Here are my takes on the big stories from Friday night’s SmackDown that the WWE Universe is talking about on Facebook, Twitter and WWE.com.

Talking point: Big Show KO’s World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry and WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio

Eck’s Factor: It was an impressive sight to see Big Show standing over the fallen bodies of the World Heavyweight Champion and the WWE Champion – both of whom had fallen victim to Big Show’s huge right hand – following his victory over Del Rio by disqualification. Since returning earlier this month, Big Show has gotten the better of Henry in every one of their confrontations. Prior to that, Henry had looked nearly invincible. It all makes Sunday’s World Heavyweight Title Match between the two behemoths at Vengeance very compelling. Cue the late, great Gorilla Monsoon saying, “The irresistible force meets the immovable object.”

Talking point: Sin Cara (Azul) defeats Sin Cara (Negro) in a Mask vs. Mask Match

Eck’s Factor: It was a bit anti-climactic when SCN’s mask was removed to reveal, well, just some non-descript guy we’ve never seen before. Hopefully, the unmasking of SCN settles the issue between the two, as the rivalry never really clicked with the WWE Universe. I am curious to see what’s next for each of them, especially SCN. Will he leave WWE in disgrace or will he stick around? And if he does stay, what name will he go by?

Talking point: Mark Henry destroys John Morrison again

Eck’s Factor: I’d love to have seen the look on Morrison’s face when he arrived at the arena and saw his name across from Henry’s for the second time in a week. Morrison did get in some offense against the World Heavyweight Champion, but Henry kicked out of Starship Pain and proceeded to deliver another devastating World’s Strongest Slam to finish off JoMo. It’s pretty amazing (and sad) that the athletically-gifted Morrison – once considered to be a potential future World Champion – has become WWE’s answer to the St. Louis Rams.

Talking point: "The Wade Barrett Uprising" begins with a win over Daniel Bryan

Eck’s Factor: After declaring that it was the dawning of a new era, Barrett went out and defeated Bryan in an entertaining match. Hopefully, Barrett is finally getting his career back on track. He’s simply too talented to be lost in the shuffle. And speaking of talented guys lost in the shuffle, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Bryan ends up being the first Money in the Bank winner to unsuccessfully cash in the MITB contract

Talking point: U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler’s misfortune continues

Eck’s Factor: Not only did Ziggler suffer another pinfall loss – this time in a tag match in which Sheamus and Zack Ryder beat Ziggler and Christian – but he also found out that he will have to defend his U.S. Title against Ryder Sunday at Vengeance after he and Jack Swagger challenge Air Boom for the WWE Tag Team Championship on the same show. As much as I will enjoy watching Ziggler – one of WWE’s most dynamic performers – work twice in one night, it hardly seems fair to him. And just how is it that SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long can book Ziggler – a member of the Raw roster – in a U.S. Title Match on pay-per-view anyway. I’d love to see the awesome Ziggler walk out of Vengeance with two championships, but with the way things have gone for him lately, it’s more likely that he will end up with none.

Talking point: Eve, Divas Champion Beth Phoenix and Natalya talk the talk

Eck’s Factor: It was refreshing to see the Divas engage in an in-ring verbal confrontation. All three women showed that they can talk when given the opportunity. I also liked how Eve stood up to the two heels and delivered a hard shove to Phoenix that nearly caused the Divas Champion to have a wardrobe malfunction. Memo to Eve: Next time shove her with just a little more force. Male fans across the WWE Universe will be eternally grateful.

WHO IS KEVIN ECK?

For those who are unfamiliar with me, I come to WWE from The Baltimore Sun, where I was an assistant sports editor and the author of a pro wrestling blog titled Ring Posts. In between two stints with The Sun, I worked as the editor of WCW Magazine from 2000 to 2001.

 

Follow Kevin Eck on Twitter at Twitter.com/KevinEck­_WWE