Another week and another average episode of WWE Smackdown passes us by with about as much impact as a baseball bat made out of jelly, sadly at a time when the entire WWE product should be focused on its first major PPV of 2013. What's that? You didn't realise there was even a PPV coming up? Well, that isn't all that surprising really considering the horrendously weak build up the event has had since the start of the year. Not even CM Punk and The Rock seem to care all that much anymore. Sure, they had that one superb encounter on RAW a few weeks ago but since then it's descended into irrelevancy through The Rock's "oh my God my sides are splitting you're so funny" comedy routines - routines he was using way-back-when in his feud with Bill Goldberg for Christ's sake! Come on Dwayne, it's 2013 - let's get serious for once! The Rock/Punk encounter from this week's Smackdown was as poor as we've come to expect. It would be interesting to see how many people went out and bought the PPV immediately after the show finished - not many I'll bet. Even the inclusion of the mighty Shield wasn't enough to ignite the fire on this feud - in fact once they left around the 9 minute mark things just seemed to lose focus, almost as if Punk was filling the void until Rocky showed up. Don't get me wrong, I'm Sure, Punk vs Rock will be a helluva match cometh the hour but if this is the best they can do to build their feud then God help us come Wrestlemania. On a side note, was that Samoa Joe in the front row as The Shield left ringside? Elsewhere on the card Alberto Del Rio and Team Hell No defeated Big Show and The Rhodes Scholars - furthering Smackdown's two biggest feuds in lieu of the Rumble. Rhodes Scholars are fantastic and without a doubt the next tag team champions. Likewise, the sell by date on Hell No has just about been reached. Sure, they were entertaining enough in the show's opening segment - at least until Big Show interrupted - but how much longer can the WWE drag this gimmick out for? A split MUST happen come Sunday. As for Del Rio, well the guy should be thrown in prison. His impromptu face turn robbed Ricardo Rodriguez of his 'break out moment' - y'know, when he finally tires of his abusive cohort and turns on him thus heading off on his own in ring career as a jobber to the stars. Despite his newly found nice side, Del Rio remains one of the most boring acts on this or any other brand. Here's hoping Show beats him at the Rumble and goes on to face Ryback at 'Mania. Speaking of the Royal Rumble, did you know that Antonio Cesaro will be defending the United States title against The Miz in the pre-show? To illustrate how dangerous Miz is WWE had him go over Titus O'Neil in under 5 minutes with another sloppy looking Figure Four. It's a real shame what they're doing to Titus. Before Smackdown he was going to be one of my picks as having a standout performance in the over-the-top-rope match, ala Diesel and Kane years previously. Oh look! It's another Sheamus Wade Barrett match, because there's no one else on the roster for either man to face obviously. A much slower, clunkier match than these two usually have. I hate how Sheamus is presented as a baby face, he's just so bland! And when is Wade Barrett's top tier push going to happen? Next Mr Money In The Bank? Make it so Vince! Finally, floundering around in the background with very little to do was Randy Orton. Pitting Orton against 3 Man Band seems absolutely pointless. If he's going to face any trio then feed him The Shield. Or, even better, turn him heel. Please. Overall Rating: Where was the urgency? Royal Rumble is such an important event and no one seems to care.