The One and Only Smackdown! July 31, 2002

[Guest Nevermortal]

Now THAT was a cruiser match.

[Guest The Superstar]

Awesome match, stiff hurracanrana.

 

PLEASE Rey, DON'T CONFORM TO THE WWE STYLE!

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Some good near falls in there.

 

But I hope I see a couple threads about how Misterio didn't sell the back...since I had to keep reading about RVD and the arm.

 

I mean...he does a dropkick...lands right on his back...jumps up and flips around the ropes?

 

That either killed the match for all those anti RVD/Benoit people...or they are just biased.

 

First Chavo then Tajiri...

 

Rey is already half way through the entire division.

[Guest Michael Joel Benoit]

Whoooo!!!! Awesome match!

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

That was, plain and simple, excellent.

 

If that's what they meant by "adding submission style wrestling to the product," then by all means, more, more, more. A good blend of spots, technical grappling, psychology, and two cruisers actually getting to use their unique skills. Very good opener.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

Some good near falls in there.

 

But I hope I see a couple threads about how Misterio didn't sell the back...since I had to keep reading about RVD and the arm.

 

I mean...he does a dropkick...lands right on his back...jumps up and flips around the ropes?

 

That either killed the match for all those anti RVD/Benoit people...or they are just biased.

 

First Chavo then Tajiri...

 

Rey is already half way through the entire division.

I think the dropkick was the only part he noticeably no-sold the back attack. Really liked the bow-and-arrow locks, and the "flop-right-over-like-yer-dead" sell after Tajiri picked him up. Even having him clutch at the small of his back was a lot better than we usually get. Missed Benoit/RVD so I don't know what people were complaining about, but Rey/Tajiri was well-done; not perfect psychology, but good.

[Guest Nevermortal]

Hey, it had enough psychology for a 6 minute TV match.

[Guest The Superstar]

ANGLE HERE TO SAVE THE SHOW!

[Guest CanadianChris]

Benoit worked the left arm mercilessly for the middle part of the match, then, when RVD made his comeback, you'd never know his arm was hurt at all. I noticed, and it took away from my enjoyment of the match a bit.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Don't get me wrong...I loved the match.

 

And I loved Benoit/RVD too.

 

But people were complaining that RVD didn't pause to hold his arm after landing on it with his rolling thunder.

 

Rey did the same thing here...and I just have to wonder if people will point to it.

[Guest Nevermortal]

Brock played Hungry Freakin' Hippos!

[Guest Nevermortal]

Oh man....Hogan is so....unfunny.

 

Nice to see he's stealing Jericho's catchphrase too.

[Guest LesnarLunatic]

F-5'd his BUTT!

 

this sucks

[Guest Nevermortal]

Why's Hogan's elbow purple?

[Guest Brian]

Well, just my two sense, but I haven't seen SmackDown yet (west coast) but the RVD thing was more than just the rolling thunder. It seems there was a lot less time in this match and just off the top of my head I can think of RVD springing to the top for the five-star. It was more noticeable than just a spot though.

[Guest LesnarLunatic]

It's good Stephanie!

[Guest Michael Joel Benoit]

Stephanie looks.....different.

[Guest Angle-plex]

God damn I feel bad for Angle.

 

So far I'd say Smackdown is better than RAW though.

[Guest Trivia247]

NOOOOO I MISSED THE CRUISERWEIGHT MATCH! Damn It!

[Guest LesnarLunatic]

i'm frightened.. will the Orange Goblin pin Brock and steal more of his momentum?

[Guest Trivia247]

All these little segments to face up Steph right?

[Guest Evolved Primate]

Bischoff and Steph should breed.

[Guest goodolemr]

Did Steph's breasts get smaller or something?

[Guest LesnarLunatic]

Bischoff and Stephanie getting married would twist this storyline more

[Guest Trivia247]

The lack of Slutty attire causes less attention to her breasts a we normally are accustom to.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

"Well, just my two sense, but I haven't seen SmackDown yet (west coast) but the RVD thing was more than just the rolling thunder. It seems there was a lot less time in this match and just off the top of my head I can think of RVD springing to the top for the five-star. It was more noticeable than just a spot though. "

 

I didn't see Rey favor his back more than once...and he had a whole lot of spring in his step after landing on his back.

 

It was essentially...the same exact thing...only that RVD sold the arm during the first half of the match better than Rey did his back.

 

But of course...no one will say that.

[Guest Angle-plex]

I could have done without that Bishoff/Steph segment.

[Guest Brian]

I'll watch the match.

 

Did RVD actually favor his arm at all?

[Guest Trivia247]

Brock vs Mark part 2

[Guest Angle-plex]

Shit! A ***** match coming our way!