The Redman Report: WWE Smackdown 21/2/12: “I’M THE SHOT CALLER!”By Jimmy Redman| February 24, 2012 The Redman Report Hey look, the date is a palindrome. Nifty. Also nifty? Smackdown. And Mark Henry yelling at things. Bryan out. I was expecting just a Bryan/Punk conversation before the ME, but this was fascinating. I actually enjoyed this immensely, because, even though friends change when guys turn face and heel, the idea of Miz coming out here and actually endorsing Bryan was so unexpected and brilliant. Anyway, Sheamus out, “Hold on a minute playa!” (in the ad) and we have a match. I like that they’re at least turning Miz’s downfall into an angle about how he’s obsessed with and touchy about his downfall. Sheamus vs Miz was a fun little opener. Stretch where Miz keeps up with Sheamus until finally he hits the Frosien was good. The main thing about this was how over Sheamus was during and after it. People complain about him winning the Rumble, but its already paying dividends as far as making Sheamus look like a bigger star, and to me its going to be worth it in the long run if he’s supposed to be the babyface champion for any length of time after Mania. Teddy and Ace backstage was not as fun as it was on Raw. Bugger. It seems Kofi and Truth are a real tag team now. There are worse things in the world. Oh God Dolph and Swag! This is going to rule. Well it kind of did, it just needed 10 more minutes to rule properly. As a short sprint it was super fun, and Kofi needs to be back on Smackdown yesterday. Not sure why Vickie’s Team went over though. Cant help it, enjoyed Santino’s backstage Cobra antics. This guy needs the ball. I was way too excited about the prospect of Drew vs Khali. For a two-move squash it sure was fun though. Newsflash: Big Show did a great interview. I know, I know! Seriously, he was super here threatening to kill Cody in a swimming pool, and he sure as hell aint giving up Da Crown any time soon. Not that it will be easy because MARK HENRY BITCHES! What a man. Henry vs Show, when it was a match, was so great, I loved it. More shocking news. And Henry going INSANE cussing out Show in the ring was the best part. Then Show’s comeback but “WAHHHH-OH!” Cody distracts Show with embarrassment, he turns around into HENRY but he still KICKS OUT and BAM, PUNCH OF DOOM! He doesnt bother staying for the pin though because he’s Angry Show and goes after Cody again. Non-finish aside, this was so much fun, and I dig the idea of Show/Cody for WM in some form. When they did Otunga vs Zeke again I thought for sure it was for Zeke to get a win back, but man he just got jobbed. I like to think Teddy keeps choosing Zeke because, as the proud owner of ‘Mack Militant’, he appreciates a good theme song. Punk’s promo here made him sound so much more likeable than he usually does doing his smug, drawling, arrogant put-down routine. He needs to be more like this, more good-natured and friendly. Bryan vs Punk was certainly something. As a match, or even as three matches, it was some seriously good work. Really loved everything, but especially the arm work. It was really good, the vertical elbow stomps always look nasty, and they kept it up really well throughout the match. The epic struggle for the superplex at the end was great too. I dont mind the restarts as a way to continue the GM feud, and the double pin was well done. And HOLY MOSES, Teddy and Ace! Their angry face off was really amazingly done and was more real than really a lot of attempts at this kind of thing. Ace has never looked more animated, Teddy was all about to throw down, and the jacket tossing and Teddy storming off was great. I loved it, I was begging Teddy to get into it even though Ace would Lariat his face off. That did more for this feud than everything else so far combined.
