GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE 3/2/12 SMACKDOWN
By Revin Samuel on 3/3/2012 3:55 PM
SMACKDOWN – 3/2/12
What this show needs to accomplish?
•Daniel Bryan and Sheamus. This program really isn’t getting a ton of attention even though both men are appearing regularly on both Raw and Smackdown. Just like Jericho and Punk on Monday, I think they need to elevate the storyline this week
•Cody and Big Show. We know Big Show sucks at Wrestlemania and that is the basis for this program, but what’s next? Cody has shown up the footage of Show’s Wrestlemania embarrassments. How do we keep the program compelling for another four weeks? Tonight would be a good starting point to begin what I’d consider chapter two of this program
•Heel protection. I seem to be harping on this every week, but WWE continues to obliterate all their heels from Dolph to Miz to Mark Henry. Christian and Alberto stay out of the limelight as long as possible.
Show Breakdown
- I like the opening video package highlighting what Bryan has done on his reign and Orton’s injury, but I don’t get why Randy is referring to himself as “Venomess”, it sounds so scripted and corny. That’s what happens when you have writers and not natural talking points.
- A couple things to note right off the bat in the Sheamus promo. This is a minor detail, but I think WWE would be wise to change the wrestlers dialog from “I’m going to be in the main event of Wrestlemania” to “I’m going to be in one of the main events of Wrestlemania”. The fans know what the main event is, it takes away from a babyface character to say it the way they are depicted to say it. Also when Sheamus mentioned Bryan’s name for the first time, I question whether they piped in those boos since they were in Bryan’s home area.
- Dolph Ziggler - “We don’t want to spoil your little heartfelt moment, but do you really think anyone cares about your story”. Truer words have never been spoken. I did however like the part of the Sheamus promo where he said Bryan is like him from when he won his first title. A babyface who can admit their past sins is probably doing alot to help their cause with the fans. WWE probably thinks this is what they are doing with John Cena, but with him it’s more about self deprecation, which doesn’t come across as well.
- It’s a rant or an essay for another day, but WWE has been using the same format to make matches and the way they tell their stories for well past a decade now and you really have to question whether a format change is in order. I think Mike Johnson referenced this on audio as well, but the WWE format and style is very predictable and has been for a while. The reality is it’s not changing anytime soon, because WWE is the only game in town and Vince McMahon appears to be insulated from hearing the reality of what has product has become.
- Looking at it for what it was, fine overall segment with Teddy, Vickie, Dolph and Sheamus to setup Dolph and Sheamus as the first match of the night.
- “The White Noise” finishing move. I like the name, I don’t like the move. It seems about as impactful as the Lion Sault or Attitude Adjustment.
- Pretty solid match with Ziggler and Sheamus. I don’t mind Ziggler doing the job in this type of competitive match with the man going for the world title at Wrestlemania, but that being said why does WWE had to add insult to injury by having Swagger get involved and get destroyed too and Ziggler loses on top of that? I don’t know if Vince McMahon is just becoming a Teddy Bear in his old age or what, but he loves seeing all his heels get taken out show after show and that’s just bad storytelling.
- Did they just advertise David Otunga vs Great Khali for Raw? My goodness...
- I thought about fast forwarding the Santino-Slater match, but figured it would be short enough for me to sit through, I was wrong.
- I must repeat again how much I love the video package for Taker and Triple H with the different superstars talking about the match and they need to apply this strategy for alot more of their main events in the future. My one concern as they hype this match more and more is if the rest of the wrestlers will be forced to perform down a level whether through time or what they are permitted to do so Taker and Triple H can steal the show. I can easily see Hunter and Taker getting 30 minutes, while Jericho and Punk get 15 minutes.
- Once again I like the promotion for HBK’s return that’s almost as anticipated as Otunga vs Khali. I wonder if Otunga vs Khali will even take place once Vince does his rewrites on Monday. Maybe will get lucky.
- The Natalya farting gimmick turned babyface...only Vince McMahon.
- That backstage segment once again showed the lack of quality control and bad storytelling in WWE. Since when do the Bellas or Natalya care about Zack Ryder? The Bubble has no respect for their audience and are on a one way road with respect to where they want Eve to go so what they’ve done in the past with other characters just gets in the way and so they don’t even address it.
- The commentators spend the entire time discussing IBS and whether the entire Hart Family has it...Only Vince McMahon.
- No acknowledgement at all of the Ryder chant throughout the match as Vince McMahon gets caught up more in entertaining himself than telling the stories he has in place.
- Natalya loses again, at least she wasn’t squashed this time, but she could use a couple months off television to get away from this Creative Team.
- Quality promo exchange between Cody and the Big Show.
- Nice setup for the Cody and Big Show match. Very sad that Mark Henry is the setup man for Cody Rhodes now. Once again I say...Vince McMahon.
- At least the commentators tried to build Henry up as the serious threat he should be, but the damage continues to be down in the win/loss column. Of course in WWE they think they can make up for that with the written word.
- Big Show kicks out of the World’s Strongest Slam...poor Mark Henry. Recently we’ve heard guys like The Rock and Chris Jericho speak out about how guys today don’t understand the business are afraid now and it’s all about playing politics and I think there is alot of truth to that. When WWE told Steve Austin he was going to job to Brock Lesnar unadvertised on Raw, he took his ball and went home. I think the same thing applies here with Mark Henry when he is asked to job clean week after week to the likes of Sheamus and Show. I really wish these guys would just quit, I can’t blame them for not of course, because it’s their income, but man sometimes you really just want them to say No and explain to Vince why it’s bad booking. I don’t know, maybe these things go on in the back, but I just can’t fathom why they are doing the things they are doing sometimes with certain talents.
- Show knocks out Henry and then waits ten seconds before getting the pinfall...reminiscent of Triple H and Booker T at Wrestlemania 19...it’s a sad situation indeed.
- Good promo from Randy, thank god he avoided calling himself “Venomess” and I like that they are showing the replay of Bryan supposedly injuring Randy to put more heat on the Bryan character.
- Well I guess Drew is finally fired. I wonder if Laurinaitis will reinstate him next week.
- Were sure getting alot of Teddy on this show.
- I like the aspect of the Drew storyline in that he is getting fired, because he can’t win.
- Bending the Rules looks as weak as most other WWE action/comedy films.
- Outstanding video package recapping The Rock-John Cena feud. I also like that they left out Rock’s twitter/trending stuff.
- Outstanding video package followed by an outstanding promo by Bryan.
- Nice match with Bryan and Orton. The Orton-Kane feud is really forced, but it gives them something to do at Wrestlemania.
What this show accomplished?
The Good
•The video packages continue to by dynamite for The Rock-Cena and Triple H-Undertaker programs
•Efficient promo work. The promos tonight were solid and the writers did a nice job of giving everyone from Show to Cody to Vicky to Sheamus to Orton to Bryan great material to work with
•Good in ring action. Raw started with a hot promo and ended with a hot promo. Smackdown started with a good match and ended with a good match.
•I’ve ripped on the Drew storyline for weeks, but I should give it some acknowledgement for it being based on Drew not winning matches. Cole said after Drew was fired “Well he should have won some matches” – great line and gives values to wins and losses
The Bad
•Bryan and Sheamus. I’m not sure how I feel about their program. On the one hand it’s refreshing that they are being kept far apart, but on the other hand there is really no heat on the storyline. Both characters are being fleshed out well on the way to Wrestlemania though. Sheamus keeps winning and were now being told that Bryan is what he once was. Meanwhile Bryan keeps finding a way to keep the title and his ego continues to grow, but this match doesn’t seem to be getting the focus that the other three top main events of Wrestlemania are getting
•Natalya farting turns babyface and the commentators discuss IBS during her match with Eve...Vince McMahon
•The heels continue to get no protection. None of the mid card to upper card heels are being kept strong in WWE right now. It really shows a lack of foresight to be doing this, but the Mark Henry one is frustrating to a whole new level of idiocy. Wrestlemania season has been pretty good this year, but it is being it is being shadowed by some major flaws in the treatment of Dolph Ziggler, The Miz and especially Mark Henry
What the show needs to accomplish next week?
•I think Bryan needs to do something dastardly to Sheamus next week to really set Sheamus off. He seems a little too John Cena happy go lucky right now
•I think the same applies to Cody and Show. Cody is showing all this humiliating footage of Show, yet Show no sells it in John Cena fashion. I’m starting to sense a pattern here. Babyfaces acting like John Cena
•John Laurinaitis is running Smackdown and so the show should feel different. Kane vs Aksana is interesting as I’m sure Orton would be involved, but I don’t think the Aksana character should be involved in such a high profile storytelling. The character has not been developed at all and I don’t think the audience is invested in her as a babyface; I’m still not sure why she is considered a babyface, but still it makes sense from a storyline standpoint to further Orton-Kane and enrage Teddy further to take down Johnny
Feedback: revinsamuel@rogers.com
