“Thanksgiving Throw-down”:
WWE Smackdown 11/26/15
This show tonight exuded entertainment, and in light of the holiday; it was predicable to see some sort of a turkey/holiday segment to pep up the crowd. And in being nitpicky, the Gobble Gooker was an old rehash of an earlier Survivor Series. It was a different time then, geared towards families, kids and wholesome TV. Does PG mean let’s go back to virtually Sesame Street? Do we feel like “turkey’s” for subjecting ourselves to watch some of the out-dated and hokey segments?
Furthermore, on the “Nuclear Heat” Podcast (I’ll let you Google it, and find out who said it) discussed about ratings being at an all-time low, and a record low. This is indicative and “carrying” over to Smackdown, which is on the filler-shabby side re: creative and not being must-see TV.
^Opening segment: Roman Reigns & then segue to Sheamus, with promos, exacting revenge and quest for the belt. Build up for the December TLC pay Per View.
As for the matches:
The Dudley Boyz beat the Wyatt Family Members, Braun Stroman and Erick Rowan.
In my view, this was little variety, little thought “rehash” of Monday Night Raw. We saw Bray and Harper defeat the Dudley’s this past Monday. Why not have a rematch and have a “specialty” table’s match, or tornado tag to add some influx, some creativity for this match. Something to make people STOP and watch Smackdown, something different, something for a ratings pop. I mean, who really “went over” in this match tonight? Instead, the Dudley’s “simply won” by DQ and their momentum is lukewarm at this point since their return and newness has worn off a bit.
Ok, Monday night, the Wyatt’s are back to their winning ways, and perhaps starting a streak. But tonight, is a DQ? Where is the consistency for both teams? How do these results from tonight or Monday even, help solidify either tandem as a threat to the belts? In my view, it was smart to lay out the Dudley’s again, but it should’ve been say a sneak attack or a “jump-start” to the match in getting the Dudley’s off their game. If it’s a feud, and something is smoldering beneath the surfaces regarding this feud; why have “just” a wrestling match? What happened to anarchy and chaos, as opposed to a traditional “just” wrestling match?
Are we to believe they (either team) can get a run for the belts? Or is the purpose to protect the New Day and virtually hold and hand over the belts to the Uso’s; once that feud starts officially?
Paige defeated Becky Lynch
The match ended with a clean finish. In my opinion, I think the wild-child ways where Paige flipped on Charlotte, should’ve been repeated again to Becky Lynch; with a post-match promo. What better way to send another message, and this time to all other divas in Paige’s way? It would be translated like: “This is what will happen to you, because this is “MY HOUSE” now. If I can do this to Charlotte and Becky, my friends; what’s going to happen to someone I hate”?
We’ve seen Paige attack both Lynch and Charlotte; and yet Paige does not win the belt in either match. However, how effective is the response, the receipt of Charlotte? We’ve seen Charlotte in the hurt and sympathetic portions of her persona, getting bested by her adversary. How does Charlotte amp up the competitive level? How can she recover from those attacks, and still stay as a strong champion- as opposed to winning by a technicality, etc? Personally, I’d like to see Charlotte bring her game up a bit more; and look stronger in matches, especially as champion.
• Thanksgiving Dinner Segment: I saw it as funny, yes; but its filler and a way to play off the holiday. Turkey’s and hokey natures have been done and finished since the late 80’s, and should’ve ended in 1993, in my opinion. How did this make new credible stories, or superstars? Mid-carders and afterthoughts are only seen in a segment, and are “just there” on TV?
Jack Swagger defeats Alberto Del Rio, by Disqualification.
Again, another DQ in order to not hurt Del Rio as a legit champion with a meaningless loss. That, I agree with- protect your titles and champions. However, on the flip side, making a DQ is correct only for short term, and for cheap heat. Otherwise, it shows a lack of thought, a lack of originality creatively, and for a finish. If say, Swagger attacked Del Rio after the bell, or got into a backstage fight; it shows more gusto as opposed to “aw shucks, I lost, and I really didn’t beat him.” If this is the next feud, and we have to suspend disbelief, and buy into Swagger- a DQ really doesn’t sway us. Swagger hasn’t been on TV as much, and he is just thrust upon because Del Rio needs a new challenger. Additionally, the roster is injury riddled. The problem is, since Del Rio returned, he has not been put in matches, battles or with opponents who can match him, or make it look like it’s a run for Alberto’s money.
If we are to see this match on TLC, a pay-per-view in three weeks; how is Swagger positioned as a credible challenger? How can we buy into him? He just came back on TV virtually two weeks ago, and unannounced. It felt and came across like he was just there, and sent in; as opposed to a spontaneous surprise to see Swagger.
Lucha Dragons defeated New Day Members: Big E and Kofi Kingston:
In a non-title match, yes, it’s sensible to give the lion’s share of the losing, to a team that does virtually job and put other guys over. Lucha Dragons were great and on momentum in NXT. They were also put in a position where they were believable, and contenders; champions at one point if I recall. Yet, on the main roster; they are the “good match” guys, and make the crowds pop, and that’s it. Glass ceiling, and there is no real consistency in their wins, structure, etc is given. They are great wrestlers, but not characters or personas. The language barrier and the fact they wear masks, camouflages the drama, the expressions and the like.
Kalisto pulls a so-called upset over Ryback two weeks ago, and then is back to his winning ways. Sin Cara is a tag-along, and not much is given to him regarding a singles run, or credibility. He’ll have matches and “just” wrestle; but what momentum or story, or angle is given to Cara and or Kalisto?
Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze:
The main event of the evening is triple threat match. This bout is to create the number one contender for Kevin Owens’s Intercontinental Title. This match was the best match on the card, and the most meaningful. Dean Ambrose wins the match and the right to the IC title. However, I hope it is not a “consolation prize” to NOT winning the WHC title versus Roman at the PPV. Is this a way to placate Ambrose as being a “mid-card” guy who gets the flash, the pop and a belt, even in the interim? Ambrose and Owens are not being used enough to their fullest potential, and especially with injuries and sabbaticals to guys on the upper mid-card, and main-eventers.
Furthermore, with Breeze and Ziggler should be a new continuation of their feud, and not just a one-off at SS. How do you build both of these good talents? Ziggler should be more positions for the US title with Del Rio in the interim; while Breeze can do something separate (after the Ziggler feud) but still stay strong.
After the Ziggler feud; where do you go with Breeze? I say, given the gimmick; team him up with the Miz and give Miz a new wrinkle- and then they can fight over the best selfies, faces and more importantly, Summer Rae. It’s a Rick “the Model” Martel and Shawn Michaels 1992 revisited feud, and with interesting charisma and a new flair to the angle.
To make it even more intriguing, perhaps Fandango (prior history with Summer Rae) or someone new can interject themselves as a love lorn interest from afar? If you use the love lorn angle, I would implement Damien Sandow to chase Summer. Now, Summer is “torn” between two or three other people; and it’s an angle, something else to watch and see besides “just wrestling” matches.
Lastly, in closing these segments and matches was a part of the November 26th edition of Smackdown. Hopefully as they move to live TV, they will also have less filler to make segments and make Smackdown exciting again. The title tourney is over, and so is the fallout from the Survivor Series pay per view.
Food for thought: Remember when Smackdown in 2002-2005 was actually the better show, as opposed to RAW? Wondering if those formulas and this group of talent can bring that element of Smackdown back? Remember when Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman were general managers of Smackdown, and made this show better? Just stopping to think….
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