Reports
CALDWELL'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV REPORT 11/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels
RADICAN'S DGUSA "Untouchable" PPV review - Doi vs. Danielson, Shingo vs. Richards
10/25 WWE Bragging Rights Results: KELLER'S detailed match-by-match PPV report - Cena vs. Orton Iron Man match
TV Reports
PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 11/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Jericho & Show vs. Undertaker & Kane
CALDWELL'S WWE SUPERSTARS TV REPORT 11/19: Complete coverage of Henry vs. Rhodes on WGN
PARKS' TNA IMPACT REPORT 11/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the post-Turning Point show
Arena Reports
11/14 TNA in Scranton, Pa.: Second Report - Styles vs. Joe vs. Daniels, Chris Sabin vs. Suicide, Amazing Red vs. Homicide
11/14 WWE in Dublin: The Undertaker very limited in the ring vs. C.M. Punk, Rey vs. Dolph, Very interesting John Morrison vs. Matt Hardy match, No Jericho
11/14 TNA in Scranton, Pa.: Home of "The Office" delivers Styles vs. Joe vs. Daniels and Amazing Red vs. Homicide PPV warm-up matches
MMA / UFC Coverage
MMA News: Update on Brock Lesnar's health - how long Lesnar had been dealing with health problems, expected return to UFC
MMA News: Brock Lesnar health update - UFC president much more optimistic than this weekend
MMA News: Brock Lesnar released from the hospital tonight; Lesnar's UFC future in doubt
KELLER'S TAKE
KELLER BLOG: WrestleMania goes up to $55, all other PPVs $45 - let the pirate feed frenzy begin
KELLER BLOG: Dixie Carter asks wrestlers to step it up, but what does that mean? Shouldn't their goal to be winning matches and nothing else?
KELLER FLASHBACK: Review of Hulk Hogan's first autobiography - Hogan's political maneuvers evident in who he protects and buries
MITCHELL'S TAKE
MITCHELL FLASHBACK (Dec. 1994): C.M. Punk's character is the latest Vince McMahon creation responding to criticism of his WWE product
MOJO MITCHELL'S WWE RAW 11/16: Stream of Piper In The Back, Hornswoggle Stabbed in the Back, An MSG Look Back, Mr. McMahon Backs Out, Kofi Kingston Backs Randy Orton Up
MOJO MITCHELL'S RAW 11/2: Stream of My Fourth Grade Hero and The Mid-Card Kicks Main Event Ass
MCNEILL'S TAKE
The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down: McNEILL previews TNA Turning Point 2009!
McNEILL BLOG: The Big Questions About Hulk Hogan in TNA
Fight For Your Right to Bragging: McNEILL Previews WWE Bragging Rights!
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL'S PPV/DVD REVIEW: Dragon Gate USA's "Open the Historic Gate" debut event - Review of whether following DGUSA is worth your time and money
CALDWELL'S TUESDAY CHAT w/GREG PARKS: Raw, Smackdown, TNA PPV discussion - MSG crowd, Survivor Series hype, Kofi breaks out, CSI:Miami vs. 30 Rock
CALDWELL'S BLOG: Hitting the hot topics - Raw tonight, Turning Point vs. Survivor Series, Jesse Ventura, Brock Lesnar, Shane McMahon
RADICAN'S TAKE
RADICAN: A list of things wresters and TNA fans can support for Dixie Carter
RADICAN'S SHIMMER Vol. 23 Review - Busic-Melissa, Kong-Martinez, MsChif-Deeb
RADICAN: Daddy's little girl V 2.0 debuts on Impact
The Specialists
11/19 WWE Superstars Hits & Misses: Rosa Mendes, Eric Escobar, Lackluster Show
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - TNA Impact 11/19: Forgotten history between A.J. and Angle, TNA's new cameras, Pope gets referee assist, Numbers - The Rock a horrible tag champ
HITS & MISSES - TNA IMPACT 11/12: Review of last week's show before tonight's Impact - Wolfe-Angle build-up, Lethal loses to Niedhart
Guest Editorials
GUEST EDITORIAL: Disgruntled TNA fan says he's done with the promotion after today's Impact taping (Contains SPOILERS)
GUEST EDITORIAL: The ultimate irony - Hulk Hogan appears on TNA Impact and pre-taped TV sitcom promoting WWE on the same night
GUEST BOOK REVIEW: Hulk Hogan provides strong defense of his public image in new autobiography
Torch Feedback
ECW TV Reax #1: "C.M. Punk scoring the pin in the main event made Smackdown seem more important than ECW"
WWE Raw Reax #3: "While WWE delivered an above-quality show, they still haven't given viewers a reason to order Survivor Series"
WWE Raw Reax #2: "This was NOT one of the best Raws of 2009, but one of the worst..."
Ask the Editor
Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not?
ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"?
ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"?
DVDs - VGames - Books
CALDWELL'S PPV/DVD REVIEW: Dragon Gate USA's "Open the Historic Gate" debut event - Review of whether following DGUSA is worth your time and money
RADICAN'S ROH DVD REVIEW SERIES: Death Before Dishonor VII: N2 - Storm-Hero, Ryan-Cabana
RADICAN'S SHIMMER Vol. 23 Review - Busic-Melissa, Kong-Martinez, MsChif-Deeb
Torch Flashbacks
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (11-21-08): Final Survivor Series build-up to Undertaker vs. Big Show casket match, Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H, Morrison & Miz
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 10 YRS. AGO (11-14-99): Big Show vs. Triple H vs. The Rock, Edge & Christian & Hardys team, Chris Jericho vs. Chyna
KELLER'S WWF SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 15 YRS. AGO (11-23-94): Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund, Undertaker vs. Yokozuna, Team Hall & Waltman vs. Team Michaels & Nash
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PWTorch Newsletter #1117/1118 (31 pages!): Raw at MSG, TNA Victory Road PPV Roundtable, Mitchell on Russo-Hogan, Keller on Dixie Speech, more
Torch Trivia
TORCH TRIVIA 2/28: Which wrestler backed out of a WWA PPV in February 2002?
TORCH TRIVIA 2/27: Who said this quote about Hulk Hogan's athleticism 11 years ago?
TORCH TRIVIA 2/25: What said this quote about WWE's mid-1990s drug testing policy?
Torch Instant Polls
SMACKDOWN POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/20 Smackdown if you saw the show?
TNA IMPACT POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/19 Impact if you saw the show?
ECW MVP POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/17 ECW TV if you saw the show?
PWTorch Free Podcast
11/4 Nostalgia Audio with Brian Hoops: Format change to the show, new guest host, upcoming shows
FREE FOR ALL: 10/27 Bruce Mitchell Audio Special: Hogan-Bischoff-TNA story from all angles including Monday Night War II possibilities (32 min.)
6/23 Nostalgia Audio with Brian Hoops: Former WCW rapmaster PN News joins Brian Hoops to preview upcoming Midwest shows (10 min.)
Annual Obituaries
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade...
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart