SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
LISTEN TO WADE KELLER’S PRO WRESTLING POST-SHOW ABOUT THIS EPISODE OF SMACKDOWN HERE.
HITS
Opening Segment: It’s funny how things change in one month. In previous columns, I had begun to list the opening segments that featured Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon as a Miss, because they had become repetitive and dull. Now that the Bryan situation has changed, the segment was interesting and engaging. I was glad to see the callback to “hugging it out” and also appreciated Daniel and Shane making amends for their previous issues. This is definitely a match where the result could go either way, and I’m looking forward to it.
Charlotte vs. Natalya: I’ll be honest, and admit that this was dangerously close to being listed as a Miss simply for the fact that it continued the Smackdown repetitive streak of not only having Charlotte face off against Natalya again, but also having Carmella interrupt with a teased cash-in (again.) Therefore, this is a minor hit due to the fact that it was still a good match, with a different result, and had a post-match follow up with Asuka. While I do think that Asuka’s promos are a little out there, the segment did its job in placing the focus on their upcoming match at WrestleMania. I was glad to see Charlotte get the final word this time, and look forward to Sunday.
Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn: Another base hit, but not a home run, simply for the fact that it took several minutes for these “fired” individuals to have their microphones cut off. In addition, while warned by referees, they also still walked out on their own without really being escorted. The main driver of the hit is the fact that both players executed their parts very well. I appreciated how they were talking quickly (as they should), and that they got their points across, while promoting their match. Good work by Owens and Zayn.
A.J. Styles/Shinsuke Nakamura: The WWE hit the right notes this week in the final promotion for the WWE Championship match. I always enjoy the sit-down interviews leading up to a big match, as it gives a sports-like and serious feel. The tag match was also well done, with Benjamin & Gable providing athletic competition. Finally, I also appreciated the call back to last week with Styles getting the upper hand on Shinsuke, and being the one to get the win in the match. While expectations are high, I’m sold on WrestleMania, and look forward to seeing what happens next.
MISSES
Text on Screen: As I said in previous weeks, if the WWE feels the need to keep using this annoying tactic, I’ll give it a Miss every week. Check.
New Day-Usos-Bludgeon Brothers: What has been an intriguing and mostly serious build took a wide turn past the Uso’s Penitentiary, and straight into absurdity. I’m fine if the WWE wants to promote WrestleMania for free to new subscribers, and yes, the New Day would be a logical choice in being a part of it, but to take what’s been a good storyline into a somewhat cheesy commercial did the feud no favors, and made no sense. To have the Bludgeon Brothers enter the scene and smash the camera was pointless, and took it out of any reality that was there. While I like Rowan & Harper, they are moving closer and closer to eventually becoming comical with their hammer smashing. You can let them be tough and scary, but the props are not really working for me.
Eight-Man Tag Team Match: This was obviously filler and used to promote the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but what really annoyed me was closer to the end of the match when everyone began throwing each other over the top rope. WWE has a habit of doing these things around the Royal Rumble time, or whenever there is a big multi-man match, but to have each one do this BEFORE THE END OF THE MATCH insults the audience’s intelligence as the point of a match is to win. This was not a battle royal, so it made no sense that every wrestler would want to keep throwing people out of the ring when they should be trying to pin or submit their opponent. If you want to have the wrestlers do this throwing tactic, save it for afterwards.
Jeff Indelicato has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was knee high to a grasshopper (little kid) after coming across the Wrestling Challenge episode after WrestleMania 7. He has not looked back. His passion has led him to winning wrestling trivia contests in his city, and even won him his Senior Talent Show by dancing to Shawn Michaels’ theme song. When not annoying others with wrestling talk, he loves spending time with his family and friends, and focuses on his other passion: movies. Follow him on Twitter @the_Indel or send him an email at indelpw@gmail.com.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 3/27: Rusev added to U.S. Title match, Bryan’s promo, Shinsuke vs. Shelton, Ziggler, Words on Screen
Well technically not SD-Live…. I finally watched the final of Mixed Match Challenge. It was never in doubt that Asuka’s team would win, they aren’t going to kill the no-loss thing before WM but man oh man, there is absolutely no chemistry with Charlotte. The few brief interactions looked really weak and Charlotte has more chemistry with Miz.