WWE Smackdown Workrate Report 7/15/04
So I am filling in for Dean, who apparently can't set a VCR or something. I got my own Workrate report to do on Monday so don't expect any A-List jokes or anything. But fuck me running this was a great show.
What Worked
-I am really digging the X division matches they are running on Smackdown lately. This just totally smokes anything TNA puts out, as all four of these guys can actually put together a match. Spike Dudley and Noble work together so great, and Rey is just balls to the wall. I think this was better then last weeks match, as it was worked with more of a tag formula, and less spotty.
-Cena handicap match was perfectly fine wrestling. Cena can sell and is over, so he is best in matches where he takes a beating and gets some combacks. Kenzo didn't fuck anything up, and I am willing to give him a chance. I actually kind of like Omori and Kensuke Sasaki now, so maybe an exodus from World Japan invigorates previously crappy heavyweights. One nice chop won't get me singing your praises though. Booker looked good too, and I am fine with the worlds most mediocre 1996 WCW TV title feud. They really need to suit up Finlay though.
-Paul London will take a beating for you. Since when could D-Von throw a clothesline? Bubba is so great as a shit talking heel second, I have no idea when Bubba Ray Dudley became my favorite WWE guy, but has kind of happened. The smart move is to work a TLC match at Summerslam between these two teams, as they haven't done one in a long time, and London will become a fucking superstar if they do. Kidman does a nice job as guy outside clapping.
-Eddie Guerrerro v. JBL at Judgement Day is my WWE MOTY, totally smoking the really overrate WM 3-way. This cage match was pretty great too, although way more of a WWE spotfest cage match, then a really brutal brawl. I'll take brawl over spotfest, so this was actually kind of disappointing. Still it had some big ass spots, and was built nicely. I was impressed with Bradshaw here, as I didn't think he could do this style, and was fine here, taking the big bumps and mixing in some nice spots of his own. They should really kill the over the cage stip for the WWE style of cage match though. It requires weird selling, because there will be a huge spot, and the guy has to get back up again to stop the escape. The televised cage match seems the way the WWE kills feuds so I guess they are going to go back to the Undertaker for the belt. Well it was fun while it lasted.
What Didn't Work
-I am trying to remember if Heidenreich sucked as much as Baroom Brawler guy Paul E. Dangerously brought in to work Lex Luger at a Clash of the Champions, I am guessing it is pretty close. Maybe Heidenreich will hurt the Undertaker though. Keep 'em crossed.