SmackDown! - March 10th Edition

[Mac Daddy]

SmackDown! – March 10, 2005



The show opens with The Cabinet. JBL, Orlando Jordan, and the Bashams are all in a good mood after Orlando Jordan beat John Cena for the U.S. title last week. Message to John “Bradshaw” Layfield: While I do believe the angles around your title reign have been stale and uninspiring these past couple of months, I never get tired of your promos and victory bashes. Keep up the good work and I hope you stick around after Wrestle Mania, sir. But I have to say, I realized something during that segment: Orlando Jordan has very little talent. I mean his ring work isn’t all that good and he can’t act to save his life. Even his imitating JBL’s toothy grin was lacking. I’m not going to say that he can’t improve on these points, but I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to be sorta painful and irritating these next couple of weeks and maybe months. Maybe Mr. Jindrak should have been in Jordan’s place after all. I thought JBL’s destruction of John Cena’s “title belt” was pretty good.

The first match of the night was Booker T vs. Heindenreich. You know, besides the whole poetry thing and ass-raping Michael Cole, I think I like the Heindenreich gimmick. I think the psycho monster angle was alright (though repetitive) and it was perfected with Paul Heyman as his manager. If only, John Heindenreich wasn’t Heindenreich. It only Matt Morgan was Heindenreich, the thing could have taken off. Instead, we get **** like this. The match was crappy as I expected and at this point, I wouldn’t blame Booker if retired and went back to Houston to his nice home and beautiful wife. I mean it’s not the WWE is ever gonna utilize him correctly. Why suffer, Booker?

They play the Randy Orton challenge promo again. I hate to beat a dead horse, but this again, is an example of the WWE’s taking undeveloped people and trying to turn them into major stars, when they aren’t ready. I hear Paul Heyman’s over in Ohio Valley Wrestling working with the wrestlers on their mic skills. Hell, if Randy Orton’s a main-eventer and the future of the business, why not have Paul E. Dangerously work with Orton first? Cause I mean Orton’s mic skills are sorely lacking. So afterwards, Carlito Caribbean Cool goes into Theodore Long’s office. I have to say, both Carlito and Theodore R. Long were on top of their game last night. Long seemed more natural and relaxed in his performance and Carlito was just Carlito … entertaining, charismatic – cool. Anyway, Teddy sends Carlito on a message to find the Undertaker and get his response to Randy Orton’s challenge. Cool (no pun intended); hopefully they won’t blow this angle like they did when The Coach was in Carlito’s place last year at WrestleMania XX.

Mark Jindrak vs. Luther Reigns is the next match. I tell you, it sucks the way the WWE has misused both of these guys so far. They could have been big by now. Instead, you have an average Velocity match that ends with a punch? What happened to the Mark of Excellence, WWE? Jesus.

The next segment sees John Cena arrive at the arena with a pipe in hand (ode joy). Cena gets in the ring and talks, which didn’t sound intense to me at all. Cena calls out the Cabinet (why not just hunt for them backstage upon arriving, Cena?) but instead gets the SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long. Theodore refuses to bring out the Cabinet (as if Bradshaw would have listened to Teddy’s commanding him to come to the ring and get his head bashed in?) because he doesn’t want to jeopardize the SmackDown main-event at WrestleMania. Cena then labels Theodore Long as a “part of the problem” and drives the GM into the mat with an FU. Pffft. I would say something now, but I’ll save it for later.

The next match is the Kurt Angle Invitational, which is billed as Kurt Angle’s first ladder match. BS, I say. Does anybody remember when Kurt faced Chris Benoit at Judgment Day 2001 in a ladder match with Angle’s gold medals suspended over the ring? (Correction: They didn't face in a Ladder Match itself, but rather a 2 out of 3 Falls Match. The third fall, however, had the ladder stipulation) Well, I do and I remembered it immediately after Angle said that. Too bad none of the bookers who are on the WWE’s payroll did. Anyway, Angle beats some hometown rookie in the ladder match. I do like the idea of Angle’s mission to do everything Shawn Michaels accomplished in his career in a month, but I would liked it even more had the WWE given Angle a competitive opponent. Next week, Angle faces HBK’s old tag partner Marty Jannetty, which should be interesting.

I like the idea of Big Show vs. Akebono at WrestleMania. It’s not like they have anything better for TBS anyway.

Carlito goes to the ring, unable to find the Undertaker backstage, to summon the Undertaker (respectfully, of course) and get the Dead Man’s response to Randy Orton’s challenge. I thought this was a nice way to cap Carlito’s search and I think even more of Mr. Cool. Anywho, the Undertaker answers Orton’s challenge telling him that he’ll do the same thing that 12 other jerkoffs did in the years prior, “rest in peace.” Very intense answer from the Undertaker, although I still think the whole Dead Man gimmick would be better if they paled his skin. I know a lot of people at this point would prefer Biker ‘Taker over a Dead Man that doesn’t sell, but I don’t think the Orton-Undertaker encounter at WrestleMania would have the same impact and aura as it does if the Undertaker were still riding motorcycles with a bandana around his head.

The main-event is JBL and Orlando Jordan vs. Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio for the Tag Team Championship. I would say that it would have made more sense for the Basham Brothers to get the title shots, seeing as how they’re a tag team, but they bore the hell out of me, so this was probably better. Decent match, I think, that ended in DQ after JBL hit Rey Mysterio in the knee with a steel chair as he swung around for the 619. Afterwards, the Cabinet began to beat down Eddie and Rey, but then comes “Stone Cold” John Cena to save the day. Cena hits every member of the Cabinet with the pipe he had earlier and gives Orlando Jordan his devastating (sarcasm, people) finisher, the FU. I was enjoying JBL and every one else until that ******* John Cena came in. I realized something on SmackDown: I hate John Cena (and I mean the character, of course. I hear he’s a decent guy in person). I know the WWE is dying for us to see the great “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in John Cena, but I’m blind to the parallel. I think John Cena is a piece of crap with his unoriginal and unfunny promos, his stale ring work, his sloppy finisher, and his stupid catchphrases – this guy is a joke! But believe or not, in about a month, he’s gonna be WWE Champion. Not Eddie Guerrero, not Booker T, not RVD, but John Cena is going to be WWE Champion. With his all his ****tiness, he’s gonna be the champ. I dread the post-WrestleMania era of SmackDown.

So as for a grade, I’d give SmackDown a 4.5/10, for John Cena and only having one good match.

[Peoples King]

Mac I am afraid that all you have to do is listen to Cena's crowd response to realise why the WWE are handing him the title. Bar Gurrero and Mysterio, no one else on the Smackdown! roster at the moment garners the same respone as Cena does. Dont worry, I have a feeling Van Dam may get the title come his return........... fingers crossed Maccy.

[Mac Daddy]

RVD getting a run with the WWE title might not be that far from reality, as I previously said. Afterall, the Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Booker T, and JBL could all be gone by the fall.

[Peoples King]

I dont know about JBL going. I think Vince will convince him to stick around a bit longer so that the WWE can establish some new main eventers...... Jesus, I never thought I'd ever hear myself saying that in relation to Bradshaw.

[D-Dogg]

Smackdown is sounding good to me. I'm enjoying this idea of Angle doig all that HBK has done, is it me or does anyone else expect a glass breakage next week? And no i'm not referring to Austin what i mean is one of HBK's first major actions which got him started was the Barber Shop Window routine with Marty Jannety as this symbolled the end of The Rockers and the start of HBK's single career. All i have to wonder is will HBK show up? I mean most chances HBK will be backstage due to Jannety being there he will want to see him back in the ring and such so with HBK already being there will the WWE use him?

I'm glad to see the original WWE U.S. Title back on the scene i was beginning to become sick of Cena's version. As for OJ being the Champ i am not too sure how he will work out he needs to put a heck of alot of effort to get him self over in the ring and character wise but at the same time he needs the WWE to book him properly.

I'm not sure about anyone else but to me there is no one more entertaining then Carlito Carribean Cool. When he first arrived i was peeved that WWE were going to push him to the moon with the US Title but after his injury Carlito really pushed his character especially after dropping Jesus as a partner. My only hope is that he has been working on his ring skills as much as possible as if i remember correctly although he wasn't lacking Carlito was deffinatley no Angle in the ring. But if he has improved i think now that Carlito has established his character maybe he would be ready for a second run at the title (maybe claiming he lost it unfairly due to his injury)

Well Undertaker has accepted Ortons challenge so as we all knew we will now see these two at WM. Funnily enough this match is probably the one thats got me most interested, not for the match quality or the build up as i don't expect either to be quite high but more for the idea of who will win? This is one match in a while where it hasn't been totally obvious from the WWE of who the winner is going to be and so i am intruiged. Shall wait to see how the creative will play this one out.

It seems Cena is now changing his character to the way it should of been from day one of his face turn unfortunatley WWE have picked bad timing 2 weeks before Cena is taking the belt and now you decide to completely re-draft his character ermmm can you say moronic? Ahhh well i guess i'll have to wait and see if WWE make me eat my words. One thing i am pushing for though is that WWE FORCE Cena to work on his ring skills i don't care about his tiny move-set of even how pathetic his signiture moves are (even though to improve both would only do good for him) But has anyone ever taken Cena through the correct stages of running a match? It's as if he hasn't got a clue, dominating a match and then letting your opponent get a few moves in only for you to make the finish is not entertaining in the slightest John.

Just off curiousity but how late are WWE planning on leaving it before signing the Eddie/Rey fued? we can sense tension with the Chavo segments but WM is only 2 weeks away and yet both men are still buddy buddy WWE needs to give us something on these two quick.

Speaking of Chavo whats with London gaining his shot on Velocity? The CW Title could be a major draw for WWE especially with a talent like London at the head of it and yet they continue to stick it on the second rate show. I am beginning to wonder if this match will even be at WM or on the Heat/Velocity before it.

Big Show/Akenbono. Meh doesn't do much for me but it's better then leaving the big man off the card.

Well thats all i need to say i would comment on Booker T and Heindenreich but basically i am sick of Heindenreich and do not feel like wasting my time on him. I do however want to comment on Booker T saying that the WWE have **** on him to an extent that isn't even justified from WWE standards i only hope they either give him a shot or he hangs up his boots for good before they can ruin him even more.

[Unknown]

My thoughts...

The opening promo while long (the WWE should seriously chop 5 mins off of these promos) was effective in bringing back the old US title and getting rid of the Cena one (while done pretty strangely). JBL can work the mic real well and to me is right behind Angle as the best talker on SD. Don't worry Mac he'll be around past WM. Don't everyone be shocked when I say this but I think JBL can...turn face by this time next year. If they do it properly and build it up right, he and Orlando can have a very entertaining feud with Orlando taking over JBL's character of today. As for Jordan, I've gotta disagree. It's not like the guy has had a real character on SD for a while now. I feel that he'll grow into the character and that with some work he can be JBL's perfect sidekick and if they build him up properly like they should, he could be JBL's perfect right hand man. Next to Flair and HHH this is the best duo in the WWE today (and will probably be the best when Jordan is built up properly as more of JBL's equal). As for his in ring skills, the guy is better than Cena in the ring so I wouldn't really say he's as bad as you're making him out to be Mac. All he needs is a couple of strong feuds with veterans to pull good matches out of him and maybe even some sort of a victory over Taker and he'll be SD's version of Orton 2004. I just see potential in the guy.

It's sad that they treat Booker like this. The guy has it all, mic skills, ring skills, and charisma. Why doesn't he get a push? I would say that they can have him feud with Jordan now that his little program with the Jolly Green Giant is over but I doubt the WWE will even give him any kind of a serious push or that they'll push Jordan's title reign as something important.

Long/Carlito continues to be entertaining. Carlito will go far in this business as long as he works at his in ring skills.

Chavo's interjection this week was kinda pointless as it did nothing to add tension or create a rift between Eddie and Rey. They should have followed last week's segment with something that would have begun to create a rift between the two. I would have had them go against the Bashams and drop the belts tonight. That way the cabinet would have all of the belts and an actual tag team would get them. Then I would have had them get a rematch next week and end up losing because Rey would unintentionally cost his team the match. After the match ended, Rey could help Eddie up and would start walking out of the ring but Eddie would run behind him and knock him off of the apron. I'd then have him slam him through his car (like he did to Tajiri). This would complete his heel turn and would give them two weeks to finish the build with some strong promo work. That's just how I'd build this into a feud that will not only get the fans to take Eddie seriously as a heel but would allow Rey to be built up leading up to WM as a more serious face and would make it seem like an epic encounter. This way, Rey wouldn't lose anything when Eddie would likely win the WM match and go onto feud with Cena. Rey could then probably feud with someone like Orlando.

I've gotta agree that this punch sucks as a finisher. I guess they think he's Regal or something. Luther Reigns showed so much potential when feuding with Taker that I thought that he was finally going to get a strong push on a show lacking midcarders. Leave it to the WWE to book a feud like this that will probably do nothing for either guy. I doubt the casual fan even cares about it and that's who they market their shows for right?

I like the way they're booking Cena now and feel that they should have been booking him like this all along. Just imagine what kind of a draw he'd be if they had. As for him FUing Long, I didn't like it not because he's a face but because it makes him look kinda childish and bratty for attacking Long who is over with the fans rather than him looking like a rebel for going after an authority figure the fans despise. Hopefully they don't turn Long heel and don't push them into some sort of rivalry. They need to book something next week that doesn't make Long look as if he's taking this lying down but at the same time don't make him try and make Cena's life a living hell. Cena in turn has to not really apologize but at the same time he can't act as if he was in the right in doing it. Very hard and complex to book so I don't expect the WWE to book it.

I'm going to miss Kurt Angle when he retires. Week after week he puts on the best segment on SD. The guy is just that good. I can't wait to see what they are going to do with Marty Jannetty next week. This right now is an early candidate for feud of the year. I wish the WWE could put this kind of effort and imagination into all of their feuds. If they did, their shows would be so much better.

That had to be the lamest way to accept a challenge. The entrance was longer than what he said. Hopefully this improves heading into WM. I know he needs to be Dead Man Taker but if he doesn't do more to put Orton over then the mystique of his streak ending won't be enough to get people excited for the match.

The tag title match was pretty decent. Why not have an actual tag team go for the titles though? Wouldn't the cabinet want the Bashams having the belts? The WWE's lack of common sense can be so frustrating at times. Just shows how little they care about the tag division. The DQ finish was unneeded in a match like this. They could have had Rey and Eddie win the match cleanly. I would have had Rey accidentially knock Eddie down in some way. I'd then have Cena come out and distract JBL which would have allowed Rey to pull Orlando out of the ring while Eddie began to come back to his feet and would steal the victory by a rollup. That way you could start creating a rift between Eddie and Rey while you'd still play up JBL being afraid of Cena. Then I would have had Cena walk to the back as Eddie and Rey ran up the ramp with their belts. JBL would then go to the outside and would start arguing with Orlando asking him where he was. Orlando would walk up the ramp fast not listening and when he tried to go backstage Cena would come out from the entrance (where he was hiding waiting for JBL and Jordan wouldn't of actually went backstage) and belt Jordan with the lead pipe. JBL would then have a shocked look on his face. Cena would chase JBL but JBL would hop the barricade and run through the crowd. Cena would continue to chase him and would catch up to him as he got into his limo. He would then break out his back window with the pipe but the limo would speed off before he could do more damage. Just how I would have done it.

SD was rather dull but I am looking forward to Cena/JBL more than HHH/Batista. They're doing a pretty good job building this match. 5/10 is what I'll give it. Too bad the cruisers got snubbed once again. Wonder if London/Chavo is even going to be on WM. I hope that SD brings Tajri over from Raw after WM because it seems that the division kinda died after he dropped the belt and went to Raw. Just hope these guys get a chance. Just give them whatever time you're gonna give to the divas and whatever time Heidenreich or Luther Reigns/Jindrak's program gets.

[legendaryken]

Say what you like about JBL, but even though he's had the title for 43 years, he always puts people over. Including tag matches, I bet his win/loss ratio is in the negative since he won the title and even when he wins, the other guy always comes out of the match looking better than when he went in. I don't think there's too many other champs or potential champs that would be happy with the sort of booking that he's had.(are you listening HHH?)
Big Show v Sumo guy does not inspire confidence, but I'm willing to give it a go.
Agreed that Carlito has been a great character and I hope he gets back to full fitness soon.
But, having said that, Smackdown was average at best this week.

[Mac Daddy]

My thoughts...

The opening promo while long (the WWE should seriously chop 5 mins off of these promos) was effective in bringing back the old US title and getting rid of the Cena one (while done pretty strangely). JBL can work the mic real well and to me is right behind Angle as the best talker on SD. Don't worry Mac he'll be around past WM. Don't everyone be shocked when I say this but I think JBL can...turn face by this time next year. If they do it properly and build it up right, he and Orlando can have a very entertaining feud with Orlando taking over JBL's character of today. As for Jordan, I've gotta disagree. It's not like the guy has had a real character on SD for a while now. I feel that he'll grow into the character and that with some work he can be JBL's perfect sidekick and if they build him up properly like they should, he could be JBL's perfect right hand man. Next to Flair and HHH this is the best duo in the WWE today (and will probably be the best when Jordan is built up properly as more of JBL's equal). As for his in ring skills, the guy is better than Cena in the ring so I wouldn't really say he's as bad as you're making him out to be Mac. All he needs is a couple of strong feuds with veterans to pull good matches out of him and maybe even some sort of a victory over Taker and he'll be SD's version of Orton 2004. I just see potential in the guy.




Unknown alot we think alike. I've been telling these guys for months that "John "Bradshaw" Layfield: Man of the People" could work. They don't have to wait until March 2006. They could start building this right after he loses the title and pull the trigger by the fall.

And then alot of times we don't ... As far as Orlando Jordan goes, to me, having talent can be different from having potential. As of this past Thursday's SmackDown, I didn't think OJ has much talent; that doesn't mean I don't think he has the potential or aptitude that's necessary to make it big. That's why I said, watching him these next couple of weeks or maybe months would be painful because I'd have to watch him rise above the talent-less level he's at now.

Even if Orlando Jordan was built as more of JBL's equal, I don't think the partnership of JBL and Orlando Jordan at all rises to the level of the Triple H-Ric Flair duo. While HHH and Flair could be much better, the caliber of talent and greatness there is way out of JBL and Jordan's league. But I can see where the comparison comes from.

Of course Orlando Jordan isn't worse than John Cena in the ring. There aren't many superstars on SD worse than Cena is; having said that, OJ still doesn't get the job quite done with me in the ring.

[Unknown]

I've got to agree about OJ as much as I don't want to. I can't really agree about him not having talent though because not everone can come in like say a Rock and play a character to perfection. Even Rock had trouble when he was getting started. I kinda see where you're coming from with the talent/potential comparison though. I do think that talent while for the most part is something naturally given to you that with some you have to realize your true potential and someone has to work with you before you can really show that you are talented. This is where my Rock comparison comes in and I am by no means saying that Orlando could even hold the Rock's jock. Rock was a guy who when he broke in didn't seem to have that much talent or that it factor. He just seemed like your generic superstar. When they tried to push him as a face the fans booed him. That in turn allowed them to try and go a different route with him and not only did he realize his true potential but he showed that he has a hell of a lot of talent. This is why I think that you've just got to give Orlando Jordan time. Only time will tell if they can use him in a way which unleashes his potential and brings out some talent that he probably didn't think he had. I do agree with you that it will be painful to watch him in his maturation process so to speak.

As for HHH/Flair, I agree with you. I would be kidding myself if I thought that the duo was in their league. I do think though that if booked right, they can make these two into something big on SD. That would in turn would make an eventual feud between the two very entertaining. It would be fun to see a changed JBL feuding with an Orlando Jordan who is basically what JBL is right now.

As for the in ring stuff, the WWE has proven that you don't need to be that talented in the ring to get over with their target fans. You do have to make up for that by being able to tell a story with your matches and not just go through a formula based match which I feel will kill Cena in the long run. I think that if they can teach Cena the art of that, then he will go far. Stone Cold is a perfect example of that (even though early in his career he was more known for his in ring skills then he was when he was a main eventer). He had adequate ring skills and no one could call him a Benoit in the ring but he was so good at telling a story that he hardly needed someone to carry him through a match. Maybe a feud with Kurt Angle followed by one with Eddie Guerrero will not only give Cena four star PPV matches but would allow him to take pointers from two great workers and improve. For his longevity, the WWE and Cena need to dedicate the time to work on that because formula matches will get you nowhere when you're WWE Champ.

[Mac Daddy]

I've got to agree about OJ as much as I don't want to. I can't really agree about him not having talent though because not everone can come in like say a Rock and play a character to perfection. Even Rock had trouble when he was getting started. I kinda see where you're coming from with the talent/potential comparison though. I do think that talent while for the most part is something naturally given to you that with some you have to realize your true potential and someone has to work with you before you can really show that you are talented. This is where my Rock comparison comes in and I am by no means saying that Orlando could even hold the Rock's jock. Rock was a guy who when he broke in didn't seem to have that much talent or that it factor. He just seemed like your generic superstar. When they tried to push him as a face the fans booed him. That in turn allowed them to try and go a different route with him and not only did he realize his true potential but he showed that he has a hell of a lot of talent. This is why I think that you've just got to give Orlando Jordan time. Only time will tell if they can use him in a way which unleashes his potential and brings out some talent that he probably didn't think he had. I do agree with you that it will be painful to watch him in his maturation process so to speak.



I think you've got The Rock's early career a little twisted there, Unknown. The reason why The Rock was able to get into the WWE by convincing Pat Patterson; hell, the reason why he was able to convince his father Rocky Johnson that he should allow his son to enter to the business, was because The Rock had talent. He may not have been the best ring technician around, but everyone who worked with The Rock at the earliest stages knew that the guy had what it took to make it.

As far as the failed face turn goes, the fans booed Rocky Maivia because he was too goody-goody, if you will. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was just starting to light a fire under things in the WWF, introducing a new kind of face. Austin didn't care what anyone thought; he only wanted to whoop ass. Rocky Maivia, on the other hand, smiled alot and just annoyed the fans. It wasn't because The Rock didn't have the talent to pull up off what they had assigned him to do.

[Cripplerlock]

Well, well, well. Interesting little Smackdown discussion we have going on here. The intereting part is there is actually a discussion on Smackdown. Let me run through this here.

The first big plus for Smackdown was getting rid of that ridiculous spin the wheel title. Ok that had to go, and now he have the old US title back. Now this brings us to OJ. Different viewpoints on this guy. While I may agree with MacDaddyto a degree his ring skills need much work(he had one decent match on Velocity before he joined the cabinet) I still think he has enough potential now to get a push. Yes he has much to work on but could end up being a good US champion with the right kind of help. As Unknown said, he needs some fueds with the veterans.

He is not the only one. Jindrak is nother young upcoming wrestler who go benefit from a good push. Unfortunatly he is not getting in in his current fued. Let me correct MacDaddy on one thing. The average velocity match is much better than this fued. I will guarantee the average fan doesn't care. This fued is horribly booked. What idiot decided to give Jindrak a punch as finisher. Back in the day, the punch suckded as a finisher and it sure as hell is not going to cut it now. I know Jindrak has better moves to use as a finisher. It might have made a little since if Jindrak was a brawler, but he is not. This is idiotic booking on the smackdown writers part.

I also have to agree with you guys on JBL. I am amazed(understand that is hard to do nowadays) on JBL's promo skills. JBL over the last year just rocketed himself to one of the best mic workers in wrestling. Now I am not putting him past Rock, HBK, and Angle, but he is up there.


The next match is the Kurt Angle Invitational, which is billed as Kurt Angle’s first ladder match. BS, I say. Does anybody remember when Kurt faced Chris Benoit at Judgment Day 2001 in a ladder match with Angle’s gold medals suspended over the ring? (Correction: They didn't face in a Ladder Match itself, but rather a 2 out of 3 Falls Match. The third fall, however, had the ladder stipulation) Well, I do and I remembered it immediately after Angle said that. Too bad none of the bookers who are on the WWE’s payroll did. Anyway, Angle beats some hometown rookie in the ladder match. I do like the idea of Angle’s mission to do everything Shawn Michaels accomplished in his career in a month, but I would liked it even more had the WWE given Angle a competitive opponent. Next week, Angle faces HBK’s old tag partner Marty Jannetty, which should be interesting.

C'mon, you know WWE does not expect us to remember that stuff. All I have to say is that was the crappiest ladder match I have ever seen. This is one time I really hope they try to make that match a figment of our imagination because this is one time I think they should keep it off the record book. "Officially" the match did not happen. Are we clear on that people? Good. Now, that we have that cleared up, that brings us to Jannetty. Ok for those of you who follow wrestling outside the WWE, where on earth did Janetty come from? I wasn't even sure he was still wrestling. Is he still in wrestling shape? I will admit I am really curious to see this match next week. I just hope it is not a squash.


Big Show/Akenbono. Meh doesn't do much for me but it's better then leaving the big man off the card.

Well that might be debatable. Look I am not saying Big Show does not deserve to be on the card. However, have you guys really thought about this. Actually, it is probably good that you haven't. We are talking about a Sumo match not a wrestling match. Now I know there is probably some Sumo expert hidden on WP somewhere that I may offend but somehow Big Show in Sumo match is not exactly what I would call entertaining. Granted, from a global business standpoint there could be a lot of fans overseas who want to see this match or at least Akenbono in Wrestlemania. WWE definitely needs to keep positive ties with Japan and other countries. However as far as the US goes and the people in the Staples Center, I think the lines for food and the restrooms are going to be longer during this match.

This brings us to the man of the debate: John Cena. I have to agree with Unknown this one, because he hit the nail on the head. When it comes to maineventers it is not always about talent. In fact knowing how to do moves has never been an important factor for anyone at the top of the WWE. Granted we have been lucky to have some technial wrestlers like Bret, HBK, Benoit, and Guererro as champions but that level of talent is not needed. Remember WWE's formuala. As you get pushed towards the top, your wrestling moves seem to diminish. Now there are exceptions like Hogan(never had any), Bret(great wrestler whether he is at the top middle or bottom) and HBK(I think he actually got better as he was pushed). I know at this point I have probably preached this over and over, but being at the top of the WWE is about putting people in those arena or sofa seats in front of the TV. As PK said just, listen to the reaction Cena gets. WWE would be stupid not to push Cena for the title at this point. This is a business, you don't waste opportunities like this especially for the Smackdown brand. Now there is a one very important component of ring work Cena has to work on and it is as Unknown described-the ability to tell a story in the ring. That is very important and extremely important to have a good Wrestlemania main event match. Cena and his Raw counterpart, Batista are going to have to learn how to pace a match. The good thing is this is one area their opponents are good in, especially Triple H. Also Austin is a perfect example of a brawler with excellent ring pyschology skills. However, don't be too hard on Cena and Batista on their ring psychology skills. That comes with experience, but you have to start some time. Just understand, Cena's popularity is the main reason he is getting pushed. That will is the most important factor because you can be an excellent wrestler but if you can't attract attention you are no good as a maineventer for the WWE. It sounds cold but it is reality.

[Unknown]

Mac, I didn't really say that the Rock didn't have the talent. I said that in the role he was playing any regular fan wouldn't have thought that the guy had the talent. If they would have made him play that role for say a couple of years I know that we wouldn't have thought that he was as talented as we know he is now until something changed. That's the only reason that I used the Rock in this discussion. In Orlando's case, he wasn't the type of guy who grew up around the business like the Rock did so he might be a late bloomer of sorts. Not everyone knew as much about him as they did about the Rock. Being that the Rock was around the business like that people had more confidence in him and knew more about him than they they do about Orlando. At the same time though there are some fans who didn't know that much about the Rock so to those who probably didn't he was probably just your generic superstar. I think that when the Orlando begins to play this role properly or another role properly that he will show that he has talent. If not, then maybe you can say I told you so. :pipe:

Cripplerlock, as usual adding intellect into a discussion that very few on this forum do. I didn't even bother to comment on the Akebono match because I personally find it stupid. Like you said, he does deserve a match at WM but why not have him go against Orlando or some other heel on SD? As a fan of workrate, I will find myself taking a bathroom break right around this time because the idea of a sumo match at WM to be blunt sucks. If anything the time they're using to build a match that will excite few can be better used building Chavo/London for WM. Maybe it can be used actually jumpstarting this Rey/Eddie feud (what are they waiting for?).

BTW, has anyone else noticed that Raw is in full WM push mode with every segment relating to WM while SD seems to push stuff that has nothing to do with the PPV (Luther Reigns/Jindrak and Booker/Heidenreich). I know they want Raw to be the superior brand (why not just have both brands on equal playing field) but they can atleast make SD a respectable show. That has been the biggest downfall of the roster split IMO. Instead of making both shows great when they have all of the tools to, they continue to show that they would rather have one be better than the other for some strange reason. Other than that, the questionable booking of the undercard of each show along with PPV booking would top the list of the downfalls of the roster split. Maybe they do need some serious competition because it seems that it's the only way that they'll put forth a concerted effort towards making SD half as good as Raw, pushing the undercard and titles below the big two as important, and making their PPVs not named WM worth the price tag. It's so sad that they can make their shows so much better but choose not to.