Guest chirs3 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 --> Cole and Tazz... ugh... --> YES! YES! Edge dons the trenchcoat and sunglasses again! It is a good day! (read the next one) --> And that's the only good thing about Edge tonight! Don't get me wrong, he did good in his match with Angle... that's the problem. He was dominating Angle more than he should have. You wanna make Edge a main eventer, fine, I'm all for it, but that was a little much I thought. --> Wow, that crowd was dead for Kidman at the beginning, and cheering like hell at the end... but did anyone notice Cole saying "This has been a tremendous match!" in response to Tazz... when the match was maybe a minute old? --> Rico... sideburns AND a vicious heel kick... I smell a singles push. (joke) --> The Maven/Holly match was a good example of how Edge/Angle should have been done. Again, I have NO problem with Angle and Edge fueding, but Angle should have been the dominating force in the match, being a former world champ and holder of all major titles (barring Tag), and Edge being an accomplished midcarder. --> Tajiri cuts a better promo in Japanese than most of the guys who speak English. Speaking of promos, D-Von was pretty good too. (and of course, Edge/Angle was golden) --> That was a good main event. One of the better ones in recent weeks. --> Hogan and Trip? *takes deep breath and counts to 10* Linda better come out and say she has the power to name the number one contendor, because if they go with a one on one HHH/HHH match... well, then again, the WWF is out to make money, not please Chirs3. Overall Assessment: A step up from previous Smackdowns. There's work needed in a few areas (like... match length, maybe?) but there's definite improvement. EDITS --> They didn't call it "The World Wrestling Federation Cruserweight Championship", like they do the IC and Tag... just "The Cruiserweight Championship". Any reason? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shawn Report post Posted April 5, 2002 It was a pretty good show from what I caught. The only thing I was really against (as you noted) was Edge dominating the match. They push Edge down our throats and bury the real talant. Again I note my Anti-Edge-ism. I'm really happy about the LHW match. Not Tanjiri losing as mush as the thought of them actually doing somethign with the LHW division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I thought it was funny when Tajiri kept saying stuff in Japanese and the crowd kept chanting WHAT?! after he stopped each time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted April 5, 2002 --> And that's the only good thing about Edge tonight! Don't get me wrong, he did good in his match with Angle... that's the problem. He was dominating Angle more than he should have. You wanna make Edge a main eventer, fine, I'm all for it, but that was a little much I thought. I'm going to be "HappySault" right now and list the positives to that Edge has nice hair. Edge has nice teeth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest chirs3 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 You forgot "He looks cool in a trenchcoat and sunglasses". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted April 5, 2002 You forgot "He looks cool in a trenchcoat and sunglasses". No, he looks like some fag from Italy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest chirs3 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I hope to God people don't walk around dressed like that in Italy... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted April 5, 2002 That was also a hidden shot at Maurizizizio C. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bcu1979 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 As a stand alone show, I thought Smackdown was very entertaining. It was great to see Chris Jericho start to rebuild his character and his heat now that he's finally free of Stephanie McMahon. I was surprised to see how little verbal chemistry Jericho and Angle had together. But maybe that was because both of them were playing heels. The Rock's promo made no sense for his character. Rocky has always been a self-absorbed prick and the fans love him for it. Why would he step aside and let some guy who tried to kill him 6 weeks ago get a title shot? It just made Rock come across as Hogan's little buddy. The Rock/Jericho skit was top notch as usual. Jericho's bitter, egotistical character has always been a great foil for Rock. Another really good match from Rock/Jericho. I think these guys are in the Austin/Angle vein as I don't think they could have a bad match with each other. Interesting that Jericho can lose on television but every NWO match has to end with a disqualification. Regardless, it was nice to see Jericho portrayed as someone who can go toe-to-toe with the top guys for once. It's certainly a big step up from alternating between being Triple H's bitch and Stephanie's bitch the last 6 weeks. I didn't like the way Michael Cole talked about Rock getting the Jericho monkey off his back after the match though. If they take Rock in another direction for Backlash then that leaves Jericho with nothing for the next PPV. I thought the Angle/Edge match was solid. And I don't mind a Edge/Angle match at Backlash but Edge really needs to step up to the plate with this oppurtunity. He needs to cut some stronger, more serious promos if he wants to move up the ladder. They need to use the history between the two to build an intense feud. Instead, both are playing comedy characters. Why do they dislike each other again? I won't comment on the Triple H/Hogan interview since I changed the channel as soon as Hogan walked out in that ridiculous boa. I kept flipping the channels back and forth hoping the damn thing would end. Good to see Kidman back and at least the announcers tried to make the match seem important. Am I the only one who thinks maybe Kidman & Torrie are setting up Tajiri? It would be an interesting twist on the storyline. Albert turns....yawn. If they try to build up Albert as some big monster for Hogan, then I know it's time to turn the tv off and wait for some start-up to get a show. One small thing I found interesting was when Vince announced Hogan as the #1 contender. He claimed the match would be bigger than WrestleMania. It seemed like he was trying to claim that Hogan/Triple H will be bigger than Rock/Hogan, which is absurd even for Vince. Rock is a true mainstream movie star. Triple H is an overrated, politican with a bum leg. But what really bothered me about Smackdown was the slotting of all the wrestlers. They did the same exact thing on RAW. They claim it's a new start, but there's still the same basic hierarchy. Hogan is clearly the top star on Smackdown. Then there's Rock and Triple H. Angle, Jericho and maybe Edge are right beneath them. And everyone else is completely irrelevant. Lance Storm and Val Venis are still wrestling on Jakked even with a brand extention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheDames7 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I thought it was great.... I read spoilers saying that the cruiser match was about 10-13 minutes or so, so it may have been edited. I agree about Rock being Hogan's little buddy. When Al was talking to Maven, I wondered to myself "If they really picked Maven because he can cut a promo...how come he never says a word in these backstage segments?" I loved the fact that Christian...a heel, was given a clean win, but man are they burying that DDP. That is all. For now. Dames - Gets Clean Wins Everytime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted April 5, 2002 wellllllllllll i felt sick when the rock started going on about hogan deserving the tittle shot. talk about verbal blow jobs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted April 5, 2002 wellllllllllll i felt sick when the rock started going on about hogan deserving the tittle shot. talk about verbal blow jobs I know. Do they really need to make Rock look completely pathetic to get Hogan over even more? This is an instance in which being a backstage politician would be beneficial to everyone involved. It just kills The Rock's character to be Hogan's lackey like this. I'd pray for a heel turn, but it's pretty obvious that that spot's reserved for The Game-uh. And how brilliant will that be on his part? He knows he can't be the top face, so he'll take the top heel spot against a super-hot face and will likely be more over than at any other point in his career. Sweet sassy mollassy...he is that damn good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted April 5, 2002 seems to me hogans turning heel. vince being nice and giving a face the shot???? they want to make money off hogan as long as they can and having him stay fresh is the only way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I thought the show was really good. The interaction between Edge and Angle backstage was priceless. Angle sells that stuff so well. The match between the two of them went down well too. I am liking the beginning of this feud. Nice to see the writers mention the fact that Kurt and Edge used to be friends. I was glad that Albert finally turned heel. I hate Scotty Two Hotty. The what chants during the Tajiri promo floored me. I usually despise that damn chant (and was surprised that it was actually on Smackdown since Steve is not a part of that show) but this time it was hysterical. Nice match between him and Kidman too. I am starting to get into the concept of this Triple H and Hogan match being made. I was irate with it at first until I saw the promo work being done tonight. The match itself may not be spectacular, but the atmosphere around it should be. As an aside, I really hate marks. Triple H delivered one killer line during his promo (about runnin Hogan down) that I marked out for, and the crowd was silent. The moment he hits his catchphrase though, they go off and start cheering him again even though they had been booing him throughout the entire segment. The life of a puppet. The main event absolutely ruled. Jericho and Rock always seem to have killer matches. Wait a minute though. This could not have possibly been a main event. Jericho is a mid carder now and feuding with Matt Hardy right? Apologies for the sarcasm. Unlike one of the previous posters, I was actually glad that Edge came down rather then Hogan. I do not think that it would have made any sense for Hogan to run in, and Edge could use the exposure if they are going to continue to push him. Much better show then Raw was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted April 5, 2002 seems to me hogans turning heel. vince being nice and giving a face the shot???? they want to make money off hogan as long as they can and having him stay fresh is the only way. There's no money in a heel Hogan, because the fans no longer want to boo him. This is what's known as the Austin Principle, established in the year 2001. If you give the fans something that they're directly opposed to, they'll simply stop watching. Turning Hogan when's he's this over as a face would be an utterly ridiculous move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted April 5, 2002 seems to me hogans turning heel. vince being nice and giving a face the shot???? they want to make money off hogan as long as they can and having him stay fresh is the only way. There's no money in a heel Hogan, because the fans no longer want to boo him. This is what's known as the Austin Principle, established in the year 2001. If you give the fans something that they're directly opposed to, they'll simply stop watching. Turning Hogan when's he's this over as a face would be an utterly ridiculous move. true but they need a heel. rock can't turn heel for the reasons you gave for hogan AND because he's got a movie to promote. HHH seems to want to be a face and if he were to turn heel would want a long biuld up to it and HHH gets what HHH wants. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Big McLargeHuge Report post Posted April 5, 2002 smackdown? Good show. the quality of the shows is stepping up, in my eyes. I also hate marks. I can't believe Hogan is still getting this kind of reaction. But it got me thinking...maybe Hogan isn't that bad of a guy. If people do get what they deserve in the end, maybe Hogan is truly an angel and deserving of all this praise...Who am I kidding? The man is the devil and there is no justice in the world. Fuck Hulk Hogan! I spit on the red & yellow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted April 5, 2002 true but they need a heel. rock can't turn heel for the reasons you gave for hogan AND because he's got a movie to promote. HHH seems to want to be a face and if he were to turn heel would want a long biuld up to it and HHH gets what HHH wants. Ah, but there's the brilliance behind it all. Rock was still playing a face in his match with Hogan at 'Mania, for the most part, and he got total heel reaction. Triple H was even getting heel heat tonight during his portion of the promo. He has to know that if he were to turn heel completely, he'd be so much more over (and therefore have even more sway backstage). While he'll never be more than the number 3 face at best, he has a golden opportunity to become the absolute top heel in the company with this Hogan thing. If he's the brilliant politician we've been led to believe he is, there's no way he's going to pass this up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Risk Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I will now state the obvious. Hogan is old. Hogan should not wrestle. That is all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheDames7 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 HHH is best as a heel anyway....I say he does it and everyone wins in the long run. Dames - Is Best As a Tweener Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Special K Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I've said it before, but Hogan should have sticked with the Hollywood ensemble I really think the red and yellow is too dated and cheesy for more than a two match farewell thing. Look to WCW when he finally went bak to red and yellow BIG pop (for the WCW crowd) for about a week, then the fans just got sick of it. Also, I don't have a big problem with Angle feuding with Edge, it's just hard to stomach Edge controlling a match against him. Plus, Jericho's pretty much officially a joke again. Which is damn unfortunate. P.S., if Rock stays face, then this 'little buddy' routine with Hogan is going to be death to his character. Rock's face character is a jerk who kowtows to no one. Plus, can anyone say why on earth hogan would deserve a title shot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest notJames Report post Posted April 5, 2002 I agree with Kinetic on this one. HHH is all about being the top of the food chain. But even with the most prestigious prize in the blah blah blah, he's still playing third or fourth banana in the face roster. Turning heel, especially on the defacto #1 face (the red-and-yellow HHH) will definitely garner better reactions than his lukewarm performances as "intense good guy Hunter". Plus you know he's chomping at the bit to put "Killed Hogan" on his resume. And sure, turning him heel after all this time and effort to build his babyface aura would be ludicrous, but when has HHH ever done what's best for the company, continuity, or common sense? As for Tajiri, good for him. Cast Torrie aside and fire up the old mist. The rest of the show? I've forgotten it already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest chirs3 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 Jericho a joke? This show did nothing to hurt his credibility. Hell, he went toe to toe with The Rock on free TV, without cheating. He called the Rock a son of a bitch. He didn't have Stephanie. This is a great improvement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shaved Bear Report post Posted April 5, 2002 isnt it weird the week the product imoproves is also he week steph gets off TV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted April 5, 2002 must be a coincidence Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted April 5, 2002 We've still yet to get that elusive McMahon-free WWF telecast. I've got my fingers crossed for this Monday, though. Do you think Vince can resist the temptation? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest chirs3 Report post Posted April 5, 2002 Vince? Resist temptation? Who is his new assistant? Stacy who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted April 5, 2002 no no he can't if by some miracle he does shane'll be there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted April 5, 2002 Yes. This whole main event situation is begging for some Linda involvement, as well. If a WWF television show were to air without a McMahon involved, I've no doubt that the universe as we know it would cease to exist. Is there a tow-headed McMahon cousin to bolster ratings in this waning period? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Zero_Cool Report post Posted April 5, 2002 Now that would be one shitty storyline. Vince banging Edge's, or perhaps a Hardys' mom back in the day, making them McMahons. Scary.. *remembers this thankfully, is not an NBC soap opera* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
