WWE Judgment Day Hits

Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho: HBK did it again. No matter how high the expectations of fans get, he always seems to deliver performances that surpass them. Jericho was no slouch in this match either. Y2J has really been on fire ever since he got past that letdown of a run with JBL. These guys stole the show last night. It wasn't a match the year candidate, but it was just a notch below that level. A very entertaining match with an especially strong finish. Jim Ross nailed it when he said he could watch Michaels and Jericho work seven days a week. I can't even imagine how much better their matches would be if they could add the drama of feuding over a title. Too bad Michaels and the other top guys seem to be above working for the Intercontinental belt.

Batista backstage promo: This was short, to the point, and spot on. It creates some mystery regarding when Batista will show up, and it made Batista look like a badass for calling his shot.

Triple H vs. Randy Orton: As good as a cage match can be without blood. I still can't believe they didn't spice things up by adding some color to the match, but both guys worked hard and it had some entertaining moments. I really enjoyed the spot where Hunter was holding Orton by the head while the rest of Randy's body dangled over the side of the cage.

C.M. Punk: WWE has done a really nice job of building up John Morrison and The Mix over the last week, but I thought Punk delivered a good performance. His offense really stood out during the match and he worked especially hard considering the fact that he was doing the job for his team. Bonus points for the new Punk ring gear. His old look was dull and he needed a change.

WWE Judgment Day Misses

John Cena vs. JBL: I think most people went into this match expecting a good brawl. Instead, they got JBL working over Cena's left shoulder and dominating a slow-paced match until the finish. It wasn't a horrible match, but it didn't live up to my expectations, nor did it set a good pace in the opening spot. Say what you will about Cena, but he usually brings energy to the show. For that reason, I understand why they experimented by having his match in the opening spot, and it may have clicked had they simply delivered the type of match that most fans expected from them.

Jeff Hardy vs. MVP: How could they not advertise this match in advance? Don't even give me that crap about making it seem like anything can happen on a WWE pay-per-view, this matchup was too appealing not to advertise. The match itself was pretty basic and a borderline letdown. I just expected more when the hottest act on Raw met the hottest act on Smackdown. More than anything, though, this "Miss" goes to WWE for not capitalizing on Jeff's popularity by not advertising his match with MVP in advance.

Undertaker vs. Edge: This was the worst of their three pay-per-view main event matches this year. That being said, it was still passable work by both men, but the lame finish was really a letdown. I just don't want to see another Undertaker vs. Edge match in two weeks at the One Night Stand pay-per-view. It would be one thing if everything else on WWE pay-per-view was fresh and exciting, but the shows consist primarily of repeat matches. I think viewers are desperate to see some new programs from WWE, but I have a hunch that we're in for another series of rematches since the next pay-per-view is only two weeks away.

Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina: Don't get me wrong, the four minutes and 36 seconds were really good. The problem I had with the match is that it was way too short. These women were tearing it up with the most enjoyable WWE women's match in quite some time before the premature finish. WWE could have trimmed a minute or two off the opening match or a minute or two off the World Hvt. Championship match (or both!) and given it to the women's match and the overall show would have benefitted.

Overall show: There was plenty of good wrestling on the show, but there were no newsworthy moments. I think they tried to spice things up by delivering the surprise Hardy vs. MVP match, but it wasn't good enough to get people talking around their office water cooler about what a great match their coworkers who didn't order the show missed out on. The biggest problem in WWE right now is that they keep featuring the same wrestlers in the top matches. They really need to shake things up and elevate some of the mid-card talent and take a few chances.

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