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TUCKER'S INSTANT REACTION - WWE Smackdown 3/9: Solid show, but why isn't Smackdown clicking during Mania season?

Mar 9, 2012 - 10:18:04 PM
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Instant Reaction - WWE Smackdown 3/9
By Benjamin Tucker, PWTorch TV specialist

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Overall Score - 7.0

I thought tonight was a solid edition of Smackdown, but it still hasn't done nearly enough to sell me on the main Smackdown feuds of Kane vs. Orton and Sheamus vs. Bryan. We know the World Title match can be entertaining, but what's the issue between them? This WrestleMania feud is getting hyped about as much as an upper mid-card match at Summerslam. It's not necessarily bad hype, but it's lacking that special spark to really ignite the feud. I was hoping for their promos tonight to do just that, but while the segment was good, it wasn't spectacular.

As for Kane and Orton's feud, well... why are they fighting again? It reminds me of Peter Griffin and the Chicken on Family Guy. All they do is randomly beat each other up for little reason. That's exactly what's happening here! Is Kane ever going to say why he attacked Randy in the first place? At the very least, the Show vs. Rhodes feud has been progressing nicely. While I would still rather have Rhodes vs. Goldust, a match like this could really help Cody further his career.

The GM hype overshadowed much of the show, but it wasn't all bad. There was just a bit too much of it. Still, I have developed a small space in my heart for Big Johnny. His dry character is so hilarious that it actually makes me like him a LOT more than Teddy Long.

Match quality on this show was also solid, with a nice Mark Henry enhancement match (I guess somebody has healed), an entertaining six-man tag team match, a surprisingly fun steel cage opener, and a very athletic tag match with Prepico (my personal name for them) vs... ummm, Jimmy Boom? Little Boom? I'll think of some name for Kofi and Truth.

I must say, I'm elated that Drew McIntyre's storyline firing angle seems to have passed, for the most part. At the same time, a feud with Hornswoggle doesn't seem to be much better, but I'll wait and see what happens. And, that's how Smackdown went this week. I have to say, Smackdown at this time of year is normally clicking a lot better than it is this time around. The shows aren't bad, but the feuds just don't feel special. Maybe WWE thinks that Rock, Cena, Triple H, and Undertaker can support the whole show, but it still seems like an odd decision.

Any questions or comments? Follow me on Twitter at BTuckertorch, or e-mail me at btuckertorch@aol.com.


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