WWE Smackdown DVR Review: Orton/Rhodes Steal a Much-Improved Show

Weekends are not a good time to catch up on television shows recorded on DVR.  Between family time, work (for some of us) and college football (and we Alabama fans should feel sheepish for the way we used to complain about Leigh Tiffin), watching Smackdown has been like a bout with diarrhea—start watching, have to go, watch a few more minutes, have to go, etc. 

Finally, normality has come back to the Steele household (The Rock (TM)), allowing a few moments to say that this week's episode was vastly improved over the last few weeks.

Good Stuff

Randy Orton versus Cody Rhodes. First, Randy Orton didn't talk, which is a good thing.  Actually, it isn't a good thing, as he should have been able to cut a good promo long ago.  It is a testament to his wrestling ability that he has come so far despite his monotonous microphone history.  Regardless, the show-opening street fight between Orton and the Intercontinental Champion was almost a PPV quality match, complete with the top of Orton's head being split open.

I wish they would have let Rhodes pick up a win.  The WWE diminishes their minor titles by having the champions lose in non-title matches so much (for that matter, TNA does the same).  However, Cody looked strong in defeat, and judging by Orton's display of Rhodes's broken face mask, perhaps we are close to the end of Cody's Phantom of the Opera gimmick.

Michael Cole, Booker T, and even Josh Matthews.  Cole and Booker are hilarious, with Cole calling out Booker's flip-flops, and Booker saying "I'm just tellin' it like it is!"  Also, was it just me or did Josh Matthews get in a line or two of smack with Booker as well?  Josh uses the forced gravelly voice too much, but the smack talk was a welcome surprise.

Finally, not relying on talent from Raw.  My goodness, it's Ted DiBiase and Tyson Kidd!  And Sin Cara and whoever that guy was he wrestled!  They're alive!!  I know they never went away, but some of us don't have time to watch Superstars or NXT every week.  They didn't get a lot of camera time, but at least they were on the show.  That said, they all have a lot of work to do. 

The fans don't seem to be into Sin Cara, which is a shame since the once--great luchadores are barely a blip on the WWE's radar.  Perhaps if they give Sin Cara, Hunico and that other guy some time to showcase some moves, things will change. 

Daniel Bryan shows some life.  After losing to everyone other than divas and Muppets since winning Money In the Bank, Daniel Bryan finally showed some life the last couple weeks.  We know the guy can wrestle—he was a Ring of Honor world champion.  I'm sure there's a personality in there somewhere, too, though it's been hidden better than Kevin Nash's true hair color.  Unless Bryan can make inroads with the fans soon, I would be surprised if the WWE drags out his Money In the Bank storyline until WrestleMania.

A Potential Sheamus/Wade Barrett feud.  Though his recent old-school, pre-recorded promos have been mostly lame (will someone please stop the "Barrett Barrage" stuff?), Wade Barrett is fun to watch in the ring.  The fight between him and Sheamus backstage was as good as their actual match.

Christian was, well, typical Christian. He did a good bit in the ring with Big Show and hilariously sold the choke slam for an eternity before interfering to help Barrett get the win over Sheamus.  Christian is close to becoming the most underused top-tier talent in WWE.  Perhaps a permanent move to Raw would help, as Christian should be prominent on TV and on the mic every week.

The Stuff That Stunk

The Big Show Crotch-Cam.  Do we really need a camera shot of the World's Largest Athletic Supporter whenever we see him walking backstage?  Please raise the camera—we don't need to see the one-footer to understand that Show is a seven-footer.

Mamma Said Knock You Out?  Really?  Where was The Miz to rip on Big Show's dated music reference when we needed him?  Come on, Paul: much of the audience isn't as old as we are.  Show can be a funny guy, but he is best on the mic when he has someone to play off of, as was proven by the bits with Christian and Daniel Bryan.  Speaking of promos...

Mark Henry is trying, but....  Matt Striker just can't elicit a decent promo from the world champion, no matter how many times the WWE tries the backstage interview bit.  Henry got better when he was "distracted" by Bryan and, of course, Henry is very credible in the ring.  Maybe the "angry" Mark Henry would be more believable if I didn't think of "Sexual Chocolate" every time I saw him, so perhaps this is my problem. 

There was a Divas' match?  Heh.  I guess I had flipped over to the Chess Channel and missed it.

No episode is perfect, but this was the WWE's best Smackdown in at least several weeks.