Its been a good week for wrestling.  Some fantastic action from the wrestlers, and a lot of attention to this site.  With this comes a renewed desire to be a fair wrestling review column.  Part of this is to remember that the wrestlers aren’t bad.  Guess what, if you’ve made it to TV you cant be all bad.  Chances are you’re better than quite a few indy guys out there.

However, sometimes things don’t go over well.  There are botches, there are bad ideas, and there are things that looked better on paper than they do in execution.  So lets take a proper attitude to this week’s review of Smackdown.

David Otunga introduces Johnny Ace and both men come out.  Johnny asks Teddy Long to come out.  Teddy comes out, and insults Ace.  Apparently Teddy has a college fund for his grandchildren.  It is for the GM of Smackdown so Ace threatens Long’s grandkids’ futures unless Teddy plays bitch.  Teddy reluctantly agrees.

Now I’ve signed some contracts in my life.  Every single one of them has my name on it.  My legal, non internet, non kayfabe name.  Not a one of them says “writer of Team Hellions”.  I don’t endorse checks as “blogger”.  When I was younger I didn’t receive birthday checks from “doctor” or “teacher”.  Also, Teddy is still a WWE employee.  Not head of Smackdown, but still with the company.  I can see certain privileges one might have while working for a company.  But as long as you still work for them, you still have those benefits right?  I’m very confused by this angle.

David Otunga and Mark Henry vs. R-Truth.

This is a destruction.  Mark hits a World’s Strongest Slam.  David begs to come in and gets the pin.

Great way to get Otunga over as a heel.  “I can beat him now.”  David may not be on the top 10 wrestlers in the world list but his personality could be.  Conniving and a chicken shit.  Great work.  Mark Henry’s potential new adviser Abraham Washington watches from the back.  Very interested in where that one goes.

Kane vs. Randy Orton.

Oh its a no disqualification match as well.  That little detail is what pushes this match over.  Much much better than the WrestleMania match between the two men.  The freedom that exists from this being a No DQ match adds more to the bout.  Chairs, fighting outside of the ring, its all things that the crazy viper and the demented Kane need to truly show their gifts.  With Orton winning this one I’m expecting a balls out crazy match at the upcoming Extreme Rules PPV between the two.  After a lackluster Mania match this free TV one has me excited once again for this feud.  Good work from all.

Some jobber named Barry Stevens vs…. Ryback.

Barry cuts a promo before Ryback comes out.  Very strange.  Not bad, just different.  Some of the NXT and Superstars crew are watching in the back and laughing.  I am too.  Its very bizarre to see a jobber, sorry – enhancement talent, get on a mic for any reason.  Even strangers for him to insult the crowd.  The match is of course a squash.  Ryback looks very nasty.  Not a great chance to show off any agility in the match.  Nor a promo.  But his power is insane and will get him a long way.

I see a problem with the other Superstars watching and laughing.  Fact is, Ryback will defeat many of them during this current push.  Not to say that they aren’t good – but Ryback is the one with the push and thus lambs must be brought in to be slaughtered.  Maybe it will lead in to some other angle.  Too soon to tell.

Daniel Bryan and AJ comes out.  Crowd is going insane with the YES chants.  And this is with him doing everything he can to be a heel.  I love Bryan as a heel.  However, whenever a face turn comes the already numerous YES signs in the crowd will double.  Daniel Bryan tears into AJ and it skates that fine line between abuse and just a jerk of a boyfriend.  Its a good promo that should make Bryan look like an asshole and AJ get the sympathy of all fans.

But not in front of this crowd.  They cheer AJ’s dressing down.  They applaud her tears.  They “yes yes yes” her breakdown.  Its a little disturbing to see.

Big Show (Intercontinental champion) vs. Heath Slater

Cody Rhodes joins the announce table for the match.  Big Show plays Cody’s mishaps from ‘Mania to the crowds indifference.  No surprises here.  Show destroys Slater, as expected.  Cody debates on fighting Show, thinks best of it.  Show hits a big punch on Slater for fun and Cody tries to sneak in, to no avail.  Its not a bad feud to carry on from WrestleMania.  What else would these two champions be doing?  Good way for Cody to stay in the spotlight as they build him up into a World champion.  Oh there is no doubt of that happening.

Beth Phoenix (Divas champion) vs. a Bella.  Kelly Kelly comes out and this distracts Beth enough to lose the match.  Beth deserves so much better.  The state of the Divas division is sad.  The crowd loves a great match between men.  They’ll love a great match between women as well.  Talent raid TNA, go to the indys, bump up the women on NXT and FCW that can actually wrestle.  Please get rid of the crap that is so prevalent in the Divas division.

Damien Sandow debut video.  You know, if Chris Jericho wants to blame someone for copying him, Damien is a good stop after CM Punk.  Sandow is insulting the audience, while telling us he’s here to “save” us.  If he can wrestle well – great.  If he can cut a promo off the top of his head as erudite as this one, I look forward to more from Sandow.

Sheamus (World champion) vs. Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)

Well this was interesting.  A fair match throughout.  Sheamus is still young and Del Rio has not yet become as good as he thinks he is.  But that isn’t the point of this match.  The reason for this to take place isn’t to see which man is better, its to set up Sheamus’s post Daniel Bryan feud.  Its a good starting point too.  Sheamus takes a steel chair away from ADR, but is then accused of using it.  The classic Eddie Guerrero trick.  The referee’s DQ upsets Sheamus so much – boom – big Brogue kick right to the official’s face.   Sheamus’s rage and lack of control will be an interesting story.

Numerous debuts, many new feuds, and only a couple of previous stories continuing.  Its a fun time to be a WWE fan.  Lets see how long that momentum can carry on.