WWE Smackdown 9/17/10 Review: Fright of Champions This Sunday

NOTE: I usually post WWE Superstar reviews on Fridays, but I have not had the time to write both reviews with school and being busy over the weekends. Sorry for the inconvenience.

*Peep Show with Christian and Alberto Del Rio

-While the feud with Rey Mysterio and Alberto del Rio is still one I would like to see when Mysterio returns down the road, the feud right now between Alberto and Christian is also turning out to be a great feud. Both of these men are great on the mic, and it is red hot with all the hype it is getting. It's always a pleasure to see the Peep Show return on Smackdown.

Although Christian teased a match at Night of Champions, I really hope they hold off until either the SyFy premiere to give people something to watch for or the Hell in a Cell paper-view. This is a great way to utilize Christian with a good feud rather than lackluster and boring matches with Rhodes and McIntyre every week.

1. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre def. WWE Tag Team Champions The Hart Dynasty (non-title)

-A decent match, but if these two teams are to have a rematch this Sunday (assuming they do), then the match at Night of Champions is where they will do better. The titles WILL be on the line as confirmed by Matt Striker,  but hopefully it will also include The Dudebusters and Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins as their matches on Superstars have shown why they belong in the title picture.

Good finish, and it sets up a good title rematch and a feud and a nice return for Hart Dynasty to Smackdown, even though they should have been there months ago. Also, the team with Rhodes and McIntyre isn't bad, but I thought Rhodes was supposed to be a breakout singles star, as was McIntyre? Rhodes has paid his dues in the tag division, but if they want to improve it, it isn't a total flop. I would like to see more of the other teams on Smackdown though.

2. Kofi Kingston def. Jack Swagger

-Match of the night, only because of some flaws with the Christian/Punk match that I will discuss later in the article. These two have great chemistry and could make a good feud, especially over the Intercontinental Title or World Championship possibly. It got good time, a good finish, and momentum for Kofi going into Night of Champions.

However, why would this want to make someone want to see NOC? Dolph didn't even make an appearance to further the feud, which he should have. Overall, great promo before the match and a stellar performance by Kingston and Swagger.

*Hornswoggle Goes Back to School

-I see this as only a way to get Hornswoggle on TV, but who is it trying to make laugh? The whole gimmick is aimed for kids, but unnecessary jokes like "Horny" and the devil pictures are aimed at teenagers/adults because they understand it? Hate me, but I liked it better with Swoggle in DX than this crap.

There was hope when he disappeared for three months of him being released, but they died with this pathetic return. Swoggle should just be used for selling merchandise or maybe even a reunion with Finlay, even if he has semi-retired.

3. Women's Champions Lay-Cool def. Kelly Kelly and Rosa Mendes

-The only good part of this match was that it was something different than the same singles and tag matches they have every week with the Smackdown Divas. But, the in-ring work for the match was terrible, especially Rosa. I was expecting her to do better with a return to the ring, but as I always do with the division, I was wrong.

The match was merely used as momentum for Lay-Cool for "their" match this Sunday at Night of Champions. And again: why would this want to make someone watch the Divas match at Night of Champions? Melina didn't even show up, which is worse seeing she wasn't on RAW either. Thank god the brake-up is finally here, but Layla will keep her title since she is the real champion. I'll mention that in my prediction list soon, but also Kaval should really disband from them if he wants to get ahead on Smackdown.

4. CM Punk def. Christian

-This match had the potential to be something special, but it was thrown away to a distracting finish, but is OK because it furthers the feud between Christian and Del Rio. Nearly the match of the night, and I would like to see a rematch on PPV and a little longer.

It gives Punk good momentum seeing he hasn't won in a while, despite the knockout punch afterwards. Christian and Punk have great chemistry and it would make for a great feud down the road, especially at Wrestlemania. However, I would have liked to see it hyped more seeing it was a first-time ever match up. Screwy finish, but still a great match and something everyone will be looking forward to in a rematch.

*Undertaker and Kane Brawl

-As far as brawling goes, this is the best beat-down I have seen in the feud, even in the WWE for a while in a feud like this. Undetaker has not taken a beat-down like this before, and Kane hit it right on the target when he said that Taker always returns only to defeat his opponent. He really sold the brawling, and it REALLY makes me want to see this feud continue this Sunday. This was the highlight of the show, and heres hopes that the feud continues strong this Sunday rather than something stupid like always.

Final Review: Great show, with two great matches and a good match (I'm not even going to count that horrific Divas match). Two great promos as well. This was one of the better shows Smackdown has put on in a while, and it makes me not want to think Smackdown as a chore.

It didn't really sell the Night of Champions Paper-view this Sunday besides the Kane and Taker promo, but as far as fans who don't usually buy paper-views, it was a great episode. I hope they continue with episodes like this for the next few weeks as they near their SyFy debut on October 1st.