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I will preface my blog by saying that I watch the majority of wrestling currently available, including Raw, ECW, Impact, and ROH, and I will comment on those shows as times goes on. However, I want to focus on Smackdown, and give ten reasons why it is the best wrestling show on television right now. There are five specific reasons, and there are five general concepts.

10. Format and Pacing: Smackdown is doing a tremendous job right now of formatting their show and pacing it perfectly. For example, each week on Smackdown, there are two or three major happenings that viewers can get into and remember, with the key storyline revolving around Edge and Vickie Guerrero. On the other hand, Impact often times shoves several angles and storylines down the viewers’ throats each week, making each one seem like the most important thing on the show.

Conversely, Smackdown currently follows a format that provides for two or three major happenings, while everything else fills its place nicely. These other segments are treated fairly and with purpose, however they do not overshadow the major angles that the writers want to get across with that week’s episode. In addition, the format of Smackdown lately has revolved around enhancing characters through squash matches. This is more of an old-school formula, but one that is effective in getting wrestlers and their moves over.

9. Vladimir Koslov: Yes, I said it. Slowly, but surely, he is being built up to be a credible heel with a unique wrestling style. To me, his style is entertaining, and I am anxious to see him expand his repertoire in future months. He has not been overexposed in the ring. Koslov has decent facial expressions and mannerisms, and I think he is an intriguing character,. I am looking forward to seeing him in a full-fledged program.

8. Intriguing, Logical Storytelling: Smackdown easily surpasses any wrestling show on television right now when it comes to this area. While Raw has gaping holes in their major storylines, such as the GM, Vince McMahon, and JBL vs. John Cena, Smackdown has shown a bit of long term planning, especially when it comes to the Edge-Vickie relationship. Banishing The Undertaker was a move that was criticized by many, including myself, however they have found a logical way to bring him back within the confines of the storyline. Impact has similar issues as Raw with inconsistent booking.

7. The Brian Kendrick: If people have not seen his new gimmick, it is worth watching on Friday nights. Although he does not take up a great deal of television time right now due to participating in enhancement matches, he is still interesting to watch, both on the mic and in the ring. I have no problem with the mic work he has done so far. I think it has been good, and of course he has great in-ring ability. His mannerisms as a heel seem a bit forced, but the announcers are doing an excellent job of getting over his persona. His interaction with Zeke has been limited, but again I am intrigued when they are heading. I like his music too, so there is another reason.

6. Character Development: Smackdown is doing a fantastic job of developing the characters on their roster, which will in turn make viewers more invested in storylines. For example, the backstory that has developed between Jeff Hardy and MVP has been great so far. Instead of just throwing them in a match because they have not feuded before, they are going the extra mile to create a reason for wrestling and settling an issue.

Additionally, Shelton Benjamin has benefitted from the draft, and the writers have done a good job of re-establishing his gimmick. His short interview after losing last Friday was a small, but nice touch in defining his heel persona. Other instances such as Brian Kendrick and Ron Killings come to mind when thinking about character development. The writers have even given Bam Neely some character development through his interaction with Edge and Vickie, which has added another layer to their storyline.

5. MVP: He is currently one of the best, if not the best, talkers in the business right now, and he can carry an entire segment on the mic, and in the ring as well. He has all the makings of becoming a major star, and they are adding to his character through his feud with Jeff Hardy. He is definitely worth going out of your way to watch on Fridays. I expect even more of a push, not that Michael Hayes is back as the lead writer.

4. Announcing: The tandem of Jim Ross and Mick Foley is definitely the best in the industry, and they are getting better from week to week. I think they are a good foil for each other, and there is a good mix of humor, references to history, and getting over the current product. I cannot emphasize the great job they do calling matches and making they seem important and consequential. They get the wrestlers over, while performing all the other responsibilities needed to be a WWE announcer, such as shilling merchandise, plugging sponsors, and selling PPVs.. Bottom line…they are entertaining.

3. The Most Over Babyface in the Company: No, not Triple H. It is none other than Jeff Hardy. It seems he is getting more than just the “girly scream pop”, and he is now being treated as a legitimate contender to the heavyweight title. The writers are doing an outstanding job of slowly building anticipation towards a title shot, which will in turn mean more to fans when he actually gets the belt. For a WWE style wrestler, there are few who match his athleticism fro week to week, and he is getting more mic time to flesh out his character. Plus, I like his music too. Sue me.

2. Quality Wrestling: For months now, Smackdown has been the place for longer matches and more quality wrestling. This is what fans pay to see. Go figure. Smackdown has continued this trend lately, and for the most part, the matches have been entertaining. It does not hurt to have the quality of announcing fro week to wee to enhance everything between the ropes.

1. Edge: He is simply the best right now in professional wrestling. As Paul Heyman mentioned recently in his blog, he is the “shining star” of WWE. His in-ring work coupled with his mic skills, body language, and mannerisms make him the ideal heel. Earlier in his career, I doubted whether he can be a money heel, but he has shown me that he can, and he is the best performer from week to week on wrestling television.

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