WWE Smackdown Review: 5 Things I Learned from Tonight's Episode (March 30)

The road to WrestleMania is done. Over. Finito. 

After tonight's episode of Friday Night Smackdown, it is officially time for the WWE's biggest pay-per-view of the year.

But before we get there, we do have just one more stop to make: A little Smackdown review from yours truly.

So, let's take a look at five things I learned from tonight's showing from the blue brand, the go-home to WrestleMania episode of Friday Night Smackdown.

5. The WWE's Video Production Team Is Incredible

OK, so we already know this, and I kinda talked about it in my Smackdown preview.

But since we didn't really learn much of anything new storyline-wise tonight, I thought I'd give a shout-out to a group of people that really deserve it: The WWE's video production team.

Seriously, these guys and gals are unbelievable. It absolutely amazes me at how much more they can make me want to see a match just by grabbing a bunch of videos/images and throwing them together to some great music.

That Undertaker vs. Triple H video package? One of the best in quite a while.

These people are incredibly talented and a very under-appreciated part of what the WWE does on a week-by-week basis. Props are in order to them.

4. Kofi Kingston Deserves a Big Post-WrestleMania Push

Kofi Kingston delivered yet another very good performance in the ring on tonight's Smackdown.

Fans (and people within WWE, apparently) will continue to knock Kingston for his lack of verbal skills all day (even though I don't think he's bad in that category), but he proves week-in and week-out that he is as reliable a performer as there is in the WWE.

Unfortunately for Kingston, he has been in pretty much the same spot on the card for most of the last four years and can't seem to break into the main event for good.

But he deserves to.

Kingston is an exceptional athlete who also has some great in-ring psychology, and as he proved during his match against Chris Jericho tonight, he should be doing big things in the WWE. 

Let's hope that happens at some point after WrestleMania 28.

3. I'm Really Sick of the Big Show

I have nothing personal against The Big Show and, in fact, have always been a fan of his.

But his baby-face routine is getting really stale, redundant and boring, and he consistently finds himself involved in high-profile feuds.

The WWE is supposed to be transitioning into a faze where it pushes new stars, but every time I think that's going to happen, there is Big Show running down to the ring with that big goofy grin on his face for a big match.

I understand that he's a reliable veteran, but he was in the main event spotlight for much of the last six months and now continues to get pushed over guys who should be in his spot.

Show cut a promo on wanting his WrestleMania moment tonight, but I don't think he's getting it this year. It's time to move on, WWE.

2. Zack Ryder's Career May Be Back on Track

Last week, Zack Ryder beat Jack Swagger on Smackdown. This week, it was Drew McIntyre who fell victim to the Rough Ryder.

I know what you're thinking: "So what? He beat two glorified jobbers."

Well, that may be kinda true, but just putting into perspective where Ryder was only a couple of weeks ago has me thinking that he may not be in the doghouse after all.

Ryder spent most of the early portion of 2011 being Kane's personal bi...um, jobber, and then, he lost to Daniel Bryan in like two minutes on Raw a couple of weeks ago. But now, he's gotten two straight victories and is going to be competing at his first WrestleMania.

I'm a fan of Ryder, so hopefully, his career is indeed back on track. He could be in line for a decent little push after WrestleMania.

1. WrestleMania 28 Is Going to Be One Hell of a Show

I knew going into Smackdown that WrestleMania was shaping up to be one of the best Manias in recent memory, but tonight's show only confirmed that for me.

We saw a number of video packages promoting the major WrestleMania matches, and the biggest pay-per-view of the year actually fits that bill. It really does have something for everybody.

There are three matches (Rock/Cena, HHH/Taker and Y2J/Punk) that could potentially rank as some of the best ever (and certainly some of the best in recent history), and then there's a match that should be solid for comedy (Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy), a very good World Heavyweight title bout and a couple of potential sleepers (Kane/Orton and Show/Rhodes).

I really hope I'm not getting my hopes up only to be let down once WrestleMania is over with, but after watching tonight's Smackdown, I can't helped but be jacked up for the possibility of one of the best WrestleManias ever.

Note: As part of the new WWE blog, I'll be asking all of the B/R wrestling readers for questions for a new mailbag that I will post on Fridays. It will be a slideshow featuring 10-20 questions and answers on a wide range of topics. You can submit questions either through Formspring or Twitter, and the best ones will be answered in the B/R mailbag.