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Adam J. Grammas of Westchester, Ill. (2.5): Best: Main event. Worst: Noble-Hornswaggle. A rare write in for me on Smackdown. The MVP/Hardy storyline is very similar to the Sting/Angle storyline in TNA in that you got face/heel tag champs and the heel is actually willing to help out the babyface. I'm actually very interested in seeing where both stories go. I am completely baffled by Chuck Palumbo's big pushes, going way back to WCW. I just don't see what he has, other than the straight-from-an-Extreme-video-hairdo. Hmm, you think maybe Kristal's "mama" is really another man? What is Vickie's purpose of being on the show? I mean, other than trying to keep her on the same side of the court room. As far as Taker goes, I haven't seen someone getting bigger pops for doing nothing since the heyday of Kevin Nash. I can't believe people complain about silly backstage skits and storylines in TNA when they have cheesy interactions between Jamie Noble and Hornswaggle. I mean, he couldn't get out of that box? And those pratfalls on the marbles were just a wee bit over the top. Jesse and Festus finally make it to the arena and I think it will be a similar situation to that of Elijah Burke and Sylvester Turkay in that the smaller go will get over and the big guy will disappear. Why do they trust Rey Rey to carry the main event on TV, but not on PPV? Oh yeah, because not even he could carry the dead weight that is Khali around the ring by himself.

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.0): Best: Rey vs. Chavo; MVP Lounge Worst: Kenny vs. Chuck (though it wasn't terrible) A solid episode of Smackdown tonight. MVP towed the line of face-heel very well as he solidly heel versus Matt Hardy, but borderline face siding with Hardy against Deuce. Of course, MVP can play with it as a sort of "couldn't get it done without me" guilt trip on Hardy, which adds another facet to their storyline. Also making a big deal about being three halves (half tag champ, half man/half amazing) is a bit of a backhand on himself hiding behind ego rubbing. I am having all kinds of fun watching the Noble-Moore-Hornswoggle storyline, an homage to the classic Road Runner-Wile E. Coyote cartoon series. Noble embracing his part is the key of its effectiveness. If there is a swerve afoot in the Kristal-Long wedding plans, it's been hiding very well. Being that is was that long ago, it's hard to say which I Quit match was better, but it does explain Chavo being off camera for a while. To properly sell it, though, he should be off for more than 30 days. And Rey provided an even more stark visual of Khali's vice grip. With Batista added to the mix, Khali's all but guaranteed to keep the belt as it's already being treated as a handicap match versus a world title match. And I do miss Ric Flair's presence as he could easily have fit in multiple places. Hopefully Flair and WWE iron out their situation.

Dan Wahlers - PWTorch VIP member (via VIP Forum): The Rey vs. Chavo main event was very good, I liked the way they played off the first "I Quit Match" with the finish of Rey smashing Chavo's knee this time. Definitely cringed at Chavo taking the unprotected chairshot to the head, but at least it was only one, and not four or five like Triple H gave Umaga on Raw. Would love to see them go down to zero unprotected chairshots. They used the chair a lot in the match, but both Rey and Chavo were well protected on most of the spots. Well put together, and well executed match. The video packages throughout the show highlighting the Rey-Chavo feud over the years, dating back to Rey facing Chavo in his first match in WWE back in July 2002 were a nice touch. Very effective visual at the end of the show with Great Khali squeezing Rey's head, and the blood coming out of Rey's mouth. That was more effective at getting a particular move, or storyline over than a hundred unprotected chairshots to the skull, and no one risked a concussion or brain damage in doing the spot. Khali's hands engulfed Rey's entire head. They've done a nice good job getting the "claw" hold over, and at least it's a move that Khali can do where he doesn't have to actual move. The MVP-Matt Hardy interaction was fun. MVP is so great right now, it's a shame he's on a show that most people don't watch. The Jamie Noble-Hornswoggle stuff was lame, although I did get a chuckle out of Noble sprinkling Lucky Charms on the floor to try and lure Hornswoggle into his "AKME" trap.

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