WWE SmackDown, Febuary 4, 2011: Blonde Ambition, Booker T Returns

Before I begin, I would like to apologize for not posting a review for this past Thursday's WWE Superstars. But no worries, it was a very poor edition to say the least.


Booker T Returns

Major hit here. Adding Booker T to theSmackDown announce team gives another reason to watch wrestling on Friday Nights, and it's good for him to be exposed on television yet not wrestle.

His commentating was green at times, but he's getting used to the style is all. His humor with Cole was much better than Striker's bickering, and it adds a new spark to the announce team. Although some of the IWC may be down the middle of replacing Striker, I say it was for the best and Booker's successful experience will be much appreciated.


Opening Segment

Pretty good way to hype up a mediocre match for the main event (more on that later.) Vickie did most of the work here, but Kelly's performance was a little better than usual. Edge's and Lay-Cool's interference at the end of the promo was, again, a great way to hype a handicap that would awkwardly be for the World title.


The Corre (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (Non-title)

A match that no one cared about. It didn't have the potential to be something amazing in the first place, but this contest didn't have any motivation behind it.

The patterns follows as a team defeating the tag champions only to lose in their title match a week later. Hopefully that does not happen with The Corre, as they are a much better team than Kozlov and Santino.

But that worries me... how many times have we seen these two teams compete? The finish was predictable, and no emphasis was given on how this match could earn them a tag team championship match in the near future.


Drew McIntyre defeated Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston (Non-title; Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match)

In a night with very few good in-ring performances, I will have to choose this as Match of the Night. This match, unlike the Swagger vs. Mysterio, had a suspense factor to it. Both competitors had a legitimate chance of entering the chamber in three weeks.

We haven't seen this match done in a while, so it wasn't overkill. The finish was predictable, but I am looking forward to a mini-feud between Del Rio and Kingston in the mean time.


Rey Mysterio defeated Jack Swagger (Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match)

Solid contest, but predictable. I like Swagger's character, but he just can't be taken seriously anymore in these kind of matches. His momentum has not gone anywhere but down.

Mysterio's involvement in the Elimination Chamber was logical, but I would of like Swagger entered in the championship picture rather than McIntyre. Other than that, this two work very well together and put on a quality match.


Alberto Del Rio's Royal Rumble Celebration

We already saw the celebration done onRAW, so this repeat didn't feel as special. And since the second I saw Hornswoggle, I knew this would turned into a joke.

Surprisingly enough, it wasn't. Hornswoggle played a nice role in taking beating to Del Rio. It gets good heat on the 2011 Royal Rumble winner, and advanced this new rivalry with Kingston.


Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero (Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match)

Obviously, it was a squash. What else would you expect? It was confusing to cheer/boo since both of them are heels technically, but Guerrero showed face antics at the Royal Rumble while Kane turned on Del Rio last week.

It was a logical win for Kane, but couldn't he have faced someone with a little more value? But hey, Chavo got on television!


Wade Barrett w/ The Corre defeated Big Show (Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match)

The match was nothing special due to the two minute limit it received. These two put on a decent showing a few weeks ago, and that wasn't the case last night.

The Corre interference was logical, but at least Barrett picks up a much needed victory for a chance at the World Title. As for the post-match, I am looking forward to seeing more of Ezekiel Jackson as his skills are improving immensely.


World Heavyweight Champion Edge and Kelly Kelly defeated Dolph Ziggler and Lay-Cool (3-on-2 Mixed Tag Team Match for the World Heavyweight Championship)

The match itself was decent, but the stipulation was not. Defending the World title in a handicap match, with Divas involved no less, makes the belt seem worthless. I can't imagine what Booker was thinking when he heard this match was taking place.

I would of liked to see more of Edge and Ziggler in rather than the Divas, but Kelly did gain some credibility in this match. The finish was nicely done, but having her fired immediately after the match is supposed to leave us thinking what is next for Kelly, but I personally do not care.


Final Review

Nothing memorable or special about this episode. It was successful in promoting Elimination Chamber in three weeks, but what's the point if we already know Edge will retain to face Del Rio at Mania? Most of the matches from this edition were lackluster, but at least each one had a meaning.

I am looking forward to seeing a rematch from Edge and Ziggler for the World Title next week, but having the title defended again makes the match seem predicable on who will win the match. However, it should be interesting with Vickie's participation in the contest.