By Jon Mezzera, Torch Specialist

This was a case where Smackdown was just ok. There were a few highs and a few lows, but so much of this show fell in between. It started off well and ended well, and while there were a few bad things in the middle, most of the rest of the show was uninspired, but not bad. Really, it was mostly a forgettable show.

SMACKDOWN HITS

Hardy vs. Jericho: As I said above, Smackdown did get off to a good start, a very good start with the opening match with Jeff Hardy taking on Chris Jericho. Hardy got in a solid pre-match promo, and the match itself really delivered. We've seen these two have good matches like this in the past so it is not surprising that they would do it again here. I was a bit surprised that this match was just thrown out on free tv at the start of the show with no advanced hype or announcement. However, I won't complain too much as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jericho is at the top of his game right now. He is delivering on the mic and in the ring at a very high level, perhaps the highest of his career. Hardy continues to shine in the ring as well.

Punk vs. Mysterio: This was what it needed to be, a good main event that helped to hype two big PPV matches. CM Punk and Rey Mysterio put in good performances on their way to a good match. They work very well together. It went 15 minutes and I would have loved to see more of it. I wouldn't mind seeing this match down the line again at a PPV for the World Title. Mysterio certainly could get that type of push and it will be interesting to find out whether or not Jeff Hardy is staying in WWE. If he leaves, Mysterio will probably get a bigger push into the World Title picture sooner rather than later. I don't mind the DQ finish in this case as you can't have either the World Champion or the Intercontinental Champion lose clean this close to Night of Champions. While I still don't like Dolph Ziggler's finisher, it was good to see him get more heat at the end of the show by hitting Mysterio with it twice.

SMACKDOWN MISSES

Use of Knox: Mike Knox showed potential when he feuded with Rey Mysterio on Raw once upon a time. He had a chance to break out as a top heel on Smackdown after the draft. However, after a few appearances he totally disappeared. I can't recall the last time he was on tv. He finally returned just to job to the Great Khali. That was a disappointment. Knox might not have a future in this business, but he has shown some skill in the ring and a quiet intensity in his few brief promos. I would like to see him at least given a chance to get a bit of a push instead of being used this way.

Punk's Challenge: This heel character for CM Punk isn't working that well. I like his attitude in terms of walking away from opponents like Hardy and Mysterio as they are taking a beating in the ring. However, I have problems with him being a heel for saying people shouldn't do drugs. "Don't smoke or do drugs!" BOOOO! His challenge promo to the WWE Universe was long and boring. It didn't get that much heat on him (as opposed to the eye injury angle which worked well to get the fans against him). This might sound to be a bit of a contradiction for saying the fans were booing him, but not enough. My point is that it is supposed to get him huge heel heat, and while it gave him some heel heat, it wasn't enough. Also, this feels like a promo for a new wrestler who has just debuted, not from the well established World Champion. I know they are reestablishing Punk as a heel, but it still felt weird to watch the World Champion preaching to the audience like Steven Richards from his Right to Censor days.

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

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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