By Jon Mezzera, Torch Specialist

SMACKDOWN HITS

Del Rio's Fiesta: I continue to hope that Alberto Del Rio will be more impressive in his future in ring endeavors than he was in his debut match against Rey Mysterio, because he is very impressive otherwise. He makes me laugh and want to see him get punched out at the same time, which is a great quality for a heel like him to have. I loved how he destroyed the piñata with Mysterio's mask on it. He plays his part very well. I wish that there was another mid-level babyface whom the fans are behind other than Christian, because he has to carry the load coming out to stand up for Mysterio, while still feuding with Drew McIntyre. It worked ok this week, with Del Rio backing off from the challenge, only to have McIntyre jump Christian from behind. But, at some point WWE needs to find some more good babyfaces for guys like Del Rio, McIntyre and Cody Rhodes to feud with.

Christian vs. McIntyre: That opening segment led into this opening match. This is an example of where a shorter match can work. The story of the match was Christian trying to survive and get a quick win after the pre-match attack. It worked very well. He got a leverage pin after only 5 minutes, but the nature of that surprise pin is what made it work. Christian did a nice job in selling the rib injury. McIntyre also did a nice job of selling the back injury that he sustained during the match and anger after losing.

Undertaker - Kane: This is just a marginal Hit. I am tired of the supernatural aspects of this storyline. I have never been a big fan of them in regards to Undertaker over the years. However, I understand that I have to at least accept them at this point. If I look past them (which can be difficult), I can appreciate what WWE is doing with this angle. Kane's performance has been very good. Undertaker is playing his part well too, selling confusion and a weakened state. This does feel special, like the culmination of a storyline that has been in the works for over a decade. I'm sure WWE just thought of it a few months ago, but the writers are doing a very good job of tapping into the long history between these characters.

SMACKDOWN MISSES

Hornswoggle Electrocutes a Sadistic Psychologist: Do I need to say anything other than the title of this Miss? I doubt it, other than possibly to point out that the "doctor" was smoking from the electric shock treatment machine. Smoking!

Rhodes vs. Hardy: Cody Rhodes' pre-match insults of Matt Hardy seemed to cut a little too close to the bone. What Matt Striker said about Hardy may be right. Hardy has had multiple injuries and various health issues over the last few years. Perhaps he can't be hitting the gym like he used to. But, if that's the case, then why is he wrestling? He has a storyline ankle injury, and when he limps as much as he does, it really calls into question the idea that WWE has doctors who clear wrestlers to wrestle (which they do bring up from time to time). How could he be cleared to wrestle? That is a storyline issue which I have problems with. But, a real life issue is that if he really can't work out more, then he has no business in the ring. The combination of those factors and Rhodes' insults made it difficult for me to watch this match.

Jon Mezzera is PWTorch.com's WWE Hits & Misses Specialist, providing his point of view for Raw, Smackdown, NXT, 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.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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