Opening Segment:
What I Liked:
Alberto Del Rio, David Otunga, and Ricardo Rodriguez try to get justice served on Sheamus, and want the Brogue Kick banned. Del Rio says it is barbaric, and that they want it to be banned. They talk about Sheamus and his actions, until Booker T comes out. He tells them that they can run their mouth all they want, but it will not be banned. The WWE Universe cheers, and Booker leaves. I figure Del Rio would start off Smackdown. He needs to be taken more seriously as the contender to Sheamus, and they give him all the time in the world to get his point across.
What I Disliked:
Once again, we get a recycled storyline. David Otunga has value in this company in many ways, but I cannot stand the angle of legal ramifications. This is professional wrestling, where physicality is intended. It makes no sense to have someone try to sue another person or to seek legal advice. I just feel like they try to make this work time and time again, but everyone is too smart to really care about it. Even an intriguing guy like Paul Heyman could not "sue" Triple H. Instead of an angle like this, why not try to focus on how Del Rio can beat Sheamus, or how he can manipulate him. Add something more personal, not rely on a fake lawyer.
Grade: C
Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio Defeat Cody Rhodes and The Miz
What I Liked:
We saw a little more technicality from Sin Cara tonight than usual. He focused on grounding The Miz in the early going, worked on his arm, and then took over from there. Usually Cara gets a hot flurry of offense, hits his few air attacks, and that is it. We got a little more grounded attacks, and I appreciated it. As the match progressed, Cara became the target of the offensive tactics from Cody Rhodes. Rhodes hit a beautiful suplex, looking strong and really great as it was executed. Rhodes would continue the assault, and then Mysterio got the tag. The pace picked up at the right time, and the faces get the victory. I felt like this was a really great match, with a lot of positives. You had two big heels team together, but you also had two similar guys tag once again. I think this could start an early feud with all four guys, which means Miz would turn face and Cara would turn heel.
What I Disliked:
Do we always need the faces to win on Smackdown? Unless it is a squash match, that is always how this show is booked. Where is the creativity, the essence of solid heels winning matches? I really wish I could have not been able to predict the outcome, but the general fan could have. It is too easy to know who is going to win each match. This was the same, and it does nothing for Miz and Rhodes to lose clean. They are the ones who look weak and get harmed by a meaningless loss to two much smaller opponents.
Grade: B+
