WWE Smackdown Review (November 25, 2011)

Smackdown was in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania this week. There were five matches not including Daniel Bryan's failed Money in the Bank cash-in on Mark Henry. The match started while Mark Henry was knocked out so Teddy Long rightfully threw out the match. Mark Henry is still the World Heavyweight Champion and Daniel Bryan gets to keep his Money in the Bank briefcase.

Justin Gabriel vs. Hunico

This match was nothing special. There was some good spots from Justin Gabriel but I might have enjoyed this match a little bit more if it was a little bit longer. 

Winner: Hunico

Rating: **

Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. AJ & Kaitlyn

Another boring divas match. AJ and Kaitlyn got in some good offense but Natalya won this match by herself. Beth Phoenix never entered the match. It wasn't a horrible match but it's a match that was on Smackdown last week. I'm okay with rematches but not rematches of mediocre matches. It's like when awful movies get a sequel.

Winners: Beth Phoenix & Natalya

Rating: *

Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger vs. Sheamus & Zack Ryder 

Wow, this was a really good tag team match. I loved the story of this match. Ziggler and Swagger were working great together and did a good job stopping Sheamus and Ryder from tagging each other. Ziggler and Swagger are a great tag team. If the WWE decides to put the tag team titles on them, I think those guys could help make the tag team division strong again. I'm not really a Zack Ryder fan but he's so over with the fans. The fans were hot for this match mostly because of Ryder and that made the match more exciting. The fans were really excited when Ryder picked up the win. If you love tag team wrestling, I think you will love this match. This was a great match-up. It's always fun to watch Ziggler and Swagger but I was also impressed with Sheamus and Zack Ryder. This was definitely one of the best tag team matches I've seen on Smackdown this year.

Winners: Sheamus & Zack Ryder

Rating: ***1/2

Ted DiBiase vs. Heath Slater

This was Health Slater's first Smackdown match since he was suspended on October 17. Prior to this match, Slater's last match was a Superstars match that aired on October 20. Slater has been gone for over a month and I don't think anyone missed him. Poor Health Slater. He's just a spoke on the WWE wheel and the wheel kept turning without him. As for the match, it was decent. There wasn't many good spots in the match. DiBiase had another good performance and he continues to win. DiBiase deserves a shot at the Intercontinental Championship soon.

Winner: Ted DiBiase

Rating: **1/4

Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes vs Wade Barrett (#1 Contender's Fatal Four Way Match)

This was a good match but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I would have liked to see all four superstars in the ring at the same time more often during the match. I'm glad to see Daniel Bryan win. Daniel Bryan will face Mark Henry in a steel cage on a live Smackdown this Tuesday. That should be a great match.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Rating: ***

Best Match: Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger vs. Sheamus & Zack Ryder

All four men did a great job in this match. The fans loved Zack Ryder and good crowds make matches more enjoyable so Ryder should continue to be on the card for every Smackdown for the rest of 2011. I'm not a Zack Ryder fan but he's good for business right now. The WWE might soon regret not adding him to the Survivor Series match card because I'm sure the crowd reaction for him in New York City during the U.S. Championship match would have been amazing. I think the crowd reaction for CM Punk at Money in the Bank increased DVD sales and I think the same could have happened if Ryder had a match at Survivor Series. 

Worst Match: Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. AJ & Kaitlyn 

The divas matches aren't that bad. This match was simply the worst of the five matches on Smackdown. The match might have been better if Beth was tagged into the match.