Opening Segment:t
Sheamus comes to the ring and talks about Daniel Bryan. He is excited to main event WrestleMania and become the World Heavyweight Championship. He talks about how Bryan is similar to Sheamus when he won his first world title. Vickie and Dolph come to the ring, they talk about Dolph being in the main event, and Sheamus fires back with an old joke to Vickie. Teddy Long comes out and books Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler.
Sheamus def. Dolph Ziggler
What I Liked:
Another pairing of two great competitors and a way to show Sheamus' ability to adapt to different sized opponents. He works with Henry one week and now has a great outing against Ziggler the next. Smart for Sheamus to start on the offensive, but a cheap shot gives Ziggler the advantage. I love the transition from move to move, in between a neckbreaker from Ziggler. He is so fluent in the ring and very smooth. Sheamus with the finish on Ziggler was perfect, overcoming Swagger's interference and Vickie. A very solid match with enough time in it to spotlight the attacks from both sides. Ziggler did not look weak here either.
What I Disliked:
I wonder what Dolph will do at Mania. I like the pairing, the outcome, and the overall action, but there needs to be some interest as to what Ziggler will do in 4 weeks. He is such a great talent where a storyline of ANY needs to be put together so he is on the card. For the short term, this was done right, but why not add multiple feuds in this opening segment. Why not have Bryan be seen here either?
Grade: B+
Long and Laurinaitis are backstage arguing about Long hurting John's back on Raw. Otunga is booked in a match against Khali.
Santino Marella def. Heath Slater
What I Liked:
A typical match for Santino here. Few moves, not much else. Slater does a good job at selling and getting more heat on him so Santino can garner that huge pop. Whether you like it or hate it, Santino gets the crowd going. That is huge in having yourself booked each week.
What I Disliked:
Have this match mean something. Book the Laurinaitis vs. Long match and give this match some sort of meaning. Also, there is not much time to waste, and I felt like it was a small waste to have this right in the middle of Smackdown.
Grade: C-
