The End (of SmackDown) Is Near

Never has a PPV title seemed so appropriate than WWE Armageddon. I cannot believe that a company that has produced so many great moments in PPV, even in the past couple of years, had the audicity to ask people to pay for what they showed tonight. I'm dead serious; it was that bad. And I'm judging that on the time-tested "SmackDown PPV's are generally awful" bell curve, so consider that.

RVD/Rey vs Kenzo/Rene

Granted, I missed the first few minutes of this one, but the ending left me with the impression that the earlier title switch (on Thursday) could have easily been done tonight, and with so much more purpose, BECAUSE IT WAS ON PPV. So the champs retain tonight? Uh, okay.... Don't understand that one at all.

Dan Puder vs The Other Guy

Why even have judges, etc. if the fans were going to choose all along? Plus I'm pretty sure Puder should have lost that one if not for the "fan vote"

Kurt Angle vs Santa Claus

Yeah, okay...

Bashams vs Hardcore Holly & Charlie Haas

Yeah, okay...

John Cena vs Jesus

Some nasty stiff shots there, but I honestly think Cena could have sold just a little bit for the big lug. Otherwise, why bother with this? This Carlito-Cena issue may already be over for now, which really isn't the direction they should be going in.

Dawn Marie vs Jackie Gayda

You know what? If their intention all along was to turn Charlie, then fine -- do it properly. I mean, can SmackDown even turn wrestlers properly anymore? Geez... Charlie could have been a great heel aligned with Dawn Marie, but then he rejects her two? Huh? What am I missing here?

Big Show vs Team Angle

Even in victory, no one was doing Show any favors by having him involved in that nonsense. Is that really the best Kurt Angle can do anymore? Besides making St. Nick tap out, that is.

Funaki vs Spike Dudley

A terrible, heatless match that killed Spike's awesome title run prematurely. Couldn't they have at least let London get the title match?

JBL vs Booker vs Eddy vs Undertaker

Okay, this one was at least watchable. Eddy worked his ass off, and to his credit, JBL was entertaining and worked hard. I've seen better efforts from Booker, to be honest. Undertaker was just old and tired. I know I'm not breaking any new ground here, but really... when your skills have eroded this much, isn't it time to REALLY consider hanging it up? I actually appreciated Heidenreich's interference here, and not just because he took out Taker. It means that they've given some thought into his character. If he's important enough to interfere in the main event (again), they'll probably develop the character further. Which is a good thing for those who want to see new names at the top (even if it IS Heidenreich).

Unfortunately, one match doesn't save a PPV, and the match wasn't overly-impressive to begin with. Definitely worst show of the year candidate; not a total surprise.