By Chris Shore

WWE Smackdown Hits

Randy Orton and John Morrison vs. Christian and R-Truth: This was an excellent match for several reasons. First, it was just a well wrestled, well-paced, and perfectly ended match. I was digging the whole thing from start to finish, and the finishing sequence is a must see. Second, it did both of the feuds mixed in together a lot of good. Morrison and Truth looked fantastic in this match, as opposed to their stink fest last week. And Christian's pin and post-match celebration went a long way to giving us the much needed doubt to the assumed Orton victory at SummerSlam. As a mental exercise, I've spent several hours now trying to figure out how this match could have done more. So far, I've got nothing.

Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd: For those who may have seen some wrestling from back in the NWA heydays of the 1980s and weren't impressed, you just saw the wrong match. This match was every bit that type of match. There were no crazy high spots, other than the one dive. But they told a story, with a definite beginning, middle, and end. I'm glad to see Kidd survived the latest round of cuts, and I wouldn't mind these two hooking it up again after Bryan is done with Wade Barrett. Go out of your way to see this match and see how fast ten minutes can fly by.

Sheamus vs. Mark Henry: While these two didn’t have a match, their feud continues to be one of the most interesting and exciting things on Smackdown. Sheamus's pop after defeating Khali was unbelievable, as was the reaction when he ran out at the end of Henry's match. Like Jake Barnett said in audio, I really wish they wouldn't play up the "Lucky Charms" part of Sheamus's character, but that's looking for something to complain about.

AJ vs. Natalya: Two weeks in a row now, the women have climbed into the Smackdown ring and flat impressed me. Last week I complained there was no story. This week they solved that problem. AJ and Natty put on a clinic for chain wrestling (with a couple of minor misses), and the post-match beat down was perfect. I'm really digging the Diva's division right now, and this match only improved on that.

WWE Smackdown Misses

Michael McGillicutty, David Otunga, and JTG vs. Trent Baretta and The Usos: I'm not even sure what the purpose of this match was. They got them all on TV, sure. But nobody really looked good, and Baretta got the only reaction from the crowd on a flying knee. Otherwise, this was a bathroom break match. Not a good thing for the tag champs.

Intercontinental Title picture: This whole thing was rough. Cody Rhodes still hasn't advanced his character in any way since changing to this gimmick. Ted DiBiase is hanging on. Ezekiel Jackson is boring. And Zack Ryder just seemed to be there for…well, I don't know what he was there for. Now I'm willing to blame this all on creative for the moment, but these guys better start trying to do more with what they are given, even if what they are given isn't much.

Teddy Long and Aksana: Granted, this was only a couple of minutes of interaction, but I do not want a replay of a Teddy Long love interest. I have no idea what they are going to do with Aksana. She was the worst Diva in NXT Season 3 if memory serves, and her acting skills were pretty weak as well. She did fine last night, and while this may yet impress me, I'm not hopeful about the first offering. Of course, if they have her say "moose and squirrel" on TV all will be forgiven.

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