ECW & Smackdown Notes: Hardys, Regal, Titles
It's hard to say where ECW or Smackdown are heading but after this week we may have a few glimpses into what's in store. I'll start off with ECW, which presented a new ECW title contender out of nowhere, and seems to be failing a bit with its latest superstar initiative.
On the past week's ECW we got introduced to the new #1 title contender, Sir William Regal. It was surprising in that he didn't really win a big match before the announcement. In fact, he had a main event against Dreamer later in the show, which he won. I've never been a huge Regal fan, although I can respect he's put in a lot of work and is well respected in the WWE ranks. Still I'd rather see Shelton capture the ECW title next. If it were up to me, I would have set up a Fatal Fourway involving Regal, Dreamer, Zack Ryder and Shelton Benjamin. If I were to choose one of those four, I'd love to see a Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian program, and think many other fans might enjoy that as well. You'd also have to wonder why Vlad Kozlov and Zeke Jackson aren't even eligible for top contender status. Guess squashing 10 amateur wrestlers is not as major as Regal winning against newcomer Yoshi Tatsu.
The Abraham Washington Show is a pretty good idea that draws some good heat from the crowd, and at times he reminds me of a former WWF character, Brother Love. Brother Love was like a televangelist type talk show interviewer who would annoyingly say "I Looooove You" to get the crowd booing. Washington does his "thank you, thank you, thank you" quite the same and he draws some good heat as well. His shows are a good way to promote current feuds or upcoming PPV matches for ECW. I can see him crossing over onto Raw and Smackdown for this as well. What really set this week's Washington show off was when Christian stopped joking and cut a serious threatening promo to Washington to stop with the jokes. I was ready for Abe to either attack Jeff or bring out some new wrestler from FCW to take him out. Maybe even become Ezekiel Jackson's frontman. Instead, he introduced Regal as previously mentioned and Regal got into Christian's face. I'm still not sure if Abraham will be wrestling, but he's got the size for it, and definitely annoys opponents. Maybe he will become a manager.
While the Abraham Washington idea has goood potential, unfortunately the other newer ECW stars seem to be faltering. Not that they aren't talented, but the fans aren't too interested yet. One case is Tyler Reks, who I really don't see going very far. Yoshi Tatsu has the similar appeal of a Funaki-Tajiri style guy, but will he really be winning titles? We've also got Sheamus, who has the size and look of a wrestler but needs to work on his gimmick and speaking skills. Between him and Kozlov, they waste valuable mic time by speaking incoherently. Speaking of Kozlov, let's hope he and Zeke Jackson get it on in a real match soon, as the staredowns and who can do the slam move best has become repetitive. Goldust seems to be fitting in nicely since moving to ECW, and The Bella Twins get something to do besides their nails backstage (guest ring announce).
Now for Smackdown, where I don't know what to expect with Matt Hardy. I say this because he turned against Jeff once, so why would twice be out of the question here? He could potentially find a way to cost Jeff the title yet again, or he could sincerely reunite with him and the Hardys could make a run at Big Show and Jericho for the Unified titles. Seems like an accolade the Hardys deserve on their impressive resumes. But, possibly Matt wants a shot at Jeff's World Heavyweight Title too? As of the end of last night's Smackdown, it seems all's good in Hardyville as he helped Jeff up, and the duo stood side by side with John Morrison after fighting off CM Punk and the Harts.
Which brings us to John Morrison...The guy's got major talent, and if anyone should be wearing the title belt it's him right now. I have this bad feeling WWE will give him the IC title somehow, by defeating Dolph Ziggler. He really needs a major title, and WWE needs to give him a push early. Why keep working on it for months, when he's already oohing and ahhing with his moves. He has quick paced offense and puts in work. He's held the IC title, the ECW title, the tag titles several times. Seems destined for the big title, but how long will he and the fans have to wait? Maybe a big Wrestlemania moment?
That said, the two guys most deserving of major titles right now (if you call ECW's title major) are Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison. Both these guys have been relatively clean and put in top notch efforts in their matches with great athletic abilities. Why not reward them? Feel free to agree/disagree in the comments below.
On the past week's ECW we got introduced to the new #1 title contender, Sir William Regal. It was surprising in that he didn't really win a big match before the announcement. In fact, he had a main event against Dreamer later in the show, which he won. I've never been a huge Regal fan, although I can respect he's put in a lot of work and is well respected in the WWE ranks. Still I'd rather see Shelton capture the ECW title next. If it were up to me, I would have set up a Fatal Fourway involving Regal, Dreamer, Zack Ryder and Shelton Benjamin. If I were to choose one of those four, I'd love to see a Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian program, and think many other fans might enjoy that as well. You'd also have to wonder why Vlad Kozlov and Zeke Jackson aren't even eligible for top contender status. Guess squashing 10 amateur wrestlers is not as major as Regal winning against newcomer Yoshi Tatsu.
The Abraham Washington Show is a pretty good idea that draws some good heat from the crowd, and at times he reminds me of a former WWF character, Brother Love. Brother Love was like a televangelist type talk show interviewer who would annoyingly say "I Looooove You" to get the crowd booing. Washington does his "thank you, thank you, thank you" quite the same and he draws some good heat as well. His shows are a good way to promote current feuds or upcoming PPV matches for ECW. I can see him crossing over onto Raw and Smackdown for this as well. What really set this week's Washington show off was when Christian stopped joking and cut a serious threatening promo to Washington to stop with the jokes. I was ready for Abe to either attack Jeff or bring out some new wrestler from FCW to take him out. Maybe even become Ezekiel Jackson's frontman. Instead, he introduced Regal as previously mentioned and Regal got into Christian's face. I'm still not sure if Abraham will be wrestling, but he's got the size for it, and definitely annoys opponents. Maybe he will become a manager.
While the Abraham Washington idea has goood potential, unfortunately the other newer ECW stars seem to be faltering. Not that they aren't talented, but the fans aren't too interested yet. One case is Tyler Reks, who I really don't see going very far. Yoshi Tatsu has the similar appeal of a Funaki-Tajiri style guy, but will he really be winning titles? We've also got Sheamus, who has the size and look of a wrestler but needs to work on his gimmick and speaking skills. Between him and Kozlov, they waste valuable mic time by speaking incoherently. Speaking of Kozlov, let's hope he and Zeke Jackson get it on in a real match soon, as the staredowns and who can do the slam move best has become repetitive. Goldust seems to be fitting in nicely since moving to ECW, and The Bella Twins get something to do besides their nails backstage (guest ring announce).
Now for Smackdown, where I don't know what to expect with Matt Hardy. I say this because he turned against Jeff once, so why would twice be out of the question here? He could potentially find a way to cost Jeff the title yet again, or he could sincerely reunite with him and the Hardys could make a run at Big Show and Jericho for the Unified titles. Seems like an accolade the Hardys deserve on their impressive resumes. But, possibly Matt wants a shot at Jeff's World Heavyweight Title too? As of the end of last night's Smackdown, it seems all's good in Hardyville as he helped Jeff up, and the duo stood side by side with John Morrison after fighting off CM Punk and the Harts.
Which brings us to John Morrison...The guy's got major talent, and if anyone should be wearing the title belt it's him right now. I have this bad feeling WWE will give him the IC title somehow, by defeating Dolph Ziggler. He really needs a major title, and WWE needs to give him a push early. Why keep working on it for months, when he's already oohing and ahhing with his moves. He has quick paced offense and puts in work. He's held the IC title, the ECW title, the tag titles several times. Seems destined for the big title, but how long will he and the fans have to wait? Maybe a big Wrestlemania moment?
That said, the two guys most deserving of major titles right now (if you call ECW's title major) are Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison. Both these guys have been relatively clean and put in top notch efforts in their matches with great athletic abilities. Why not reward them? Feel free to agree/disagree in the comments below.
Labels: Abraham Washington, Christian, CM Punk, Commentary, ECW Title, Jeff Hardy, John Morrison, Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal
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