Title This: WWE Smackdown Reaction 2-22

February 22, 2012

In Ring Segment:

Daniel Bryan talks about being champion heading into WrestleMania. He says Santino is like Rocky Balboa, but he is the real role model. The Miz comes out, says he knew Bryan would be champion because he trained him on NXT, and congratulates him. Miz says he wants to form a tag team with him, but out comes Sheamus. He calls Bryan a hypocrit and an ass. He says everyone will congratulate him once WrestleMania is over. Bryan sucker punches Sheamus, and Sheamus gets a shot on The Miz. Bryan escapes.

What I Liked:

The history between Miz and Bryan was great, but I enjoyed how they interacted with one another here. I thought the microphone work was solid from all three guys, and felt Sheamus took a big step in the words he said. They felt meaningful and the crowd was behind him. I could easily see Miz/Bryan as a tag team in the summer, but right now they should not be in any program together. Find something for Miz separately.

What I Disliked:

Miz needs to find his own feud, a reason for himself to bs used at Mania. I wonder what plans they have for him, if any. Also, why is Sheamus beating strong opponents while Bryan faces jokes like Santino? Let both men garner respectable victories and not just Sheamus. Bryan could benefit from that.

Grade: B

Sheamus def. The Miz:

What I Liked:

The match was solid because I liked how they continued to work on telling a story. Miz worked on Sheamus' arm for a bit, targeted it, and was aggressive doing it. Sheamus is always the aggressor, so it was nice to see a change of pace for him. Sheamus does a great job at reversals, getting out of many moves. I thought Miz held his own with a much more powerful star.

What I Disliked:

Give this match more time, and let Bryan be involved somehow. It will get very boring if all we see is Bryan win a match and Sheamus win one. Let Sheamus lose one or two due to Bryan's interference. It will give an ego and confidence boost to someone who could use it. I also wonder if they tested out The Miz on Smackdown for a possible draft to the show. Do not rule out that idea here, and the idea that Miz could be on Smackdown as a face. He is likable and could make that switch.

Grade: B-

John Laurinaitis and Otunga interrupts Aksana and Long. They do the same thing from Raw, setting up Jackson vs. Otunga once again.

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.