To almost everyone, Melina and Michelle‘s match at Night of Champions exceeded expectations. Realistically, it would be tough to top that, and with the WWE’s tendency to follow up gold with crap, it’s pretty likely that this week’s SmackDown would disappoint. But does it? Are they continuing the Michelle/Melina feud, or are they moving on? Let’s take a look and see for ourselves:
As Melina makes her way to the ring, Michelle hightails it, demonstrating more of that “cowardly heel” shtick that I kind of wish they’d drop. Still, it’s great to see them keep up appearances and showing that things between them are far from over, with Michelle waving her title in Melina’s face like a T-bone to a cartoon pooch. Oh yeah, and Eve and Layla are there too. I couldn’t help but notice during Eve’s entrance that she got a really nice pop. Like, surprisingly good. It could just be canned cheers, but I was pretty impressed.
Layla and Melina start the match, and as they grapple for a moment, it’s clear that Melina has no interest in this opponent. She quickly disposes of Layla and turns for Michelle, who darts away. Layla takes advantage of this distraction to attack her, getting a bit of offense in before Melina takes her drown with an arm drag and tags in Eve. The two do a nice double-team move before Melina runs out of the ring at the referee’s protests (quite a change from her heel days, no?). Eve them performs quite a labored scoop slam (holding for applause?) for a two-count. Eve hits a dropkick, and some awkward exchanges later, Eve ends up on the second rope at the turnbuckle, her back to a standing Layla. Wait, what was she setting up for? Layla seems to be just as perplexed, kicking Eve and sending her to the mat. Layla tags in Michelle, who manhandles Eve a bit, a leg drop earning her a two-count.
Michelle traps Eve in a sleeper hold, turning to smile at Melina as she seethes on the apron. They’re telling a story, and it’s refreshing to see tension being displayed like this. It’s unique, and it helps make the feud feel that much more important. Eve struggles to free herself, sprawling on the mat and eventually getting to her feet, a hotshot to the chin finally loosening Michelle’s grip. Both girls tag out, and not it’s Melina and Layla. Melina takes Layla down with a few clotheslines and a flapjack maneuver. She bounces off the ropes and kicks Layla in the face, landing in a split. Impressive display of flexibility or showboating? You be the judge.
Melina sets Layla up for the Primal Scream when Michelle comes out of NOWHERE, planting a kick to Melina’s chin. With that, the match breaks loose, Eve dropkicking Michelle out the of the ring and Michelle returning the favor with a kick of her own, knocking Eve’s lights out. Layla tags in Michelle, who appears to set Melina up for the Faithbreaker. Melina uses her momentum to reverse the move into the Last Call, flipping them both forward like a pinwheel and planting the back of Michelle’s head on the mat. One, two three! Michelle doesn’t move a muscle, out cold, and Melina looks pretty stunned herself and she and Eve celebrate the win.
The match was as if it was put on fast-forward, with everything accelerated for the take of time (I’m assuming). Still, it wasn’t a poor match by any regard. Layla and Eve seemed a bit uncomfortable at times, but it by no means looked horrible. All the objectives were met, and with the minuscule time given every girl did her part, especially Michelle and Melina, who with a few simple glares extended their feud past its expiration date. The ending was particularly cool, as it came out of nowhere and utilized both Divas’ strengths to combine into a snappy finish. It’s clear that Michelle and Melina bring out the best in each other, so needless to say, I’m happy as a clam that this feud’s still chugging along.
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39 Comments
Average match, wasn’t bad at all, but it was a little worse than the last Michelle/Layla V.S. Melina/Eve.
Melina looked great, Michelle was the star in this match for me, Layla wasn’t as good as usual, but she was not as bad as Eve. Eve hasn’t change my mind yet, she looks way to umconfortable…
6/10 match, when it was Michelle/Melina it looked good [can't get tired of seein them both go at it], when it was Eve/Layla it looked a little sloppy and slow, but I’ve seen way worse…
GOD!Melina is so good on the ring , I just can’t describe this woman…SHE IS AWESOME!Layla is improving , she is already a good heel, so is Michelle , who is a great heel.I agree with Pedro on Eve.For me , she is so sloppy and slow.I mean , just beacuse you can do a Moonsault doesn’t mean you’re one of the best on the business.Her Handspring Moonsault is VERY impressive , but she needs to learn how to move and how to make simple moves look cool.I hate her Scoop Slam.
Ow , I forgot…Erin , you’re very good on the redux!Congrats :D
This match was actually really good considering the amount of time,and ESPECIALLY the ending.The ending was what made the match for me.And I’m talking about when Michelle kicked Melina in the face with,my favorite move of her arsenal,her big boot.I love that move SO much!It’s not a typical diva’s move,and it can change the tide of the match so easily,it makes for great entertainment.So yeah,this match was still up to Smackdown standards for me.
Ps.Erin,the move Melina hit at the end of the match on Michelle WAS the Last Call.I think her inverted split-legged drop is called the Primal Scream itself.
@ Alexandre – I agree 100% with you, people are all crazy on her finisher…it’s a really great finisher for a diva, but that doesn’t mean she’s an overall good in-ring worker!! She over-sells [looks "too much in pain"], her moveset is generic [in a bad way...] and she looks confused in the ring, she moves around slowly and the basic moves look horrid done by her [arm drags, dropkicks and that horrid scoop slam...]! If you ask me, she’s nothing special, she’s not “the one to watch” leave that title to Alicia Fierce. I really don’t want Eve to get near the championship!! Bring Serena as a face, bring Angela, bring “Gloria Marie”, bring freakin Beverly!! If Eve becomes champion before Natalya, I’ll RIOT!
I really enjoyed this match. Would have liked to have seen a bit more offence from Eve and Layla, and a bit more presence, but I thought all four ladies did very well. I think these four have set the bench mark for the entire wwe divas roster of late. Definitely the premier women’s division. I just wish Alicia and Gail were still on smackdown with them. Alicia is just going to get lost in the crowd on raw i fear…
Melina seemed to have completely warmed to her role as face as of late. I mean, I’ve always liked her anyway, but I admit that initially she looked sort of uncomfortable and out of her element (well, post-injury…she was brilliant back in mid-2008). Now it’s like all of a sudden she’s come into her own. She’s not your typical good girl-next-door, but she’s still very likable.
As for the match…the finish was very nice. Melina once again proves that she’s better than her division, McCool was solid, and Layla and Eve were just awkward to watch.
*seems
match was pretty ok with some good spots
hopefully they continue the Melina Michelle fued its fun to watch ring-wise
but then again they need a story with this fued or else it will get stale
Eve needs to go back to FCW …NOW.I’m starting to like Layla in the past few weeks , she is impressive as heel.Melina and Michelle were the stars of this match , easy.
There’s anyone from Brazil here??
:D
@ Alexandre – I’m from Portugal :P
I thought the match was good. Layla didn’t have a good night IMO, she wasn’t that very good, maybe hanging out with Ortiz affected her. Eve was alright but not as good as she usually is. Michelle was okay but I really hate what has happaned to her. Before she won the title she was great as a heel, she was willing to get dirty, but the moment she won it she became the cowardly cocky diva. Sounds Familar dosen’t it. Melina was once again fantastic and really did well. There was no such thing as a counter to the Faith Breaker, I saw plainly that Michelle was not trying to hit the Faith Breaker, it looked like she was trying a Widow’s Peak. I love the name for Melina’s finisher, The Primal Scream works well especially how she screams before it happens.
Overall a good match but nothing special, the only thing is Melina beating Michelle which I hope leads to Melina getting a rematch in her hometown at Summerslam which leads to her winning the championship. Because simply Michelle is a better chaser.
I thought the match was good for what time they had. ALL four women did good.
To the Eve haters out there, I’ve got a little message for you: I don’t recall ANYONE on here saying that Eve is the one of the best in the business right now. I’m an Eve-olver (Eve fan), but even I know she’s not one of the best right now. She’s definitely the breakout star of Smackdown, and possible all of the WWE, in terms of Divas. She’s standing her ground and attempting to learn what she can. It’s clear that she is wanting to improve and be better. If she wasn’t, I’d understand the hate. She’s on her way, and I hope she doesn’t goof it up. That’s how I feel about it, and I’m sticking to it.
Again, you are more than entitled to your own opinion on her. That’s what makes this site (and wrestling in general) fun and exciting at times.
WOW Why all the Eve hate? She wasn’t even in the match that much, but yet people will bitch about the littlest things she does. Like C-Ray said, noone on here said she was the best but she is learning and she has improved. Shes not going to put on a great match everytime samething with Layla. Everyone has their off days.
Oh and Alexandre Eve still trains at FCW and at Gracie Academy.
I DONT HATE EVE !!
I think she’s not as good as people say she is…she’s way better than Maria…but in comparison to LAYLA and ALICIA or KATIE LEA and JILLIAN…
I don’t think I heard this cheers for Alicia, why does Eve get so much love and Alicia Fierce doesn’t????? BECAUSE OF EVES BEEING OVERRATED AS HELL !!!
Layla is much better than Eve in-ring wise, yet Torres is considered the best Diva Search Winner ever…not true, Layla is better and Christy is probably at the same level!!
Eve is just one good finisher, lacking in-ring skills and charisma and with big BLAND personality…not to mention those awkward moves in the ring…
TrishMelinaFan – Thanks. I really need to brush up on my finisher names. :P I’m just getting used to covering SD matches, I guess.
I don’t understand the Eve hate here!!! I think Eve is getting better every time I see her. Everyone has there opinion on they believe are improving.
As for the match it wasn’t the best that I’ve seen, Everyone i pretty much cared for was average and had a off night( LOL) But maybe next week :D (Love yall Eve and Layla).
P.S Maria what the hell!?
Alexandre – I don’t think anyone’s calling Eve one of the best in the business. People are simply saying that she’s improved. She was a Diva Search winner and she went from just being eye-candy to be an overall ‘decent’, not incredible, but ‘decent’ wrestler.
“but she needs to learn how to move and how to make simple moves look cool.I hate her Scoop Slam.”
She’s learning each week that she steps foot inside of the ring. You can’t expect for a Diva Search winner to be the best overnight. It’s going to take her sometime to perfect a Scoop Slam and other moves that you call ‘simple’ moves, but I don’t think that any of the moves that these wrestlers do are ‘simple.’ Calling any move ‘simple’ just isn’t the right word for it. To us, the viewers, some can make certain moves look easy while others can make those same moves look horrible – no one’s perfect, and I don’t think that anyone is any way calling Eve perfect in the ring. She’s just impressing a lot of people by her quick learning.
It was a good match. Nothing spectacular, but solid all the same.
I can fully understand why people are frustrated with Eve, I am a little myself given that I’d love for Jillian to be taking the role that Eve is. However, as long as Eve keeps improving the way she is, I have nothing negative to say about her.
She seems to be a little apprehensive in the ring, but what rookie wouldn’t be when thrust into the ring with the likes of Melina and Michelle?
If Eve keeps up her training, and continues to get better in the ring, then I have nothing but respect for her, and frankly, wish her luck.
Erin – Good job on the Smackdown Redux by the way.
Eve is improving, but she’s still not really able to work a proper match yet, she’s got a long way to go, I just hope they don’t put the Womens title on her, she will get a lot of backlash no doubt if Michelle and Maryse last year are anything to go by.
The Match was awesome!I loved teh counter Melina did.
I also dont understand why there is so much heat on eve. I dont have a problem with eve she has improved but she is not the best.YET!. So some people who saying she is slow paced that is how she will be as of rite now.So dont waste time saying ur getting frustrated with eve she is trying the best that she can.And also i dont think Eve over-sells if she didnt theb half of you would have been saying she is a bad seller. I dont know what match she over selled.
Also Pedro I think Eve’s finisher is great.She is a young Women who hasnt had that much wrestling BG and she can do an amazing moonsault.Thats is why every one praises her finisher.You dont see many divas today doing moonsaults besides Victoria.
@ Goodnightddtmnm – Her finisher is great, it’s her moveset that annoys me, and yes, she’s very slow paced!! I never stated the fact that she’s trying her best or not, probably all of them try their best. But in the end, it’s about entertainement, and Eve doesn’t entertain me!!
Erin-Sure thing,plus your doing an AWESOME job on the redux.Gotta love the comedy,but you could make Melina look a little more awesome than she already does, ;-).Lol.Didn’t think so.
On the Eve thing
~Eve is a little uncomfortable in the ring
~Eve does need a better arsenal
~Eve needs a better personality
BUT ALSO
~Eve is a rookie
~Eve has a great finisher
~And Eve has years ahead of her to learn
And those aren’t just my opinions,those are the FACTS,;-).
I liked this match, although it has been done so many times before it was a little different this time. When Melina pinned Michelle it was kind of a “yay” and “she finally got her moment”, which was quite entertaining in itself. Im liking these four at the moment, im sure Layla could do more if she was allowed to. Still to make things original they should bring Jillian and/or Katie Lea to Smackdown.
The match plodded for the first 3/4 and then kicked into high gear when Michelle booted Melina, followed by the awesome Faithbreaker into Last Call.
First off, I want to apologize for how my earlier comment came out. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. All I did was state my opinion, which is NOT or never will be FACT (unlike others).
But I will comment on the following:
~Eve is a little uncomfortable in the ring (She doesn’t seem as confident in the ring as others, but keep in mind, she’s only been wrestling regularly as of late and has been there for what, a year and no indy training?)
~Eve does need a better arsenal (I agree. She’s fast, she’s athletic, and from what I’ve heard, she’s strong for her size. I would like to see her add some more moves to set her apart from the others)
~Eve needs a better personality (Hmm…If it were me, I’d use her name and build her personality from there. With her name, she could come out with a fruit (forbidden fruit, yes, got that idea from Diva-Dirt, even though they were referring to what she should name her finisher). And call her the Forbidden Diva, or something to that effect. I don’t know.)
Again, I apologize for sparking this debate. Hope you all can forgive me. :(
i love eve. and she doesn’t look uncomfortable in the ring. if you’re all sitting there at your computers criticising her skills and efforts, why don’t you have a go
pretty good match, but i’d like to see them the matches a bit, seeing as we seem to have Michelle & Layla vs Melina & Eve every week. bring Natalya into the picture, or even the ECW divas like Katie-Lea and the Bellas, they’re not doing much.
Neither the TV commentators nor wwe homepage mentions a third title match betwenn Meilina and Michelle. also please read the write-up of the Power 25.
If Michelle stays healthy her next opponent for the title will be Eve.
C-Ray-It was just a joke dude, :(.
@WWEDivaFan09 – Wait , that wasn’t my point , I said ”simple” moves for a WRESTLER.Of course I can’t do half o what Eve , or Layla , or Tiffany , or Alicia , or Kelly , or Melina , or Michelle , or Beth , or Mickie , or Gail is doing , that’s why I don’t even try.For me , Eve isn’t a good wrestler.That’s why I think!She is bland , boring and too much overrated.And a lot of people are saying things like:”The next contender will be Eve”.I don’t wanna see Eve get closer of that title , she is CLEARLY not ready when there are Divas like Natalya and Melina on the roster.Get a shot at the title a few years ago was something SO COOL, only the best Divas could do it.Now the Championships are just jokes.Sooner or later Eve is gonna get that title ,and is gonna ruin the SD! Women’s Division.
@PedroPedroso17 – Really?Sério?Finalmente achei alguém que falasse a minha lÃngua aqui \o/
i pretty much agree with everyone, whats up with the eve hate? its been mentioned by eve on her twitter, and either here or on jrs blog that she goes to fcw every week to get train on her off days! as for people saying shes the best diva search winner, well look at her progress compared to the others at the same stage, way better than ashley and christy, and just due to that fact that shes getting more ring time than layla was, i’d say yeah shes the best winner so far. and personality wise, i think she has tons of personality and charisma, i love her segments with cryme tyme, she was a great interviewer, and shes fun!
In the Mic , Eve is great , I like her voice and her Cryme TIme’s segments :D
This match wasn’t bad, and I agree with most of you Melina and Michelle looked really good in this match as they both can wrestle.As far as Layla I think that she did ok, but I know she can do more unfortunately they don’t let her do her best. Also a lot of you have to admit this Eve sucks as a wrestler, she might be improving but that doesn’t mean that she’s good she still needs to improve a lot more, and about her moonsault appearently a lot of you liked it, but to me it sucked it still needs a lot more practice to be even close to one of Lita’s moonsaults or to be a regular good moonsault.
I felt this one was short and sweet, and it’s nice to see the SD Diva matches are still going strong even after it got hurt during the Trade; haven’t seen a bad match from the blue brand girls ever since Melina came into the picture. As a matter of fact, I think she’s the only actually holding the SD Divas right now… the glue that keeps the product stuck together.
Nevertheless, Michelle also had an impressive showing, albeit STILL showing zero character. I realize this may seem like a totally disastrous idea, but I think they need to let her hold a (gasp!) mic. In the middle of the ring. CUTTING A PROMO. I do believe this is a strong way to build up an actual personality for McCool; one promo to build up a character can wonders for any Superstar or Diva. WWE can do it, so why can’t they?
Let’s put it like this: Michelle comes into the ring bragging about her accomplishments and accolades, telling the crowd she’s the best in the world at what she does (oh wait, that’s Chris Jericho’s line…), that she will always be a better wrestler than any Diva, yadda yadda yadda. Then Melina comes out, mic in hand and tells Michelle who’s REALLY boss. Burns her (the ‘Net kind of burn, mind you). Then perhaps Natalya, with the HD at hand, could enter the ring with a mic herself, and this could set up a potential three-way match at SummerSlam.
See? Not only would a promo like THAT create a potential storyline or match; it could also create personalities. And when a Diva has a personality, the fans would pay more attention to her. And when the fans pay attention to her, that means more interest.
this match was boring!
Awesome finish to the match – Luved it :P
I thought Michelle has the win then, though once she picked Melina up differently, it was obvious that Melina was going to hit her own finisher … and the power she put into it was imense :D
(P.s- I dont read spoilers)