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I liked this show. I really enjoyed it. Aside from 3 segments that I could have done with out - which I will actually get to first - I actually think this PPV was a HUGE step in the right direction for Smackdown.
Ok: The Bad
1). MVP. Unless they are working towards an angle where MVP is "picking" his own opponents I really could not have thought of a more worthless debut match. It wasn't so much that he squashed someone, that is to be expected in WWE's "Debut" formula...It's that you bring in someone with absolutely no name value on a PPV! Ok, introduce a new guy on Smackdown - I could see it, but on a program I paid 40 Bucks for? Are you telling me Funaki or Scotty2Hotty couldn't have used a PPV bonus? Big Props to the crowd for the "Power Ranger" chant at MVP. I especially liked it because it coincided with JBL's commentary calling him the same thing...
2). MIZ. I hated this segment. Layla is definitely a hottie-boom-ba-lattie but Miz is terrible...I don't think people know if he is a face, a heel, a wrestler or just a cameo. I hate the fat stripper, I hate that he writes himself into the storyline. I would have thought a better surprise for the "paying customer" would have been for Tatanka to be under the box to lay Miz out for sneaking by him 2 weeks in a row... but just me.
3). VITO. Let me stop here before I start. I actually have always been a big fan of Vito dating back years...I don't mind his new gimmick - he certainly is making the most use of a man wrestling in a dress that I have ever seen. My reason for listing it as a "bad" is that WHY is Vito Jumping rope backstage when he isn't on the show and WHY is Vito needing a Shower from jumping rope and, NOT being on the show...finally - WHY wasn't Vito used against Regal when all night they were building up to it? DO NOT MISTAKE ME - I am thrilled I got to see Benoit and Regal go at it last night, and I understand that they needed fodder for Regal's bumbling heel character but...ah whatever.
Ok: The Good
Everything else! Helms and Hardy worked their butts off and delivered an awesome opener that really set the tone of the show. The Tag Title Match was the best Tag Team match I have seen on Smackdown in a LONG TIME! I really enjoyed the work and even got a slip of Michelle McCool's top! No serious, I loved the finish of the match...Ashley actually showed some fire too!
I thought Taker and Kennedy had a very solid match, and I really feel like Taker brought Kennedy up a level. Although it wasn't a Tombstone (Michael Cole) that Piledriver looked great and so did a lot of what Kennedy did last night...Taker did bump for Kennedy too and the selling of the face wash kick really told a good story of exhaustion. The Finish - ok that was a let down but having Taker lay out everyone at least made it a little more "Taker has had enough" of an explanation.
Rey and Chavo had a great little hardcore match...with the mute button on. I decided to give this a chance without having to listen to the whole Garbage Storyline again, and I really liked the wrestling. Some of those shots looked vicious and I really think that even though Rey won it showed a lot of people what Chavo is made of and I think it was a great step for Chavo to continue to have a solid spot on the card. Vicky is just terrible. The shrills, the facials, the non-believable pointing that "Chavo is the man"... also Vicky might be a lovely person and be rather attractive in person but when she is the 4th Diva out and she looks the way she does compared to Michelle McCool, Layla and Ashley - to say the least Vicky's weaknesses are apparent. I really liked this match on mute.
Benoit and Regal. Awesome. I have seen better matches when the two have hooked up in the past, but for coming off of a 5 month layoff I would say Benoit laid it down. Just very refreshing, and very cool. I didn't "know" Benoit would be on the show, but I "knew" if you know what I mean.
The Main Event was Head and Shoulders better than I thought it would be. It told a solid story and in a match designed to have a bunch of spots, false finishes and lag time...I think it delivered. I like that Booker kept the title, I would have liked to seen him not steal a pin but I liked how it was Lashley that cost Batista the belt...I think Batista and Lashley squaring off is money for Smackdown...don't get me wrong they will not be 5 star classics...but I think people want to see those big bulls go at it.
I liked the show...what can I say! A Very Solid 7 out of 10.
Sean J. Weymouth
No Mercy was one of the worse PPV's. There was more commercials and segments than matches. There is not enough wrestlers on Smackdown to draw ratings. The biggest draw on the PPV was the Undertaker and that's not saying much. You no when a PPV sucks, when it involves MVP vs a scrub. If it was not for the fact that my wife works for a cable company I would not even waste my time with Smackdown PPVs.
The Awesome One
I thought the No Mercy PPV looked strong, got a few things I wasn't so happy about but overall out of the PPV's I've seen this year this is my favorite one.
Definitely worth my 40 bucks.
The match I was most disappointed with:
Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero. I saw Rey's debut match on SD vs. Chavo and the matches they've had since. This match definitely didn't live up to what it could have been but it was decent.
I have to say JBL has stepped it up a notch on commentary but he still needs some more polish.
My favorite match of the night was Chris Benoit vs Regal. I was hoping Benoit would be wrestling MVP but this match was definitely better than Benoit vs. MVP would have been. I'm really surprised that Benoit put in such a strong performance after all the time off.
Overall if someone was thinking about buying a replay I'd have to say it's worth it with a few bathroom/snack break segments thrown in there.
John Lay
