Following last week’s disastrous ‘jump rope-gate’, the pressure was on this week for SmackDown to return to form. So what better way to get back on track than giving us the match that we have been waiting for since the moment Kelly Kelly was drafted to SmackDown back in April? She finally faced off against the co-Women’s Champion, Michelle McCool. Watch below:
Out first is Kelly with her Blondetourage team mate, Tiffany followed by McCool and Layla. As they arrive at ringside, Layla gets in Tiffany’s face and out of no where, Michelle blind sides her and knocks her to the ground. Michelle then grabs Tiffany and head first, throws her into the barricade. What an intense way to kick things off! Kelly Kelly checks on her fallen comrade while Lay-Cool mock her by spraying air freshener into the arena.
As the bell rings, Michelle rolls into the ring and then rolls right back out, exclaiming: “I don’t need to do this.” Obviously a reference to the fact that she, and Layla, don’t take Kelly seriously as a challenger for their belt.
With Michelle on the outside, the referee begins his 10-count but the co-champion rolls in by four — unfortunately for her, she’s met with stomps by an agitated and feisty Kelly. Michelle gets to her feet and kicks Kelly in the mid-section, sending her right down to the mat followed by a kick to the chest. Michelle then strikes Kelly with a swift uppercut followed by a butt bump. Michelle strikes Kelly across the back before hitting her with knees; she then drives her into the corner and begins choking her out with her leg. The referee breaks things up and Michelle begins arguing with him which allows Layla to sneakily spray Kelly with the air freshener can.
Tiffany then re-appears, clotheslining Layla down to the floor and removing the can from her hands. Michelle however, grabs Tiffany’s hair through the ropes and kicks her to the mat. Once again, Tiffany takes a brutal bump to the floor outside.
Kelly, meanwhile, takes advantage of a distracted Michelle — rolling her up from behind for the 1, 2, 3.
Despite being yet another short segment, I thought this week’s SmackDown was far better than last week and actually worked in setting up storylines going forward. Kelly Kelly has now defeated both members of Lay-Cool in singles action and surely, that puts her in line for a title shot next? That’s the story that was told here and it was nicely done.
As for the match, it wasn’t the most memorable bout but I do enjoy seeing Michelle’s physical nature in the ring and she really grounded-and-pounded Kelly. I suspect, like Maria, Kelly is better served in a role of being pounded on rather than doing offense. She looks great taking a beating.
The highlight of the entire segment for me was Tiffany. Once again, she had such a small role — just standing at ringside and taking a couple of bumps — but she did her job perfectly. Both of her big bumps looked devastating and I don’t know why, but this girl takes the most jaw-dropping bumps on the outside. I wonder if that’s why they keep doing them? She just does them so well. She sells the physicality of it and looks like she’s really taken a beating. The first bump in particular, into the barricade, made me cringe a little — but that’s a testament to how believeable it looked.
Not a bad night for the SmackDown girls and it sets something up for next week and the weeks ahead. A lot has been said about Kelly inching so close to the Women’s Championship but personally, I’m not too fussed. Will she get a title shot? Yes. Do I think Kelly will be the next Women’s Champion? No. I expect this will be a stop gap until Melina is cleared to wrestle. My hunch is that she will be back on SmackDown and drive a wedge between Lay-Cool.
EDIT: As well as Kelly, it was also a big night for Straight Edge Society Diva, Serena who got a big segment with CM Punk and Kane. Watch below:
For those who haven’t been following this storyline, Kane thinks Punk is behind an attack on The Undertaker which has left him in a ‘vegetative state’. Anyway, for the past few weeks, Kane has been jonesing to get his hands on Punk but when he does this week, Serena comes out with proof that he couldn’t have attacked ‘Taker.
We see footage of Serena in a bar on the night of the attack as Punk, Luke Gallows and the mystery third member [Joey Mercury] walk in. Punk is pissed and leaves, Serena runs after him.
Anyhoo, after the footage airs, exonerating Punk, Kane leaves the ring but the Straight Edge Savior isn’t happy with Serena for exposing her relapse. “Have you any idea what you’ve done?” he screams, leaving Serena in the ring.
It will be interesting to see where they go from here — will Serena be kicked out of the Straight Edge Society? Personally, the women’s division could use her so I’d be all for it. I could definitely see her as a babyface that is bullied by Lay-Cool for not having a ‘girly’ look. And if Melina returns to SmackDown as I expect she will, the prospect of Serena, Melina and Lay-Cool will help SmackDown regain its title as the best weekly women’s wrestling on TV. The thought is salivating…
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65 Comments
Nice short but sweet column this week Melanie to reflect the short and sweet match. I loved Tiffany’s first bump, she sold it excellently and I also cringed a little, it looked like she could have genuinely done some damage to her neck, well done Tiff. Layla was as fun as ever, Michelle was as ruthless as ever and Kelly was oh, as limited as ever. Nevertheless, the segment wasn’t bad and at least Kelly acted bothered about being called names, etc, unlike Eve who isn’t bothered if she loses the Divas Title, so well done to Kelly on that front!
Tiffany was the MVP of the match and she wasn’t in it! That first bump looked sick, I had to rewind and look at it again.
Short and effective segment. I have to say the match itself was nothing special; mostly brawling and very, very little actual wrestling (maybe Kelly taking it easy?).
Michelle and Layla continue to play their parts perfectly (Layla in particular). I thought the perfume was a nice touch to this childish storyline (childish in a good way- I don’t mind the childish antics of LayCool, it sets them apart and increases the irritation level). I hope the fact that they were spraying perfume doesn’t increase the Beautiful People comparions, what with their hairspray.
Now, in FCW Tiffany never really impressed me, but she has been a shining star since arriving on Smackdown. Everything she does looks clean, crisp and she has a reason behind her actions. She is also a great-seller. Even here, she had two spots and they were the highlight of the match. She even continued to sell the neck after the match while Kelly did the smiley-smiley routine (lack of selling is something that crops up alot with the face divas). I know Kelly looks set to be the next Women’s champ, but if they put in the effort Tiffany could be a capable champ.
Melanie that was so good!
I do believe Melina will return to smackdown which I will enjoy because it will be easy to get a storyline.
People will hate Michelle and Layla so much by then that when Melina’s song comes on the fans will be on their feet. Not to mention Melina is known for attacks :P
When Melina returns they could also say “Didn’t we get rid of you just like Mickie and Beth?”
agreed, tiffany was the star of the night. i’m really worried about where this feud is going.. kelly likely won’t win the title from layla, so what happens after that? we get tiffany pushed to the front and having pretty much the same matches we’ve just seen kelly have? hopefully wwe see sense and do bring up a couple newbies.
great write-uo, but i’m disappointed you didn’t include the serena promo/possible face turn!
Melanie Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:11 am
Kaledrina — I forgot about Serena ;x I do want to talk about that. Will edit it in now.
Much better than last week that’s for sure. Tiffany can sure take a bump, I wish she was the one pushed instead of Kelly. Could we see Laycool vs. KK at MITB or a Alicia vs. Eve match. There has been a diva’s match every single ppv so far this year.
Smackdown, what’s up with the short segments?
Though short, this was an effective little piece. Kelly does take a beating well and it’s good when she’s with someone like McCool to hide her weaknesses. McCool did fine at being ruthless and just beating the crap out of both Kelly and Tiffany. As per usual, Layla shined with her comedic routine which was gold. I won’t doubt there will be more Beautiful People comparisons since she had airspray, but it made sense since they do call her “Smelly Kelly”. Tiffany is being misused right now and I can’t help but think she should be the one being pushed and Kelly should be ringside cheering her on. I still don’t buy Kelly as Women’s Championship material, she just doesn’t seem tough enough or something. Tiffany has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to be in the title picture and hang with both McCool and Layla. Make it happen WWE!
All I have to say is push Tiffany. To me she is far better than Kelly in every way. She sells very well and makes every bump she takes look like it really hurts. Plus I have her aggression(?). She is awesome. the match itself was blah but I loved Michelle’s attack on Tiffany. Outside of Tiffany nothing really stood out but I guess the segment did it’s job.
anyone else notice Tiffany busted a hole in that shirt, i thought it looked too tight on her around the shoulders, then as she left with kelly there’s a huge hole in it lol
Tiffany should start wearing flats when she accompanies Kelly to the ring she’s gonna twist her ankle in those things,
not a bad week, it’s still not as good as the usual SD, but at least there wasn’t a jump rope
I’m still in love with Tiffany. I can’t wait for her own storyline. She is going to do great things when given the chance.
sugar that is right she is far better than kelly but she needs a better attire and a face/bitchy kinda role i think tiff would rock that.
To be honest serena looks really great being bald she can rock it.
omg i hope Sarena move on to the Divas roster now, it would be great to see her finally get her in ring debut
and the kid that was holding the sign that says kelly kelly next womens tittle i dont wanna see that ever again in my life that kid is f.cken high!
I think a TIFFANY swerve is in order…. No ONE would see it coming and it actually makes sense… I wouldn’t align her with LAY-COOL but I do see her one uppin Kelly Squared…. Then again the “Former Fed” is always HEEL-HEAVY when it comes to their DIVAS
Tiffany was the star of the match, she looked hot too. Its kind of weird how I really like her now, and in ECW I couldn’t stand her. I thought her acting was horrible and I wouldn’t have cared if she got released. With that said, I’m very happy she’s still around to see her progress. Same goes for Layla. Michelle did well as usual and Kelly did her part too. I guess she’s going to be the next challenger before Melina returns to help them out? I hope she returns when I’m there live to see it on the 28th. That would make my month! =)
i agree comletely regarding serena. she could easily fit into the division as let’s be honest, it’s really lacking depth right now. if she doesn’t get into the bigger picture and feud with lay-cool (although her being hairless is a feud ready to go!), perhaps a mini feud with rosa could be good? i’m assuming they’ve both worked together in fcw and much like natalya and tamina, serena could help rosa out.. i’m just hoping they don’t remove her from tv so she can go grow her hair out.
Wow Tiff! That girl knows how to take a bump!
Ok, I officially love Tiffany. She was most definitely the highlight of the night for me, and oh my God does she know how to bump! I seriously and genuinely thought she might’ve broken her neck in that first spot! I had to rewatch it a few times. God, I live her!
@Skylar, that’s mean lol lol.
Yeah, due to CM Punk’s injury, I guess this is the route WWE is going with. And if that means Serena finally gets to wrestle, I’m down.
yeah Tiffany really is under the radar but getting notice. it’s a beautiful thing… As for Serena I am sooo looking forward to her debut. I’m just a huge fan and I believe in her.. my brazilan J trainer is tired of me discussing her and SeS lol. I’m looking forward to her future.
I agree about Kelly not being the next champion. Not when there’s still so much they can do with the Lay-Cool co-champions storyline.
Well if I want to be honest out loud..I find Serena more attractive than most divas and I really want to see her wrestle..but…with her hair too. I just don’t know how they’re going to throw her in the mix with Melina ready to return.
I really hope that Kelly doesn’t become Women’s champion! I think she is pretty and all that but after being in the WWE for like 4 years, you’d think she’d be good at wrestling a little! :( I would LOVE to see a Melina/Serena vs Lay-cool feud! That would be awesome!!!!
So let me get this straight… Kelly can pin Rosa in 10 seconds and pin the Women’s champion Layla with a finisher despite outside interference, but gets dominated by McCool the entire match and can only muster up a surprise roll up while McCool’s distracted to get the win? We talk about Kelly’s push, but when is Michelle’s ever gonna end lol.
How I would have this storyline play out in the end would be to, in time, give Kelly her inevitable title shot against Lay-cool. Before the match happens I would have a backstage segment where Layla taunts Kelly to the point where Kelly attacks Layla. Layla plays up the injury so Michelle defends against Kelly instead. Kelly gets the win and celebrates when Layla (or Vickie or whoever) drops the bomb that officially Michelle wasn’t the champ recognized by the WWE so Layla’s title doesn’t change hands. Kelly then gets a proper title match against Layla that Layla wins. That would end both Kelly’s major push and the co-champion storyline and maybe even give Layla a bit of a solo run as Women’s champ.
There was also Rosa Mendes doing jumping jacks when Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler were talking backstage!
Rosa Mendes doing jumping jacks was great. lol I loved it even if it was 3 seconds.
“There was also Rosa Mendes doing jumping jacks when Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler were talking backstage!”
lol, never saw that, but i do find the whole rosa-in-training thing pretty funny.
and i agree, .mch, they really need to do something about the whole co-champs thing. it’s not even a real story yet.. it’s just michelle with a duplicate belt and the announcer saying they’re co-champs. it’s pretty pointless, right now.
Short and served to further the storyline. I think she’ll get a title shot but she won’t win as well. I’m more interested in the Serena storyline. It’s kinda galling to see the female of the group be the one to “backslide” but if it gets her into a wrestling role then it’s for the greater good I suppose. Great write up!
@Kaledrina, it happened right before the WAwAe Intercontinetal Championship Match.
Sorry, WWE. Stupid spelling fill in on iPod.
well im happy my girl got another win but people complain about KELLY’s push well will someone tell me win MICHELLE McTAKER’s will end Kelly can pin Rosa in 10 seconds and pin the Women’s champion Layla with the K2(after outside interference) but McTAKER dominates her the entire match and gets a surprize roll-up while McTAKERs distacted. im surprized McTAKER lost just mad how it was done so someone please tell me when McTAKER will quit getting shoved down our throats.
K2 WOMENS CHAMP MITB
JILLIBEANZ: “So let me get this straight… Kelly can pin Rosa in 10 seconds and pin the Women’s champion Layla with a finisher despite outside interference, but gets dominated by McCool the entire match and can only muster up a surprise roll up while McCool’s distracted to get the win? We talk about Kelly’s push, but when is Michelle’s ever gonna end lol.”
Agreed. Sometimes I get weary when people keep on mentioning the whole Taker-Michelle thing. But with this kind of treatment to her character, I don’t exactly blame them.
I still think that she is still being shoved down our throats. And I don’t like it one bit since women more talented than her are made to look weak just so she can look strong. I’m not talking about Kelly, of course. There’s Melina, Gail Kim, Victoria (back then…) the list goes on.
I can understand if a promotion does something like this for Awesome Kong and Beth because whenever their in the ring, their dominance seems nigh-indisputable. They’re really strong, they nails moves hard and they can really wrestle.
I can also accept something like this for Trish Stratus because, regardless of how she was pushed in her later years, her growth was well documented. From being a mere valet, to being a jobber to an actual champion… it was a believable growth.
I don’t think the same can be said about Michelle despite the fact she is pretty good in the ring when it comes to executing moves. I think her character will earn a lot more respect if the WWE takes her way down and allows her to work her way back up again.
is serena still in fcw? and i love to see a match between michelle mccool and noami knight i hope she get called up soon
For one, Trish Stratus had a fairly lukewarm over until the whole babyface deal started with her and Jericho, then the heel turn at Wrestlemania. After a good long while and many, many mic repetitions with live chanting crowds, she got good at handling it. She did the natural face turn as is really a rite of passage these days in an era where faces are heels and heels are the real faces.
For two, I also find the Rosa jumping-rope thing kinda funny. I think it’s a not-so-subtle signal from Hayes and Co. that they’re on the bus with this new Diva development strategy. They have found a few places they trust that are keeping it more about cardio, flexibility and aerobics which lends itself to their short burst, two-spot matches, and that gets them up to speed at a much increased rate. If the athleticism is there (and of course they’re hot), they now have a more reliable way to ramp them up into being in the mix for the division. That competition will only help push others and separate the pops from the duds.
For three, I am not really on board with hating on a “K2″ push, nor am I on board with hating on MM. By all analysis, it’s a solid move and a necessary one for the roster. The type of win just shows that as far as they’re concerned, MM is indeed in the driver’s seat and a real win on her is to be pursued and not given away. I wouldn’t look for a clean job there until you get Beth vs. Michelle on PPV, Vickie as special guest ref, Beth does some crazy move stacking both of them together, tada. Though we’ll see how serious they are about Kelly Kelly in coming weeks — I also suspect the Kelly push has to do with Beth’s timetable not being that super hot, as far as working the payoff match. Given her role, that’s not a talent you cover up, she’s covering up others.
Also, the Laycool getting-over was cooled down some, just like I had suspected, we would get the signal of what their intentions are there: to dial it back a notch or two to make sure that they brand together, and brand heel, for the long run. Getting face over by dissing other Divas, on a slim roster with a one-segment window, may ultimately leave some other talents less over in it’s wake. That was probably the thinking there and brings up as many more high-level chess questions as it answers.
What I don’t get is, if McCool is ultimately your lead heel here at the end of the day, and Kelly Kelly is the face in hot pursuit . . .
why are people upset that there wasn’t a decisive, clean win by Kelly on McCool? People want it all given away quickly and for free? So the FANS are turning into Eric Bischoff now? Do fans even know what’s good for them? They loved Lita/Edge/Hardy (long storyline), Jericho/Trish/Christian (long storyline), Victoria/Trish (long storyline), Trish/Mickie (long storyline), even Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie was more over than you’d think, just out of “so bad it’s funny” cred for the Al Wilson thing. It was insanely bad, go watch.
I just don’t get it.. What’s the point? If Kelly pins MM clean and decisively there, where do you go next? This isn’t the Main Event roster where you have so many other segments around it, you could put enough stuff in between the matches to make each significant. They should avoid Bischoff-ism, the cheap payoffs on free TV, and make you care about a title match down the road. The protests against a cheap win for Kelly, like it should be clean, sound more like pure marking than anything. If you want that win, order the PPV! (if they even have it on, you get my point…)
As I see it, the SmackDown booking picture is one of the more interesting ones going right now. It’s a tribute to the tried and true methods of its writers, and equally a tribute to the talent being committed to making the Blue brand have watchable shows, period. The issue they have is that WWE definitely wants to take care of Beth Phoenix… in light of what’s happened (quite openly) with some other talents in recent times.
Beth isn’t doing an album, going on a reality show or trying to chill with Ashton Kutcher. She’s about winning the title like 30 more times and then eventually calling it a day, that’s about who the worker is, and nothing else. So since Mickie was fired/chose to walk away in that fashion, it is absolutely imperative that they send the message that they’re looking for people that use their long-term with the E, not outside it. The Maria thing, and Mickie James, both took a big bite out of them vs. investment. They have to I.D. and separate “stepping stone” type Divas from our wrestling-in-the-blood kind of workers. I think that’s why they did what they did at Mania, the sweeping entrance with Beth, and ultimately Vickie Guerrero getting her moment (now that’s a wrestling lifer family… for you.)
I love Tiffany, I only wish she was getting pushed over K2. Tiffany has that slight edge over K2,you can see the fire this girl has. I’m intrigued to where they are going totake Serena. I don’t think that they will make her a face, I think that they may do a story line that will see Serena try and redeem herself for “slipping of that straight edgewagon”. I don’t know why but I have a feeling that they might be another Diva trade. I reckon this will happen after Money in the bank.
If Melina was to return to the blue show her is how I predict it could happen.
I Just imagine, a scheduled match with K2 and Tiffany. Vs LaCool (yawn), LaCool take out Tiffany and Kelly has to find another partner. We all wait in anticipation to see who it is and then… Flashlights.. It’s Melina!
Personally I would love Melina to return to Raw and fued with Foxy!
I wasn’t posting on this board at the time but can someone tell me if there was this much complaining when K2 got dominated the whole match and beat Beth with a roll up. Are does that not matter because Beth wasn’t dating the Undertaker? Seriously K2 isn’t the only face to be dominated in a match and then pick up the suprise win. It happens. This Michelle hate is crazy to me.
“why are people upset that there wasn’t a decisive, clean win by Kelly on McCool? People want it all given away quickly and for free? So the FANS are turning into Eric Bischoff now? Do fans even know what’s good for them?”
it is odd how even i do flip flop between wanting things quick and done and wanting things stretched out. take for instance, the current hart dynsty/usos feud. it’s been going on for like a month now but people want to see the big tamina/natalya match NOW and accuse the feud of being repetitive! and then, on the other hand, the sarita/taylor feud is going too fast! when, if it had been given a month or two to play out, we’d all likely be complaining it was dragging on too long. we do seem to want things now and want things fast and it’s a shame.
I also have to say i’m mad LayCool didn’t bring Kaval out with them.
i think kelly and tiffany will b the next co-champions with kelly getting pinfall on layla causing layla and michelle to break up because if kelly is going for gold why is tiffany needed………..
kelly and tiffany next co champions mark my words lol
WWE are just “installing” the fans by having series of matches between the 4 current smackdown divas until melina returns so she can regain the title from layla, so meaning that layla will retain from kelly. It also makes sense to have melina come back to smackdown and compete for the womens championship instead of having her return to RAW and taking away the title from alicia since she recently got it, it wouldnt be fair to have layla get a better reign then alicia fox.
Serena going face would be a great way to gain smackdown’s ratings since there are 3 heels on smackdown and only 2 faces but they still need a top “face” which should be melina. But how is serena going to start wrestling if there is no angle for her to be put in since Kelly/Tiffany – Laycool feud is going on. Maybe next week we’ll see a backstage segment with her and Luke&CM Punk having them reject her and maybe lay-cool come out of no where and just laugh in her face making her go face then attacking either layla or michelle the next week or something close to that.
I think no one has mentioned this but i’ll mention it, in the backstage segment between vickie & dolph, there was an apperance by Rosa Mendes. she was star jumping.
Now im not reading too much into this, but is she doing this b’cos she wants to be ‘famous & flawless’ or is this just apart of her ‘american barbie girl who loves to shop, get her nails done & is always on her blackberry’ gimmick.
@TJGlee
i just saw the segment on youtube and was about to mention it and i do think there still doing the angle of her joining lay-cool but it a very “histarical” segment
“What I don’t get is, if McCool is ultimately your lead heel here at the end of the day, and Kelly Kelly is the face in hot pursuit . . .”
The thing is, Kelly is in hot pursuit of Layla’s championship belt, not the fake one McCool is holding. Which is why if anything Kelly should have gotten a decisive win over McCool and an indecisive one over Layla. But God forbid McCool, who the crowd generally has still not taken to, takes the backseat in a feud for once in like 2 years.
Kelly will have a title but won´t win?i can perfectly agree with that and it would be the nost logical solution.
but everyone is talking about Melina returning to SD and winning the title from Layla(or Laycool,or whatever this co-ownership will go).but besides the fact that on RAW there seems to be a rivalry between Dibiase(with Maryse) and Morrison,it would be better for her to return there,even because it will give her a chance to work in a story instaed of being putted already in the title picture.
besides,if Melina went to SD as a face,what would be Beth´s role when she returns?she was being booked as top face Diva in the show and a main contender for the title….
the SD tonght i lost faith on that worthless brand lets face it ever since mickie got fired and beth got injured they left a big hole and the whole laycool vs blondturage thing is getting boring by the minute i start to enjoy TNA and RAW better.the only good thing that stood out for the divas the segment wth serena for the love of god use that girl as a wrestler the girl can do better than being cm punk’s girl.i really hope melina or gail move to SD they well be a big assest on the divas divison
@KELLYKELLY
the sd divas aint worth a ppv match no more so don’t get your hopes up i think the raw divas well get also the ppv match at money in the bank they earn it unlike SD .again i have nothing on kelly kelly but she is the worthest wrestlers in the history of horrible wrestling the only good thing a bout her that is her looks and chrisma but i respect her for trying and it well be enough for her to take the title at a SD show.
@A.A i dont care if its on the PPV or on SD! i just said that since it the next PPV but i wouldnt care SD!
care if SD! or MITB.
Layla is the real Women’s Champion and her reign is getting overlooked because of McCool and the need to have her in the title picture at all times. The co-champions things is cute and interesting but it’s overshadowning the fact that Layla is the real Women’s Champion. If Kelly is going to get a big singles win over one member of LayCool, it should have been Michelle and not Layla. This is why I’m getting pissed off because McCool is still being pushed as this unstoppable force and it’s getting to be too much. I’m not too crazy about a Kelly push simply because I feel she isn’t ready and that this is just a filler storyline until Melina or Beth gets a cleared health bill and can come make the save.
Short story, Layla should be the solo champion and McCool should be her loyal friend by her side. The way it’s going is only good if a storyline comes out of it about McCool hogging the spotlight from Layla but I doubt that’s going to happen. Also, if you’re gonna push one of the Blondetourage, it should be the one who has proven herself and not the one who has remained in neutral for the past year or so. Kelly was improving for a while but she has now kind of stopped and gotten comfortable while Tiffany has really gotten better in that ring and has a fire and a passion when she’s in there.