More 2010 WWE

(#15) Luke Gallows vs. Rey Mysterio - Smackdown 3/5/2010
(#31) Luke Gallows vs. Rey Mysterio - Smackdown 3/19/2010

Both matches were really good, but the first was definitely the standout and a really testament to how good Gallows is on offense. He hits tons of great stuff, and Rey takes it all really well. None of it is overly complicated, but Gallows has really good punches and clotheslines and he busts out some cool slams and a really great-looking splash. Really awesome spot in the first match where Gallows shoves Rey into the ropes from his knees and then hits a devastating clothesline, still on his knees. Second match is a step down, but still good. Rey comes out with more fire, but there's still a whole lot of Gallows on offense. He's not quite as interesting here, and the match seemed to end fairly abruptly due to interference, but there's a good teased count-out spot early on, and plenty of stuff to like. Also worth noting that Punk is fantastic at ringside in both matches. In the first match, he tells Rey to "Get back in the ring, Rey!" when he goes to the apron. In the second, his reaction to Rey getting back inside is awesome. Really satisfying out-of-nowhere finish in the first match; somewhat dissatisfying finish in the second, I thought.

(#17) Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre - Smackdown 6/25/2010
(#26) Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre - Smackdown 8/13/2010

First match between these two was when I first started to change my mind on McIntyre as a worker. These two had a pretty heated rivalry coming in-- Drew had tried to put Matt on the shelf for good, putting his head on the steel steps and then stomping on it, etc. And Teddy tried to fire Drew, and then Mr. McMahon reinstated him, etc. But then Nexus took Vince out, so Teddy stuck Drew in the ring with Matt. Match starts with fire, both guys throwing punches and going to the outside quickly. I <3 Matt Hardy's punches. Drew takes a cool bump on the outside, flipping over the ring steps. Then he takes control with an interesting spot where he takes Matt from the apron and smashes him into the turnbuckle from there. I couldn't decide if I liked that or not. Felt kinda iffy on Drew's control stuff at times, too. He busted out some really nifty stuff, like a Michinoku driver off the top rope. And Matt's really good at taking all his stuff. But it started to drag at times, I thought. Or maybe I thought it lasted a bit too long for what I thought should've been a more even slugfest-type match. But the finishing run is gold. They go the outside and Drew tries to repeat the steps stomp spot. Well, first he whips Matt into the steps, and Matt makes a great face. Then he tries to stomp him, but Matt sweeps Drew's legs out, and Drew just fucking flat-fuck draps, flat-backed on the steel. Bonkers. Then he makes a side effect look really good, and he takes a Twist of Fate look absolutely awesome. Loved the way he took stuff in the final stretch. Really impressive, and I dig how Drew is willing to take some nasty shit (like when he launched himself into the apron in the 7/30 match with Christian).

The 8/13 match is shorter but still really violent and good, with more awesome stuff involving the ring steps. I can't remember much of it for whatever reason, just that McIntyre stomped on Matt's leg and it looked nasty, and he came across as a legit threat here. He's been on quite the roll, and Hardy's having kind of a good under-the-radar year. He hasn't been in top form, but he was really good in both of these matches, and he had really good performances in solid matches with Carlito & DH Smith on Superstars.