Aaron's UnReal Time Smackdown Review: Miz Wants A Tag Team. Gets Edge.

Hello my Gathering...

Now, as I write this, I had all prepared in my mind something of a eulogy to this computer I have, because I want a new one since this one is showing it's age quite badly (about 7 years I've had it on the go for). However, yesterday I got a call to start a job on Monday, which means I'm now restricted to weekends to handle it, and now, once again, even though it is almost March, it's started f**king snowing AGAIN!!! I'm only writing this at 7pm! It's got all night to go yet! Damned stuff. I mean, with any luck, I could take a bus into the PC shop, but I want to harvest the sound card and maybe the video card, and DVD Drives from the old machine, which, of course, requires me taking the thing in, and so the car would be mighty useful!

Anyway, in terms of music videos this week, well, after the video package that got every talking at it's awesomeness on Monday, I can only really make it about one great band, Placebo, since their cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" was used, to great effect.

LAST WEEK ON SMACKDOWN: Matt Hardy's Valentines Day apparently didn't go well, John Morrison should have aimed for the body and Chris Jericho stole Undertaker's show-closing moment...

THIS WEEK…
We kick things off this week coming off the Elimination Chamber match, as Shawn Michaels superkicked the walking slab of BBQ known as Undertaker.

Well, this lasted longer than their interaction on RAW...
We cold opened to the benefactor of HBK's superkicky actions, Chris Jericho. As he came out, we jumped to RAW to Jericho's AWESOME promo, only for Edge to spear him out his shoes and announce he'd be facing Jericho for the title. Jericho started off where he left things on RAW announcing with Joy that he was champion. After 15 months of clawing, he was back where he belonged, with the title. It even says Chris Jericho on the nameplate! However, last Monday was supposed to be his party, and a chance for us to bask in his successes and give Jericho the respect he deserved. However, it didn't happen because of Edge. He yelled he didn't deserve it only for Edge to make his way out.

Edge said he hated to do it, but he had to congratulate Jericho. He walked in the Chamber and walked out with the title. Jericho said he was the best at what he did, but Edge said he was only the best at getting speared by Edge. You beat Rock & Austin. Spear. You beat HBK in his own match. Spear. You beat 3 legends at Wrestlemania. A couple more spears. You beat Taker twice. Those spears? Have a few more. You walked in the Chamber and walked out the champion. Spear x infinity.

And Edge began wondering if all those spears weren't just getting to him physically, but also mentally. Because Edge could see doubt. Jericho couldn't even look at him! Edge postured that Jericho saw Edge was in his head. But Edge wanted Jericho's best at Mania. Live up to your claims. If Jericho wasn't that guy, guess what was coming... Jericho claimed that Edge would never spear him again before punching him in the face. He then looked for the Codebreaker, but Edge held onto the top rope and then hit Jericho with a GORE! GORE! GORE! SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR!

Teenage Angst

Mania promo with that Kevin Rudolf song. I think that could be an awesome song in the right hands. Rudolf's hands are not right.

Dolph Ziggler def. John Morrison & R-Truth in a "Hey, Fighting Spirit Magazine, you TNA s**trag that you are, THERE Is Dolph Ziggler..." Money In The Bank Qualifying match
JoMo came out, and yet again, Striker kept on with the "virgin" analogies with Morrison as we saw some slo-mo moves that Morrison hit in the Chamber match. Dolph followed. And then came R-Truth. I should note that I only listened got round to JG's NXT audio today, otherwise something would be here right now that needs to be heard. Suffice to say, it'll happen next week or so. Interestingly, Truth came out with his NXT rookie, David Otunga, who sat down at ringside.

Ziggler ducked out at the bell, with the other two also leaving to surround him. The two buddies began to work on Ziggler, but he rolled out the ring again. This time though, Truth and Morrison locked up. Truth ducked down and scored with a jumping heel kick, but Ziggler broke up the pin, before again sliding out. Morrison scored with a dropkick and again, Ziggler broke the count. He slipped out again, but Morrison raced after him, bringing Ziggler back in the ring. Truth dumped Morrison back out as Otunga cheered on truth from ringside. Truth elevated Ziggler out and then pescadoed over, but Ziggler barely caught him, leaving all three men down. Truth was up first and he rolled Ziggler back in. Morrison kneed Truth back down out the ring before picking up a 2 count on Dolph as we hit the ads.

Ziggler had a chinlock on Truth as we saw that during the break, Morrison's shoulder was sent into the ringpost. Morrison was up, but Mr. Ziggles kept him out of it. Ziggler went for the sleeper on Truth, and just about had him, but Morrison was able to break the hold up. The Flying Chuck was blocked by Ziggler who then hit a Fameasser for a close 2 count. Ziggler hit a lovely inverted bodyslam for another 2 count on Morrison. Morrison caught Ziggler with a cradle, but Truth broke the pin before sending Morrison out. A Ziggler dropkick scored a 2 count for him. The ZigZag was blocked, but he caught Truth for a powerslam for another 2 count. Truth caught Ziggler in his own cradle for a 2 count, but Morrison broke it up. A jumping heel kick for Ziggler, but Truth rolled Morrison up for 2. Truth scored with a jawbreaker on Ziggler before looking for the "Lie Detector" corkscrew elbow. However, Ziggler ducked and Morrison took it.

Ziggler worked over Morrison in the corner before putting him up top. Ziggler joined him as Morrison fought back. As the jockeyed for position, Truth went up and joined the pair of them. Ziggler was downed, and he hit his head on the apron. Truth looked for a superplex but it was blocked. Morrison then hit a sunset flip powerbomb. He scored with Starship Pain, but Ziggler pulled Morrison out and pinned Truth himself for the three!

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7/10 - Fine, athletic match between the three of them. Finish was a bit cheap, but hey, Ziggler's a heel, so it works. I don't know though. For a pair of babyfaces, they sure are matching up Morrison & Truth a lot. Funny actually, because I've now had an idea about Mania, involving David Otunga. You see, David Otunga. Hollywood-connected guy. John Morrison. Hollywood star gimmick. Truth is a babyface to Otunga's obvious heelishness. Can you see where I'm going with this? That said, I don't want to be seeing Morrison turn heel again since he only just hit his stride.
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Morrison couldn't believe what happened as Ziggler celebrated going up the aisle. I LOVE how they are putting emphasis in how going to Wrestlemania really means something.

The Legend That Is Todd Grisham and Matt Striker sent it to the awesome Taker & HBK video, with a new bit added on for the RAW interaction.

Running Up That Hill (Live from Rock AM Ring)

Vickie Guerrero came out as ref for the next match with a ref shirt and track pants on.

Michelle McCool def. Mickie James in a "Way to piss away the satisfying Rumble blowoff..." match to win the WWE Women’s Title
After being knocked down with a shoulder tackle, Mickie came back with a couple of dropkicks. Mickie was sent into the corner, but she kicked Michelle away and hit a neckbreaker for a pin, but Layla was on the apron, and Vickie used this as an excuse not to count. Mickie switched with Michelle, and dumped McCool outside. She then hit a baseball slide. Mickie then scored with a headscissors as Vickie screamed for them to get back in. However, as Michelle was able to knock Mickie off the apron, leaving the ring again, since Michelle & Layla were in control, Vickie wasn't quite as vocal about them bringing it back. Back in, Mickie's head was rammed off the mat as we then saw Beth Phoenix look on form a monitor.

Michelle looked to finish, but Mickie hit a hurricanrana out of it, following with a clothesline. Michelle hit a belly to belly, but as Vickie went over to count, she fell out the ring on her ass, leading Layla to actually rubs Vickie's derriere. Mickie caught Michelle with a roll up in the confusion, and after slowly getting in the ring, Vickie, instead of bothering to count, slapped the hell out of Mickie. As Mickie got in Guerrero's face, Michelle hit a big boot for a brief, but not fully fast, three count.

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5/10 - As you may or may not have read, today, the WWE released Paul Burchill, Hurricane & Maria. With Maria in particular, she had been vocal about how she had things lined up for a post-WWE career, although she wasn't contemplating retirement yet. Booking like this suggests that Mickie could be on the chopping block. She has also been vocal and pro-active about her post-WWE movements. I mean, I know that it was something of a screwjob, but The Royal Rumble should have been the blowoff to this feud. If not then, then tonight should have just been gravy, with Mickie winning once again. Now we sat through the whole angle to get to the exact right point with it, in a title win for Mickie and payback humiliation for the heels, only to end up right back where we started again. THAT worries me in terms of Mickie's WWE tenure. The match itself was OK, with a couple of nice spots before the finish.
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We again saw the MITB briefcase, as some AC/DC song played.

Taste In Men

Kane def. THE SCOTTISH INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION~! Drew McIntyre in a "Well, that's just some bulls**t right there..." Money In The Bank Qualifying match
Kane came out first, followed by McIntyre, who had a mic in his hand. He said he was undefeated. This meant no-one had been able to beat him, not even Kane. Just like on Sunday for instance. And after tonight, he'd win the case and the prophecy would be fulfilled at Wrestlemania. He'd be Intercontinental Champion, World Heavyweight Champion and still undefeated. At the bell, McIntyre hid in the ropes and then tried to get the drop on Kane, but it didn't work as Kane took him into the corner. He worked him over and risked a DQ in the time he took to punch and stomp on him. Kane hit a suplex for a 2 count. Kane hit the snapmare, but as he went for the dropkick, McIntyre rolled out and then caught Kane was a neckbreaker off the top rope.

McIntyre bounced off the ropes with a clothesline for 2 before locking on the European headlock. Kane managed to get back to his feet, where he tossed Drew off the hold. Kane hit a pair of clotheslines in the corner, following with the side slam for a 2 count. Kane went up top for the clothesline, but Drew ducked itand hit the ZigZag. Indeed, Grisham even said "Ziggler" when he hit it. Drew looked to finish, but Kane pushed him into the corner. Drew blocked the charge, but ran into a chokeslam attempt. He fought out of it, but ran into a big boot for 2. Drew looked again for the DDT after kicking at Kane's legs, but Kane again blocked it. McIntyre changed up into a sunset flip attempt, but Kane booted him in the face. For the three count?!?!?!

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6/10 - No. Seriously now. Just no. First of all, even though he's been in a bunch of them now, I'm not a fan of Kane being in MITB. Just doesn't seem right to me. Not saying that flippy-floopy monkeys can only be in the match, just not Kane for me. However, if they're insisting on putting Kane in there, what the f**k were they thinking in sacrificing Drew's first pinfall loss in the WWE to him for that purpose? Could he not beat someone like Mike Knox or some such lower midcarder? And then, to cap it off, Kane doesn't win with the chokeslam. He wins with a regular boot to the face. That's all. That's all it took to put Drew down after all this time. It's not as if he took a ton of un-recoverable punishment, and the boot to the face was just a cherry on the top. No. it was just a move. A move that wouldn't put 99% of his opponents down in any other match. PURE shame all the way round. The match itself, again, was OK, but OK at best.
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Drew, rightfully, lost his s**t after the match, before yelling at the announcers. We cut backstage to see THE MIZ~! walking the halls. Good. This show needs a pick-me-up.

We came back to the news of the AC/DC track (also on the Ironman 2 soundtrack) they've been playing. It's called Thunderstruck.

English Summer Rain

And who exactly is Teddy Long gonna find to challenge you? I mean, I would say The Dudebusters, but they're heels as well!
The Miz came out with all his gold, but neither Big Show or Daniel Bryan. By the way, if for nothing else, check out this show PURELY to hear how TONY THE CHIM~! announced The Miz's name. Now, THAT was awesome... Mizward Mizzlebaum Jr. noted he was one half of the Unified tag champions, which meant he could visit any show he wanted. And he and Big Show could face any team put up. But alas, there is no-one yet for Wrestlemania. So he was calling out Teddy Long to find ShowMiz some challengers. Doesn't matter if it's Smackdown or even at Wrestlemania. Didn't matter because he was The Miz and he was awesome. Teddy Long came out and said he would take note of Miz's request. And hey, if Show was here, maybe they could have a match now. But he's not. But obviously Miz was, so get the working boots on, boy! Unless you need to hide behind Show that is. Miz said he wasn't scared of anyone. Thaddeus said that in that case he could face Edge!

The WWE Rewind was last year's Money In The Bank match.

Shelton Benjamin def. CM Punk in a "No Three-peat then..." Money In The Bank Qualifying match
And speaking of Mr. Money In The Bank, Punk came out with Gallows and Serena. No promo tonight though, as he was quickly followed by the newly-signed ECW-fugee, Shelton Benjamin. The announcers put over that Shelton was all about MITB, appearing in 4 of the 5 and making huge moments in them. Punk got the upperhand early in the corner, was kicked from the ring into the arms of Gallows & Serena. Punk caught Shelton on the top rope before hitting the springboard clothesline. He hit some mounted shots before picking up a quick count. A hard whip into the corner scored another 2 count.

Punk locked on a front facelock, before scoring a neckbreaker when Benjamin escaped out of it. He locked on a headscissors on the mat, but Benjamin managed to stand up on it with Punk on his shoulders. Punk slipped out, but Benjamin hit a German suplex with bridge for a 2 count. Benjamin began to build momentum, and scored with a turning double axe handle out of the corner. The Stinger Splash missed, and Punk scored with a roundhouse for a 2 count. Punk charged the corner and hit the high knee, but he shoved off the bulldog. Shelton lined up Paydirt, but Gallows got on the apron. However, as Punk jumped the distracted Shelton, Rey Mysterio appeared to pull Gallows off the apron, which in turn distracted Punk, allowing Benjamin to hit the Paydirt for the three count.

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7/10 - Fun little match, which puts perennial MITB contender Benjamin in the match and goes further to setting up Punk vs. Mysterio at Wrestlemania, so it was pretty much a win all round.
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Benjamin also celebrated like his win was meaningful to him. Meanwhile, Punk's reaction was also great, as he spied Rey on the ramp.

John Morrison: Best of 2009 Rock Star is out now!

The RAW Rebound was all about John Cena's night and their Plan B in setting up Cena vs. Batista at Mania. You know that WWE is pretty rockin' right now when their Plan B is pretty darn awesome, and probably better than Plan A.

Bright Lights

We came back to Matt & Todd as went over the current Wrestlemania card.

Edge def. The Miz in a "Hey, another "First Time Ever" match here!" match
As edge came out, we went back to the beginning of the show as he, once again, speared Jericho. Miz then came out as we took a break. We returned for the opening bell. Things started off in a stalemate fashion, but Edge began to take control as he hit a waistlock takedown and then a Northern Lights Suplex with bridge for a quick 2 count. Edge grabbed a side headlock, but when Miz shoved off, Edge scored with a knock down. Miz scored with a club to the bank, before he stomped Edge out the ring. However, Edge slipped in as Miz slipped out. He then slipped out as Miz slipped back in, pulling Miz out and sending him into the guardrail. Edge sent Miz into the corner, and while Miz got a foot up on the charge, Edge ducked it, slipping out the ring and tripping Miz up. Edge was caught with a knee in the ropes before he was run into the ringpost as we hit the ads.

Miz was in control with elbows to the shoulders and neck as we came back before he locked on a chinlock. Edge looked to elbow out, but Miz pulled him down and hit a running boot for a 2 count. Miz did some choking in the ropes. With edge in the corner, Miz ran in and hit his corner clothesline. Miz went up top and looked for a Double Axe Handle, but it was easily blocked by Edge, who hit Miz with a flapjack. Edge followed with a Side Russian legsweep. As we saw both men down, we saw Daniel Bryan watching the monitor again, just like RAW. Once both men got back up, Edge hit a big boot, following up with a couple of clotheslines and then the Edge-O-Matic for a 2 count.

Edge looked for the Edgecution, but Miz countered with a backbreaker/neckbreaker combo for a deuce. Miz began stalking over Edge, and looked for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Edge countered with the Edgecution. Then, as the crowd chanted for it, he hit Miz with a Spear for the win.

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7.5/10 - Another pretty fun match here, with some good work by both and a nice finish. Indeed, I was expecting something of a Jericho run-in which didn't come. Nice for the match itself, but not so great for Mania build.
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Edge celebrated his win, pointing at the Wrestlemania sign as the show ended.

OVERALL - This was a definite notch down, for me, for recent weeks and months. Certainly a distant third in terms of WWE TV show quality this week, and when was the last time you could say that Smackdown was in 3rd place? It was OK, but the second quarter of the show had some highly questionable booking decisions mixed with only OK match quality, which really did drag it down for me. Second hour though was pretty good, or at least with the final 2 matches.

Aaron had a busy, and not entirely fun day today. After a meeting about him starting a new job on Monday, he had to go shopping in town, which meant driving in heavy rain and wind, which turned to snow as he was heading home, and he isn't brilliantly comfortable with driving in such heavy conditions. Mainly because he's paranoid about whether it's the weather that's making the car want to spear off to the side or whether it's the car itself. Speaking of "Heavy Rain" though, the PS3 game of that name that came out this week is AWESOME! Truly one of the most engrossing and imaginative games he's ever played.

You can find him either on Facebook, MySpace(myspace.com/aaron24wood), or on Twitter(twitter.com/aaron24wood). And don't forget to check out the ClubWWI Twitter feed while you're there. Or if you're into gaming, Aaron's Playstation Network screen name is, you guessed it, aaron24wood as well!