SmackDown Review: Orton Continues Gauntlet, Sound Off: Is Christian Worthy To Be In WWE HOF?

By Chris Featherstone

WWE SmackDown was presented to us from Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to Randy Orton continuing his gauntlet of wrestling every participant of the Elimination Chamber match, chamber participants Daniel Bryan and Antonio Cesaro also competed in a match scheduled by the Director of Operations, Kane.

Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose vs. Kofi Kingston/Dolph Ziggler
Of course there was no doubt who the winners of this match would be, but all four are really good competitors, so at least we saw a good match. It was interesting to see Reigns and Ambrose team together, as they are the two in the group was has the most tension toward each other. Hopefully all of this leads to a triple threat match at WrestleMania for the US title. Roman Reigns winning a midcard championship would be a great launchpad for his ascension into the main event.


Sheamus vs. Ryback
This was actually a good match, and would have been better suited for WrestleMania. Especially since Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan looks to be off the books (YES! YES! YES!), which would leave no spot for both Sheamus and Ryback. Honestly, with Ultimate Warrior vs. Ryback being thrown around, I wouldn't mind a tag team match between Sheamus/Ultimate Warrior vs. Rybaxel at WM 30. It would milk Warrior's HOF induction, and bring that nostalgia factor to the PPV without seeing him in a singles match.


Daniel Bryan vs. Antonio Cesaro
Very good match, as expected. Daniel Bryan getting the win was a good decision, as his momentum needs to continue to build heading into WrestleMania. Nice to see Cesaro showing his potential as a singles competitor again, but his alliance with Jack Swagger was the best thing that has happened to him in the WWE. It looks like they may be breaking up soon as well, with Swagger taking the babyface role. Although Swagger being a top babyface sounded good at one point in time, that train has long left.

AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella
Was not expecting to see Noami because of her injury, but this match was a bore. AJ Lee has the crown of being the longest reigning Divas champions now, but the reign has not been spectacular in the slightest bit. I can not quite pinpoint what it is, seeing how AJ is a good athlete, and there are other Divas that are good in the ring (Natalya, Naomi, Brie Bella, Tamina Snuka). If I had to pick something it would be the storyline writing. Quite abysmal.

Bray Wyatt vs. Goldust
Now I might get some stones thrown at me for this, but I think Goldust and Bray Wyatt would have been a pretty good feud. Both can play off their bizarre character like they did in the ring, and from what we saw, they work well together. I understand that many people wanted to see the Shield vs. the Wyatt Family happen, but it is just a filler match that will last only until Elimination Chamber. I am not sold on Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena at the biggest PPV of WWE history. Especially since Bray (although he is good on the mic and in the ring) has not reached a main event level whatsoever.


Randy Orton vs. Christian
These two always deliver in their matches against each other, and this one was no different. Christian was expected to lose, but he always show that he is one of the most talented wrestlers in the WWE. Sadly, with the World Heavyweight Championship no longer a solo option, Christian's "One More Match" mantra is as pointless as him in the Elimination Chamber match.

Which poses an interesting question I raised on my previous show: Does Christian have the WWE career worthy to be inducted in the Hall of Fame? Sound off below.

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