By Jon Mezzera, Torch Specialist

SMACKDOWN HITS

Hot Start: This was a totally different way to start Smackdown, and while I can't say I loved it, I can say I liked it. The problem with the start is that it is totally unbelievable that WWE would start the show with Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy, and that they would join Triple H's entrance in the middle. If you look past those two flaws, it was a hot start to the show. Starting with two wrestlers fighting each other is a good way to grab attention from the audience right from the start. I always think the show should start with a match. This at the very least wasn't a long talking segment. Everyone played their parts well. The brawl itself was intense. Triple H and Hardy have been doing a very nice job as of late in playing up how much they hate each other. Vickie Guerrero's fall was fun also, as was Chavo Guerrero's attempt not to laugh at her. This was a good way to start the show.

Kendrick vs. Primo: I really enjoyed this 7 minute match. The crowd seemed into it as well. The Brian Kendrick and Primo Colon worked hard and put on a good match with plenty of high energy offense. The use of Ezekiel Jackson and Carlito at ring side was well done too. I had forgotten about this budding feud from a few weeks back, and it was good to see WWE go back to it. This can definitely be a fun feud to watch. Their backstage segment with the Bellas earlier in the show was strong also.

Cutting Edge: This was a very nice talking segment. Edge was great on the mic in defending himself against the accusations that he attacked Jeff Hardy in the stairwell, and in putting the blame on Triple H. Matt Hardy has improved on the mic, but it was clear that he isn't the match for Edge. But, he still held up his end of the bargain fairly well. This was a well written exchange that played perfectly into the history between these two. Am I the only one who suspects that is was actually Matt who attacked his brother? I think Edge's words about nobody caring about Matt, and only caring about Jeff seemed to hit a little too close to home for Hardy. As Hurricane Helms would say, "I'm just sayin'" The segment built to a satisfying conclusion as Hardy attacked Edge, only to be attacked by Vladimir Kozlov.

Triple H vs. Hardy: This was a good main event for Smackdown. The match went about 16 minutes and featured plenty of intense and hard hitting offense. As I said above, these two seem to hate each other. The intensity of the match was apparent. It went back and forth and neither had the advantage for too long a period of time. You knew the match couldn't end without a run in from Edge, so the non-finish didn't hurt the quality too much. Plus, this match really wasn't about a win or a loss. This match was about these two wrestlers trying to hurt each other. From that standpoint, it was a successful effort by Hardy and Triple H.

In Ring Action: In addition to the two matches that I listed above, all the matches (with one exception) on Smackdown were solid to good. The first was Montel Vontavious Porter vs. R-Truth. This was a short match, but it was good while it lasted. It did a nice job of continuing the MVP losing streak angle. MVP looked more motivated in the match than he has lately, so hopefully that is a sign that this storyline is going somewhere positive for him. Hurricane Helms vs. Shelton Benjamin was a good 5 minute match. It got a bit sloppy at the end with the flying cross body block, but other than that it was well performed. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a feud between those two, especially as Helms continues to shake off the ring rust. I am not a big fan of the Bellas. I don't think they are very strong in the ring. I don't think either would have a job without the other. But, their tag match with Natalya and Maryse was better than expected. It wasn't good, but it was good enough to not get a Miss, which is a positive when you consider that I was fully expecting the match to land itself in the Miss column. Plus, it gave Tazz a chance to match Matt Striker's line from ECW about eating worms when he commented after a very high flying move from one of the Bella sisters that she must have been watching some of his old tapes. That was a very funny line.

SMACKDOWN MISSES

Vampire Guy: I don't know what else to call this guy. I am reserving judgment on the gimmick and the wrestler until we've seen more of the gimmick and we've seen him in the ring. Occult type characters can work, but they can also bomb. My problem then is the way he is being introduced. He somehow tapped into the WWE feed to play his video. That is a bit too unbelievable. My other problem is that nobody commented on it. We are watching it interrupt Smackdown, but the announcers didn't seem to notice. It was all too cheesy. Hopefully though, it will lead to something good for a new Superstar.

The Great Khali: I don't understand why the sheep in the WWE Universe are cheering this guy. He sucks. He has always sucked. He always will suck. The Khali Kiss Cams are not funny. They are disrespectful to women. He still can't wrestle. Watching him squash Hawkins & Ryder wasn't enjoyable. I wish he would go away.

Jon Mezzera is PWTorch.com's Hits & Misses Specialist, providing his point of view for Raw, Smackdown, ECW, and TNA Impact each week. Email him at jmezz-torch@sbcglobal.net.

For another view from the original Hitlist author, compare For another view from the original Hitlist author, compare Jason Powell's views to mine by visiting prowrestling.NET's "Hitlist" section here.

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