WWE SmackDown Review: Chris Jericho dodges Edge's spear

Instead of doing the blog as a play-by-play with opinions, I'm going to offer strictly my thoughts on the show as it unfolds. Anybody can see the show as it unfolds, but nobody is going to think about the show exactly the same. Plus, it might shorten up the length a little bit.

SmackDown in Review

CM Punk continues to dominate on the microphone, displaying his singing skills tonight while wishing Rey Mysterio's daughter a happy birthday. With the exception of the short Tiffany vs. Michelle McCool bout, all the angles that aired here had WrestleMania implications.

Drew McIntyre has weaseled his way into Money in the Bank, and R-Truth's defeat of the Miz was evened up with The Big Show's dominance of John Morrison. Even Kane's match with Luke Gallows was something of a set-up for Rey Mysterio to come get some of Punk.

And Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel closed when he got the advantage over Edge's spear. This should've happened the first time when the spear got super popular, but whatever.

SmackDown: Shot by Shot

Only wrestling fans would chant, "Hap-py birth-day, clap, clap, clap-clap-clap."

Man, I wish I could grow CM Punk's beard. One of these days...

Punk makes a nice reference to us watching Mysterio's son Dominic grow up before our eyes. I remember Dominic in 2005 about the age his sister probably is now for his dad's feud with Eddie Guerrero.

Seeing R-Truth pass the mic to the white dude with backwards hat and a mustache was hilarious. As was the trashy looking guy with the beard and hat that looked like he just came in from smoking a square and jonesing for some dip.

I like how Truth brought David Otunga out with him, as the Miz was also joined by a reluctant Daniel Bryan. Nice NXT integration into the shows. But what happened after Tuesday when Miz said he didn't want anything to do with Bryan anymore?

R-Truth's "Lie Detector" finisher looks like it hurts Truth way more than Miz.

I can't help but think that WWE kind of blew it with the Miz and John Morrison. They had one match and never really followed up. I just don't think a tag match with interim tag teams is the best way to go about it.

I'm so stoked for Stone Cold Steve Austin to guest host RAW this coming Monday. Without a doubt one of my favorite entertainers.

I love that they are giving more attention to the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels program this year. Between the Johnny Cash's "Ain't No Grave" and the WWE superstars talking about this match, it definitely has a lot to live up to.

I wonder if this Aaron Bolo dude is going to work for WWE more often. I hope they told him to throw his elbows out before he lost to Drew. If not and he's winning MMA fights, his competition must really suck not to attack those ribs right away.

The pyro that has been added to Morrison's slow-mo intro is a really cool visual.

Is Bret Hart ever going to help give the rub to the Hart Dynasty?

It was at Cryme Tyme was entering when MyNetworkTV cut to a commercial break and reverted back to Big Show's match with John Morrison. They finally came back to promote WrestleMania rewind and Michelle McCool vs. Tiffany.

According to spoilers, the Undertaker spoiled the match by taking out all four individuals.

Tiffany's wearing a white pleated skirt, possibly my least favorite piece of attire on a woman. Actually, I take that back. It's not my least favorite. Ugg boots and sweatpants are. I wonder who the hell started that look in the first place, and why so many college girls settled with it.

I like how Vickie Guerrero ran straight to the back after being nailed by Beth Phoenix. It was different than the usual formula of "heel looks on from the entrance ramp as face stays in the ring."

Luke Gallows looks like he got his idea for ring attire from the Truth Commission.

Matt Striker says, "It's almost like Kane vs. Bizarro Kane." Is he aware that this actually happened a few years ago?

Matt also says Chris Jericho "slithered" out of the Elimination Chamber with the title. Isn't that verb trademarked to Monday Night RAW in reference to Randy Orton? Or at least, to Michael Cole?

I guess one of my main gripes with the WrestleMania title matches is the focus on the heel champions (Chris Jericho and Batista) targeting the injuries the faces (Edge and John Cena) have suffered along the way. Both Jericho and Batista have uttered the phrase, "bad things happen to you" when each is in the ring with their opponent.

Why focus on the spear? I mean honestly. Batista uses it too. It's not like it's exclusive to Edge.

After that title shot, I couldn't help but think - if there's one advantage to the PG rating, it prevents the misuse of blood. I think whenever we see blood on WWE TV again, it'll be that much more impressive. Seeing it every week watered it down. Take note, TNA.