-- 2/12 WWE Smackdown Reax

Justin James of Columbia, S.C., IT professional/author (7.0): Best Match: Rey Mysterio vs. C.M. Punk. Worst Match: Hardy/Khali vs. The Hart Dynasty. The show opened strong with an excellent match between Rey Mysterio and C.M. Punk. They put on a good match and C.M. Punk was absolutely brilliant in his role. The Straight Edge Society manages to get more interesting each week as the characters are more fully developed. The Mickie James vs. "Simply Flawless" match wasn't bad, but I would much rather have had more of the Beth Phoenix saga fleshed out. I would also like to see Phoenix start a program with Serena as a way of getting back at Punk for eliminating her from the Rumble. The Hardy & Khali vs. Hart Dynasty tag team match was a grade-A disaster. We've seen this match before, with Matt Hardy getting the roll up victory despite The Hart Dynasty's interference. Maybe we'll at least see a Maria-Natalya match next week, which would be a treat thanks to Natalya's in-ring skills. The fact that The Hart Dynasty is busy doing filler matches with Hardy and Khali while the Bret Hart situation is going on makes no sense to me. They are becoming the tag term version of Chavo. Batista delivered a brilliant promo without saying a word. I was anxious to have an explanation for his actions (especially walking out of the qualifying match), and by putting us off, it keeps me wanting more. If they stretch this out more than another week though, it will get stale. On paper, the main event should have been stellar - The Undertaker against Chris Jericho with Edge on commentary, in a no DQ match. Instead, it was a dull match, mostly with Jericho selling for Taker and trying to make him look good. Edge's commentary was very heelish for a guy they are trying to put over as a babyface. I half-expected Batista to interfere. I am not looking forwards to the Edge-Batista match next week. Edge still seems rusty and the two really don't have a program right now. Overall, C.M. Punk remains the #1 reason to watch WWE right now.

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.0): Best: Rey vs. Punk. Worst: Mickie vs. Layla/Michelle; Drew vs. Kane. This week was a good week for WWE. Not perfect, but good enough. Rey getting the win over Punk made him look good (solo), but Punk got his heat back for Monday's loss. Missing from commentary was how little a factor Gallows and Serena will be with the Elimination Chamber in play. Drew vs. Kane was an ugly match. Can someone please explain to me how it is that Teddy Long wouldn't counter-book the Divas handicap match, but had the time to address the issue of Batista's non-compliance? That said, Batista's "promo" was well done. The plug for Batista vs. Edge next week...not so much. Edge's promo and the Jericho-Undertaker match set the course for an Edge-Taker re-match. If Morrison's storyline loss is meant to be Shawn's gain, it's fraught with problems. Not the least of which is Michaels superkicking Long on Raw after Long refused to negotiate a trade. That should be worth a suspension through at least the PPV, but Long didn't seem to have any issues with (or sold any effects of) the event. And thus a corner appears for Michaels-Taker II. And shouldn't the Smackdown roster have first dibs on the open spot if Morrison is out for storyline? And who's to say it isn't Edge who gets the opening? There was a subtle tease for it, though it probably will stay a tease. And WWE is towing a weird line with Edge. He's currently a face-leaning tweener but there have been more moments suggesting a return to heel status. A face run would be better for him for a while to help fans cleanse their palates of the old heel Edge before making that switch.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "WWE Smackdown Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on SD, click here.

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