WWE Smackdown Live Review: Belfast Nov 4 2010

WWE Smackdown Live Review: Belfast November 4th 2010
By Phil Allely

Every year we fans in the UK and Ireland get the chance to see our favourite Wwe supertsra live in the flesh and what a treat it is to be there at ringside for all of the action.

This November it was the turn of the Smackdown roster to head to Belfast and showcase their talents. Of course recent injuries to many of the companies top name shave had a knock on effect to the roster and the live product. However with almost a full house on hand in the Odyssey arena it was up to those fit, ready and willing backstage to offer forth some top class entertainment.

Phil Allely was on hand (alongside a fellow grapple fan and former wrestler) to witness just how the WWE were going to fill the void left by such stars as Undertaker and CM Punk.

Things kicked off well with hometown hero Finlay stepping out of self imposed retirement to live up to his tough guy image. His opponent Tyler Reks is a highly tipped big man and Finlay made him look like a star. Finlay’s comedy sidekick Hornswoggle was on hand to give his comrade an assist, much tot eh fans delight. Finlay pulled off the win and had the Belfast crowd in the palm of his hand as he and little Hornswoggle celebrated in the centre of the ring. Hornswoggle’s top rope frog (spawn!) splash was hilarious to witness.

Jack Swagger and Chris Masters had a believable and spirited match next. Trading holds, moves and near falls before Swagger made Masters tap out.

Mason Ryan pulled off an upset win next as crowd favourite Chavo Guerrero fell to him with ease, it’s easy to see why WWE legend Dusty Rhodes is high on Ryan.

The Intercontinental Title match saw champion Dolph Ziggler face off against Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre and MVP. Scottish native McIntyre proved himself well in this one, controlling much of the match and almost netting himself the belt on a few occasions. After many near falls, high spots and trademark moves the action fell apart as Nexus made their first appearance of the night to end the match, Ziggler retaining.

The hot blooded males in attendance took notice next as diva Kelly Kelly made an unscheduled appearance to pose, strut and throw out some tee shirts to the crowd.

Up next everyone’s favourite little man Rey Mysterio showed just how in need he is of time off to recuperate his collected injuries. Rey was knockout out of action early in his bout with Alberto Del Rio and replaced with Kofi Kingston. Kingston fared well against his unexpected foe, but did require a returning Mysterio’s help to nail the match winning ‘boom drop’ for the pin.

After the interval Hart Dynasty members DH Smith and Tyson Kidd tackled Nexus for the Tag team Championships. The match itself was very good, Kidd especially impressing with his high-flying and risk taking moves. Nexus though proved to be slightly superior on this occasion and retained their gold.


The match of the night in your reviewers opinion was the Divas brawl between Natalya and Layla. Both women had their work boots on and assembled a near perfect bout, trading near falls, hitting decent moves and whipping the crowd into a nice frenzy as near falls came and went. The more experienced Natalya deservedly gained the win with a ‘Sharpshooter’.

The main event had a lot to live up to and since the as-billed Kane/Undertaker match had been scrapped due to Takers injuries his replacement Big Show had awful big shoes to fill. The seven foot monster did try his best and he and Kane did assemble a fair match-up for Kane’s World Title.

Perhaps knowing that fans were feeling short-changed by the lack of star talent on hand the finale to the match saw Nexus and the Smackdown roster have a full scale brawl.

Smackdown may have disappointed some, but whoever did put the show together did their best with what they had. The Nexus collective did their jobs perfectly, Kane proved to a very articulate speaker (something you never see on TV) and equally the often underrated Divas division proved to be the best on the night live.

Roll on the Raw tour next year for more of the same for the WWE.