Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin 07/20/08

Where: Uniondale, NY

Backstory: The WWE has just had their annual draft where several members of their brands move around to create fresh matchups. Shelton Benjamin went from ECW to Smackdown, and Matt Hardy, The US Champion, went from Smackdown to ECW. Shelton is always has a curiousity factor because he always is on the verge of a breakout performance. This match is for Hardy's US Title.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men lock up, and since Shelton has a legit amateur background he takes Hardy down. Hardy struggles back up, but Benjamin takes him down with a shoulderblock. Benjamin continues to work the headlock, but Hardy fights out to hit a hip toss and a deep armdrag. Both men then angle to hit each others finishers but to no avail. Hardy takes him down with a punch to the head. He then charges at Benjamin, but Shelton throws him over the top rope. Hardy tries to skin the cat, but he get dropkicked in the back in a nice sequence. You'll notice that the WWE midcard is a lot more creative in their sequences than the main eventers because they are clawing to get over, and don't want to have repetitive matches that the main eventers have.

Hardy is outside the ring, and Shelton tries to bring him inside. Hardy fights back so Benjamin rams him into the ringpost and back to the outside. He brings him back in and gets a 2-count. Benjamin then gets a high angle back suplex and a backbreaker as he's begun focusing on the back area. They then works on Matt Hardy's neck with a submission move. Jim Ross on commentary hints that maybe a sitting abdominal stretch would have been better since it continues to focus on the back as the dropkick, suplex, and backbreaker had done. Benjamin then puts pressure on Hardy's arm, but once again loses focus. This is one of Benjamin's problems as he a great athlete, has great moves, but can't always put them together to get the four star match he is so capable of having.

Benjamin releases the hold and shows good aggression by pummelling Hardy. He then hits a backbreaker, but then goes to an abdominal stretch. Hardy counters into a nearfall after getting a Samoan drop. Benjamin goes for another high angle back suplex but Hardy reverses this time for a crossbody showing that he learned Benjamin's moves and figured out a reversal. This only gets a two-count however. Hardy then charges Benjamin in the corner, but catches a boot. Benjamin comes back and nearly gets caught in a Side Effect before Benjamin shoves Hardy down. Benjamin finally gets a sensible submission move on and get a dragon sleeper while planting Hardy's back over his knee. Mick Foley on commentary covers and says that Benjamin has been working on the spine which is a great comment since it justifies all of the submission moves that I previously thought were faulty.

Both men try to punch each other, but Hardy comes out on top and comes back. He catches a Benjamin kick but he does a great reverse roundhouse kick that takes Hardy down. Hardy staggers to the corner and Benjamin gets a Stinger Splash on him. Hardy once again proves that he learns his lesson as he catches Benjamin on the second attempt with a boot to the face. Hardy comes back with punches, a clothesline and a bulldog. Hardy then goes to the second rope for a legdrop on Benjamin for a nearfall. Hardy goes for a hurricanrana but Benjamin catches him and powerbombs him into the top turnbuckle in a nice spot. Now Benjamin is proving that he can't be fooled twice.

Benjamin goes for a powerbomb, but Hardy reverses for a rollup, and both men take turns trying to get leverage pinfalls against each other. Hardy then catches Benjamin in the Side Effect which I personally think he should establish as a finisher. The crowd definitely bought into it as Hardy gets a nearfall with the move. Hardy then motions for is real finisher, the Twist of Fate, but Benjamin throws him into the turnbuckle. He then lifts Hardy up on the top turnbuckle, but Hardy fights him off. Hardy goes up top for a moonsault but Benjamin knees him in the face on the way down, and hits his finisher the Paydirt for the three count and title.


Winner by Pinfall in 10:36: Shelton Benjamin **3/4

I like the clean finish for the match. I also thought they had a nice recurring theme of both men relying on the same moves which get them caught because their opponents are ready for them the second time around. I still think Benjamin could be so much more than he is, and hopefully he reaches that top level.