WWE Smackdown taping onsite report (spoilers): Detailed notes and observations regarding the taping for Friday's television show and the rest of the tapings

Dot Net reader Erik Beaston attended the WWE Smackdown taping in Hershey, Pa. on Tuesday and sent the following report.

Dark Match

-There wasn't much to Dean Ambrose's squash over the local enhancement talent but one thing is obvious: Ambrose knows how to work the crowd. Facial expressions and mic skills off the chart for someone who hasn't been called up yet. I have a feeling Ambrose will be making Vince McMahon a lot of money one day.
 
WWE NXT Taping

-Percy Watson is probably better than what his spot on the roster indicates. Crowd was dead for most of his match with Johnny Curtis but came alive during Percy's charismatic comeback.
 
-Curt Hawkins and, to a lesser extent Tyler Reks, are wasted in their role on NXT.
 
-Kaitlyn has developed into a very solid wrestler. Maxine is far from bad, as well. Both are probably better than a third of the girls that make it on television regularly.
 
-The triple threat main event that saw Tyson Kidd take on Michael McGillicutty and Derrick Bateman is worth checking out on this week's NXT. High quality match from three guys who have worked with each other frequently. Considering the Smackdown roster is currently lacking babyface mid-carders, it's a wonder Kidd's tremendous work hasn't landed him a spot on the Friday night broadcast.
 
WWE Superstars Taping

-I am still confused as to why The Usos defeated Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler when the heels are challenging for the tag titles this Sunday. There appeared to be a bit of arguing between Ziggler, Swagger, and Vickie post-match. Will Dolph finally break away from them and move up the card? Probably not but a guy can wish, right?
  
WWE Smackdown Taping

-Big heat for John Laurinaitis. Between the boos and his voice, it was hard to hear the Vice President of Talent Relations, etc. through most of his promo.
 
-Huge pop for CM Punk's interruption of the GM. Given that Laurinaitis suddenly has issues with Cena, it is nice to see the creative team remember the tension between the WWE Champion and his boss.
 
-It still surprises me that Kofi Kingston hasn't made more a move up the ladder, especially given how popular he is with kids and parents.
 
-Damien Sandow is gold. He may not be the physical specimen that Ryback is and he may not have the hype of Dean Ambrose but the guy is great in his current role. He has the potential to be something special, if booking does his the right favors along the way.
 
-Daniel Bryan is as over as anyone on the roster right now, barring the "tippy-top" guys. Yes! chants could be heard all night long.
 
-Punk worked hard, and the match was solid, but there is something about masked Kane that does not work. For whatever reason, it's almost as if he puts the mask back on and immediately reverts back to being a terrible worker. Sounds stupid, I know, but it's just an observation.
 
-Santino going over Cody Rhodes, who continues to look like the furthest thing from a serious breakout Superstar, still confuses me. Yeah, he's over, but I don't think Santino is the future of the company.
 
-Randy Orton was the most popular star on the show, which is saying something considering CM Punk's presence and the incredibly "smark-y" crowd. Hopefully Over the Limit serves as a bounce-back for Randy, considering the largely disappointing 2012 this year.
 
-Orton-Sheamus was a very good main event. I would go out on a limb and say it is pay-per-view quality but the live atmosphere may be clouding my judgment. Both men worked extremely hard and it resulted in one of the better main events Smackdown has seen in a while. Definitely go out of your way to check out the match, if nothing else.
 
I would say the majority of the crowd went home happy. There were plenty of families but Hershey has always had its share of "smart" fans and they were out in droves tonight. Solid turnout for Smackdown, which always seems to lack in attendance compared to Raw.
 
Top Five Pops:
1. Randy Orton
2. CM Punk
3. Sheamus
4. Kofi Kingston
5. Daniel Bryan/Booker T (tie)
 
Top Five Jeers
1. John Laurinaitis
2. John Laurinaitis
3. Vickie Guerrero
4. John Laurinaitis
5. Damien Sandow
*No, those are not typos. The crowd hated Johnny Ace that much.