WWE Smackdown Review - Friday 4th April 2008

Tonight was Smackdown’s chance to hit the ground running after Wrestlemania as they started their run to Backlash. After a very strong Raw I was looking forward to see wht Smackdown had to offer.

Good Points

Strong Opening

Edge’s crew started off the show in the ring with Edge and Chavo bemoaning the fact that they are no longer champions. Vickie Guerrero though helped the heel faction in to an upbeat mood as rematches for both titles were announced for Backlash but this wasn’t all as they announced a brother vs. brother / champion vs. champion match for the main event with Kane taking on the Undertaker. It was a great way to kick off a show.

Batista / HBK feud

It was predicted that these two were going to feud but how they built it on Smackdown was great. Shawn still trying to come to terms with retiring Ric Flair and making sense of the situation during an in ring promo was interrupted by Batista who went on to question Shawn’s motives. Batista got in to his head and got him doubting himself in a great piece of character interaction in the ring.

Great Main Event

The main event with Kane taking on Undertaker was the best Smackdown main event in some time. Great storytelling and some great back and forth moments as Edge and his cronies interfered to get the match thrown out. I can’t wait to see how they continue to develop this one.

Bad Points

MVP vs. Matt Hardy

After Matt’s return at Wrestlemania and his involvement on Raw Matt was on a big push with a ready made opponent in MVP to continue a great feud with. This could have been a great match for Backlash but instead the WWE creative team gave it away for free with no build up in a throw away match which Matt picked up the victory in killing it dead.

Handling of debutants

Smackdown saw two new faces appearing on Smackdown those being a yet to be named blonde Diva who attacked Michelle McCool and the Russian Vladimir Kozlov. With no build up Vladimir came out to no music and competed against a no name jobber. Ok the Blonde Diva segment I can kind of understand but if they are trying to make Vladimir in to some sort of unbeatable monster they are going the wrong way about it.

More time given to Jesse and Festus

Now WWE creative team I do want a return of Tag Team wrestling but if it means us having to watch Jesse and Festus every week I would rather not have any tag wrestling at all. I know I keep on harping on about Festus but I will continue to do so until the WWE creative team see sense.

Overall

Sloppiness on WWE’s part spoiled what was on the main a great show. To have two strong feuds Edge/Undertaker and HBK/Batista going on is turning Smackdown in to an entertaining show which you don’t want to miss an episode of.