There’s really not much to talk about this week in the SmackDown Redux because there wasn’t any Divas action. Sorry Lay-Cool fans! Instead, you can get your fix of those two Monday night on Raw.
Tonight’s episode of SmackDown, however, was Serena‘s final appearance on WWE television. Shortly after this episode was taped last Wednesday, Serena was informed of her release. The news broke this past Monday and quite eerily, it makes Serena’s final moments all the more poignant:
After picking up a win over JTG, CM Punk brings his minions into the ring for a dressing down. Perhaps I’m watching that much more closer since I know that Serena’s been let go, but interestingly, she was the only of the three disciples not to raise her arm in salute to their Straight Edge Savior. Defiant!
More eerily, when Punk bellows: “Be better or be gone,” he’s pretty much looking at Serena. ‘Be gone’? Well, that she certainly did do. I expect that they’ll explain next week that Serena caved and couldn’t handle it anymore — if they explain her absence at all.
More after the cut:
We cut to Rosa Mendes backstage who is shaking some sort of fitness product. Meanwhile, her boobs are rather conveniently bouncing away, which I’m assuming was the real reason behind this little skit. Very PG.
After Rosa walks off, enter Hornswoggle. Fresh off stalking Lay-Cool last week, he’s now in disguise in Teddy Long’s office.
Hornswoggle tries to tell Teddy that he was spying on Lay-Cool last week, but couldn’t quite put into words what it is that he saw. I did find his impersonation of Lay-Cool funny, especially the ‘Flaw-less‘ in Hornswoggle-speak.
Next, it’s Serena’s swansong as she accompanies Luke Gallows to the ring for his match Big Show, who is accompanied by Kelly Kelly:
Near the end of the bout, Serena is hit with a Thesz Press by Kelly on the outside. Call it a parting gift.
I really didn’t plan on writing too much this week, so do excuse the less than descriptive Redux. I thought I’d use this last part to share my thoughts on Serena’s release.
I, like many of you, first saw Serena in SHIMMER. I know that Serena has worked her entire career to make it to the WWE and she did. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have the rug pulled from underneath you like that just 8 months later. But in the last 8 months, Serena can say she has been part of one of the hottest angles on WWE television — having her head shaved on SmackDown. She’s been a huge part of the Straight Edge Society; the dynamic of having a female so involved in that group set it apart from the tons of other stables that we’ve seen in the past. Not to mention, she’s been to WrestleMania and even got to wrestle on national television at least once, picking up the win in her debut match.
I’m not going to act like I know what happened, or blame WWE, or Serena for that matter. However, I do believe that everyone makes mistakes and WWE has, in the past, given many a second chance to many a wrestler. Serena’s still young and still has her whole career ahead of her. I wouldn’t rule out a return to WWE in her future, to be quite frank.
So Serena, it’s goodbye… for now.
EDIT: Turns out Lay-Cool were on the show after all. Watch below:
The ‘Big Bird’ remark regarding Melina’s SummerSlam outfit seems like a nod to the Internet.
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27 Comments
You forgot the LayCool backstage segment. They had a photoshoot promo promoting what they are going to do with Melina on Raw next week.
Yeah, as ohiofan1 said you missed out on that segment.
I still refuse to believe that Serena has been released. She’s still on the diva’s page & the smackdown page. x
Interesting, the little moments of defiance. Would’ve been nice to see where it would’ve gone from here. I agree, Serena’s young and we don’t know what the future holds. Sometimes there’s second chances given. We’ll have to see.
On the other hand, I like this pairing of Kelly and Big Show. Show always came across as a gentleman on tv, no matter his gimmick (or so I recall), and they’re cute together! Plus Kelly looked great tonight, her hair and outfit were fantastic. Loved the top esp.
Seems like all of WWE’s pre-taped shows were bad this week. I’ve not seen the rest of SD! but these segments/matches were all terrible.
1. Why was Big Show wearing a t-shirt for the entire match?
2. Why are we supposed to believe that his slaps hurt when he hardly touches Gallows?
3. Why has Gallows not been released yet and people with talent, like Serena has?
4. Why haven’t LayCool got more time than a one minute segment?
5. Why does Hornswoggle understand english yet can’t speak it? (Btw, I didn’t catch were he said flawless in the segment.)
6. Why did Teddy Long say “Hey, I’m not that kinda guy”? What was he insinuating?
7. Why was Serena not raising her hand for 3/4 straight edge pledge moments? Very weird considering her release.
8. Finally, CM Punk’s words towards Serena were very eerie. I wonder if they knew they were going to release her before taping the show?
Agh, wtfff are they planning???
I dunno if its wishful thinking but after watching I’m starting to have a small inkling that maybe Serena’s release could be somewhat of a work. And play into they SES somehow down the line. Heck we all thought Brain Danielson was released and just like Serena’s release it was never officially reported by WWE.com (correct me if I’m wrong if both cases were reported on wwe.com) Idk maybe I’m looking to much into it. I’m also interested to see what Laycool has planned for Melina next Monday. “Real talk” I just hope it’s “Flawless” =P I couldn’t resist.
Well smackdown has to air first in order for them to confirm the release. Then fans at home would know that the show is not live, which they try to portray on smackdown. But i read in a report that serena was supposed to get a big push if she was not fired. But best of luck to her. I hope she comes back to wwe, and i hope she doesn’t go to TNA because she will just be either another roxxi or another alissa flash.
DAMN My Wife looked Beautiful tonight
big show and kelly together reminds me of 2005 back when joy giovanni was the big show’s on screen girlfriend
“shaking some sort of fitness product”?!? LMAO! How can u NOT know what the Shake Weight is?! It has got to be the most embarrassing-maybe hilarious-piece of exercise equipment ever!!
@layglamacool; Not exactly true. Mickie was released BEFORE her last match aired. I have no idea why people keep pointing out that fact when it isn’t necessarily true, at all.
Bryan Danielson’s release WAS reported on wwe.com when it happened.
for the first time in a while im actually interested in wats gonna happen next
I do hope that what Laycool is planning lives up to all of this hype. But speaking of big bird and tribes, Melina tweeted what was up with her SS outfit. It was supposedly an homage to Aztec warriors since her family apparently collects them. The outfit was off… too much yellow methinks.
I have this feeling that Melina might be going to SD! in October (along with a few other people).
@xfrenchTKO
@layglamacool; Not exactly true. Mickie was released BEFORE her last match aired. I have no idea why people keep pointing out that fact when it isn’t necessarily true, at all.
Mickie was no longer relevant to the Beth/McCool storyline that was already starting to brew, and the writers wouldn’t be able to connect her release to it anyway. Therefore announcing her release ahead of the air date would be no biggie at all. In THIS case, they already have some sort of on-screen rationale behind Serena’s release (connecting it to the SEA segment that took place this week on SD) and make that known on next week’s SD taping.
it seems like the be better or be gone was possibly another one of wwe’s coded messages to serena, much like her being caught drinking was another.
i just hope that jonathan. i hope this is all a fix. i am one of the serena supporters. and considering im going to the house show tomorrow in bethlehem p.a, i was looking forward to seeing serena. i fell in love with her. :) but i hope she does get another chance if she really was released. wwe releases many great superstars but keeps useless people around like hornswoggle(no offense, i love the guy, but he doesnt do much but grunt and hide under the ring). among other things. wwe is unfair to women i think. i wish serena well & hope her a great future.
perhaps a title unification
do dip sherlocks
@jack5326 I believe hornswoggle said “bah bah” but the tone sounds like laycool’s “flawless”
Boo! Her release has been announced on .com. That sucks so hard.
Also, I shall scream if they plan on a unification match. x
HA! i laughed soo hard at when Kelly Attacked Serena b’cos when Diva’s usually do that move, they grab the hair to make it look more effective but Serena doesn’t have any hair so it looked very weak.
& Kelly has nothing to do again b’cos now Serena has gone. But something occured to me when watching the Rosa segment. I think that she should turn back heel & manage Cody Rhodes. They both have the same sort of gimmick, so it would be perfect for Rosa as it’ll give her something to do.
Bye Serena, shame she had to take a beating off of Kelly in her last apperance lol. Hope she gets a second chance somehwere down the line.
I don’t like Hornswoggle but I did laugh at the flawless part. xD Not gonna bother talking about Serena’s part; it’ll just get me pissed off again. Damn WWE. I like the segment with LayKavOol. I wish it was given more time though.
Going to talk about Serena in other topic, so there isn’t a lot to comment.
I thought the flawless Kaval said was pretty funny. That guy has a really sexy voice.
Wonder what Lay-Cool have planned..
Hey anyone notice Michelle was wearing a wedding ring? Seems as if WWE are hiding that fac that Michelle and The Undertaker are married! lol
Btw, Kelly should just stop using the Press. She always does it wrong. She just shakes her opponents head. It doesn’t even hit the mat. Which makes the move look ridiculous and funny.
If head shaking was hurtful, all the metal fans would already have died with brain issues.