WWE SmackDown Analysis: No Title Changes, but an Entertaining Show

The first SmackDown of the year aired last night, and I must say I was mightily impressed. They had a brilliant card with some excellent talent and managed to feature some superstars who do not usually get mainstream exposure such as Ted DiBiase.

I come from money, but I get none, ‘cos in the ring, I can’t get it done.

The Intercontinental title match was first which I actually thought was a bit of a mistake. I would have had it preceding the World Heavyweight title match but I am a firm believer of ordering the card in terms of excitement.

Booker T challenged Cody Rhodes for the coveted Intercontinental championship and showed the crowd and the people at home that he could be used for a lot more than just a short feud with Cody Rhodes.

The man is in excellent shape for his age and didn’t show much sign of ring rust in the opening contest. The match itself had all the ingredients of a classic.

The story was executed perfectly through each move and I was actually on the edge of my seat when Booker hit his finisher and looked set to be the new Intercontinental champion.

Despite the fact that that result would not make any sense, I think many were hoping for a Booker T win.

It would be an exciting result and it would mean we get to see more of the five six-time World Champion in the ring, but it would mean Cody would have lost the title that is taking him to the top and a little bit of momentum as he is beginning to storm through the legends of the game. Is Goldust next? We can only hope.  

Shattered face, shattered dreams.

The tag team match reminded me of days gone by as they put on a brilliant show that brought back memories of when the tag team division was relevant.

As I mentioned in a recent article, as long as the WWE continue to develop tag-team talent in this manner then, it should be no trouble making it relevant once more. Although, I still believe they need to get rid of the shiny penny belts.

Epico and Primo are an excellent team, as are Air Boom. WWE should either put more random superstars together or sign some already established teams such as The Briscoe Brothers.

Why does Matt Striker insist on saying World’s Heavyweight Championship?

The World Heavyweight title match stole the show. This was the only result that had been spoiled for me before I watched it last night and I imagined the disqualification would make Daniel Bryan look weak. I was wrong.

It was a good way to get Big Show and Mark Henry away from the title picture as they can now feud again because of Mark Henry costing the Big Show the World Heavyweight Championship not once, but twice.

Again, I thought the match was worked well as it didn’t look too promising on paper, but Daniel Bryan is one of the best wrestlers in the world, so I guess I should have had more faith.

Mark Henry was really surprising last night as I thought his commentary was brilliant. It was just how a heel should sound yet he gave Daniel Bryan and Big Show respect, meaning that if/when he does beat them, it makes him look stronger as he hasn’t bashed them, saying how rubbish they are.

It was a joy hearing him put Michael Cole in his place and it was brilliant watching Henry interact with the crowd as he walked to the table.

I am becoming a big fan of Mark Henry.