"WWE SmackDown!" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

The first SmackDown! of '05 comes your way in just a few minutes on UPN. I was going to write my standard introduction, but instead I have just four words: "Cena. Suzuki. Battle Rap."

ROLLING THE DICE
JAN. 6, 2005
What could be in store for the first SmackDown! of 2005 as the program arrives at the Mohegan Sun hotel and casino in upstate Connecticut?

After all of the SmackDown! champions defended their title successfully last week in New Orleans, what new challenges could be on tap this week?

Well, for one, United States Champion John Cena will test his mic skills against Kenzo Suzuki in a Battle Rap. Also, one week after Eddie Guerrero failed to lie, cheat and steal his way to a win over Rey Mysterio in a tag team match, the Superstars will face off in singles action.

Meanwhile, are JBL’s days as WWE Champion numbered after General Manager Teddy Long announced he would face both Kurt Angle and Big Show in a Triple Threat Match at the Royal Rumble on Jan. 30?

We also learned Heidenreich and Undertaker would renew their heated rivalry at the pay-per-view from Fresno, California.

Don’t miss the first SmackDown! of 2005, only on UPN (8/7 CT).

[VCXZX]

Mysterio-Guerrero was very good. I liked the antics at the end. The 619 Cam was better when it was called the Clique Cam.

I wonder if Theodore Long was watching when all the Tech people signed that petition. Maybe he'll fire them next week.

Daniel Puder continues his run at heeldom, which is a big mistake IMO. Although he tried at least, and got some points, for mentioning Jackie Gayda's history.

The Battle-Rap was very awful. cena's segments are fast becoming the worst on Smackdown. Segments like that make me wish that Smackdown was on opposite 24 instead of RAW.

Well, sadly, the focus of the WWE Championship match has turned to the Divas instead of the wrestlers. Although I do like Amy Weber. I hope pets aren't involved next.

Good to see Paul Heyman back, though I have a feeling that we won't see him for a long time. Farewell, Paul. You will not be forgotten.

[Frank Castle]

Wasn't bad but it wasn't good.

[Kippy]

Wow, look at all of the interest in SmackDown! this week. I can't say I'm too surprised. For the most part, watching SmackDown! is a frustrating experience. It seems like every time they take one step forward they manage to take two steps back. Tonight's episode was a perfect example of that. The first forty minutes or so of the show were good, but after that the whole thing just fell apart.

The match that Mysterio and Eddie had to open the show was great. There were some slow spots during the middle, but Eddie was able to make those holds more interesting by doing headstands and bridges. The ending was good with Rey catching Eddie again. I wonder if this little feud is heading anywhere or if they just don't having anything for Latino Heat to do now.

The second match was a little disappointing. From what I could see, Funaki and Akio put on a good little match. The problem was that nobody could see it because they kept cutting to Carlito. That was just completely unnecessary. Carlito was only talking to the people around the ring, so they very easily could have kept him and the match in the picture at the same time. It just made the Cruiserweight Championship look worthless.

The Puder segments these past two weeks have been... interesting. Part of me questions why he's been showing up when he hasn't been doing anything on the show, but I guess that question could be asked about a lot of people on the roster. By the looks of it so far, it appears that he's going to be a heel on the show, which seems like a pretty bad idea. I can kind of understand it. Maven was never able to move up the card just as the Tough Enough babyface, so they're doing the complete opposite here. The only problem is that they already know that people like him. It just doesn't make sense to make a bad guy out of a guy who got his job because the fans voted for him.

Next up was the rap battle between Cena and Kenzo. This was flat out awful. I think I'll be saying the same thing next week about their U.S. Championship match.

Then there was the match between Doug Basham and Rob Van Dam. I honestly wasn't really paying attention during this match. I find it hard to believe that after being in the WWE for over a year, referees still can't tell Doug and Danny apart.

The main event was a lousy handicap match between Undertaker and Heidenreich & Heyman. It's absolutely ridiculous that this feud is still going on. It's bad on both wrestling and entertainment levels. Taker now has three victories over Heidenreich. This needs to end at the Rumble.

[The Penguin]

Well my brother brought me a tape early this week and I watched it to offer some thoughts even though the SmackDown! love is still MIA…

Gather round kids and Uncle Pengy will review the modern history of the professional wrestling video camera…
Mid-1990’s “The Kliq Kam” – Shawn Michaels: Stupid
2000 “The Kid Kam” – Billy Kidman: Stupid
2005 “The 619 Cam” – Rey Mysterio: Still stupid.
It blows my mind that somebody thought they needed to give another guy a video camera, it’s just so stupid.

I liked how both Eddie and Rey-Rey tried to get away with lying and cheating to steal the match. It just makes things very entertaining.

Well being more aerodynamic didn’t seem to do much for Akio in his shot against Funaki. Maybe someday Akio will win on SmackDown! again.

Carlito and his dang petition are going to get real annoying real quick. What am I saying? We’re already there.

It was fun watching Heidenreich’s expressions as Heyman explained to Long why a casket match was a bad idea.

Well Angle made short, short work of Brian Black. I don’t know what else you can say.

I must say I am more than a little shocked at the arrogant and disrespectful attitude of Daniel Puder. I guess they are doing something different with a Tough Enough Champion not starting out as a face.

Well that barely counted as a battle rap. It was an okay way to hype the U.S. Title match coming this Thursday, but as an independent segment it didn’t do much for me. I find it interesting how they have acknowledge that Hiroko is Kenzo’s wife and now he can’t keep his eyes off Michelle and the other Divas.

The weapon and then the Basham was a clever take on the ol’ Basham switch. Orlando Jordan adds a new element to the Co-Secretaries of Defense that they should really benefit from.

The plan did indeed come together with Angle, Joy and the Big Show. I don’t know what to say other than it was well executed by JBL and his image consultant.

Heidenreich seems to be fighting a losing battle with that cement wall. He was putting forth a lot of effort though.

Methinks the casket closing is the last we will see of Paul Heyman. If that is the case it’s a dang shame that one of the greatest minds and managers in professional is being taken away because of b.s. politics and bruised egos.