Recap of last week’s Guerrero and Mysterio segment which leads us into the SmackDown opening package.
Mysterio makes his way out to address Vickie and Chavo Guerrero. JBL says a smart and yet really weird quote about Mysterio being a bird with the world on fire. Mysterio says he hasn’t been himself lately and that last week was the lowest in his professional career. He says that Vickie owes he and everyone an explanation. He calls out Vickie and Chavo (for them to face him like a man; certainly a case of less than stellar wording). Vickie makes her way out alone to a “You Suck” chant. Vickie says that it’s time to move on, and that everyone would rather see them grieve for the rest of the time. She’s mourned and it’s time to focus on herself. Eddie thought of Rey as family, a brother, but Vickie thinks of him as a brief and insignificant chapter of her past. Her life doesn’t include Mysterio anymore, and that she’s the new business manager of Chavo Guerrero! Mandatory ‘Eddie’ chant, Rey goes to speak but Vickie gives him a pretty cool slap which Mysterio sells like a champ before she leaves the ring and meets up with Chavo at the entrance way .. I get the feeling that they’re going to make these two a couple, which’d be a bit creepy .. and isn’t that a Shakespeare story too? I don’t know.
Still to come: King Booker and Batista Contract Signing!
Commercials.
Opening Contest: Matt Hardy vs Gregory Helms
Well they sure built up to this match, didn’t they? Lock up and it gets taken to the ropes, with Helms being shoved off. Lock up again and Hardy gets a headlock, off the ropes with a shoulder block before he gets a headlock takedown on Helms. Helms with an arm drag before he gets a legscissors on Hardy’s arm, but Hardy turns it into a pin attempt for a one. Helms goes for an ankle lock but Hardy kicks him off and into the corner (for a second there, Helms looked like a small brunette version of Kevin Nash). Helms sends Hardy face first into the turnbuckles. Hardy punches away at Helms in the corner before it turns to the stomps. Helms off the ropes into an elbow, elbow drop for a one count. Powerbomb by Hardy for a two count. Hardy goes up to the second turnbuckle but gets kicked by Helms. Hardy misses a clothesline and gets dropped throat first onto the top rope and sent into the security rail. Helms gets a two count pinfall. Helms comes off the ropes with a swinging neckbreaker, ‘Hardy’ chant before Helms gets a failed pinfall attempt. Snapmare by Helms who follows through with a sleeper hold.
Legscissors on Hardy’s throat by Helms, but Hardy escapes and clubs away at Helms. Hardy goes for a double arm move but Helms sends Hardy into the corner, some spears follow. In the middle of the ring Helms runs right into a clothesline by Hardy. Hardy gets some elbows and knees before gets a boot to the head of Helms, followed up with the Side Effect for a two count! Helms in the corner for clotheslines by Hardy, the final gets a bulldog to follow with a failed pinfall attempt by Hardy. Hardy gets a yodel elbow drop the head of Helms, and signals for the Twist of Fate but Helms spins it around and gets a tight package for a two! Another Twist Of Fate reversed with a reverse DDT variation for another two count! Hardy misses a moonsault, and Helms grabs the Cruiser Weight Championship! Helms swings but Hardy ducks and trips Helms, Hardy gets a bridge on Helms for the three count!
Winner: Matt Hardy
Fun little match with only a few faults, mostly that being that JBL and Cole spent half the match talking about totally irrelevant matters. The crowd reaction helped this match be just that bit better. Seven out of Ten.
Mr Kennedy and Finlay are backstage in Long’s office, with Kennedy challenging Finlay for the title. Long makes a title match tonight between the two .. but says it needs a bit of spice. He doesn’t get to reveal that bit of spice, but we’ve got a title match none the less;
The Mix Debuts NEXT! If seeing Michael Cole do the ‘Hoo-rah!’ doesn’t make you laugh, then nothing will.
Commercials.
JBL; “We got Captain Bingo against Captain Hoo-rah. Great”
Second Contest: The Miz Mike Mizanin vs Tatanka
Well this, much like every other Tatanka match lately, will be rather interesting. Lock up and Mizanin takes Tatanka to the corner, does the ‘Hoo-rah’ but Tatanka forces him into the corner. The referee gets Tatanka off of Mizanin and we’ve already got some Tatanka / Referee shenanigans. Tatanka with a headlock, off the ropes with a shoulder block, Mizanin misses his first hip toss attempt but soon gets a nice hip toss. Mizanin does some annoying dancing to boot. Mizanin works the arm but Tatanka forces Mizanin into the corner, in the opposite corner Mizanin does some fancy stuff and mocks the war cry only to get chopped down by Tatanka. Tatanka catches a kick by Mizanin and spins him into a chop.
Tatanka pulls on the arm, follows with some shoulder blocks before he slams Mizanin’s arm on the turnbuckle. Mizanin off the ropes and gets a knee to the head of Tatanka before he sends him shoulder first into the steel pole, backdrop follows for a two count. As well as another two count. Cobra clutch by Mizanin but Tatanka gets out of it and the two exchange blows, with Tatanka getting the better. Shoulder body toss by Tatanka, clotheslines and Tatanka does the dance! Chops! Scoop slam by Tatanka, who goes up top but Mizanin rolls out to the apron. He gets to his feet and gets chopped to the outside by Tatanka. Mizanin gets sent face first into the top turnbuckle and chopped back down. Tatanka tries to get into the ring but Mizanin sends the referee into him, backslide using the ropes for leverage gets Mizanin the victory.
Winner: The Miz
Well now who didn’t see that coming a mile away? Could’ve been worse, and Tatanka’s become watchable, but it certainly wasn’t a debut that shook the world. Two out of Ten.
Up next: United States Championship! Finlay defends against Mr Kennedy!
Commercials.
The Marine comes out (heh, sorry, couldn’t resist) on October 13th. We still havn’t even gotten See No Evil here, I believe, and last I checked these movies where filmed in Australia. As far as the Marine goes: it looks good considering it’s their first action movie. Robert Patrick calling it a good movie automatically raises it’s level of expectations.
Mr Kennedy and Finlay come on out ready for their title match, but Long also comes out and announces that the United States Championship is going to be a Triple Threat Match! With Lashley as the third competitor!
Commercials.
Third Contest: United States Championship: Mr Kennedy vs Lashley vs Finlay (Champion)
In a great touch, this match hasn’t started until we return from commercial. But the audio seems to be screwed up. Kennedy tries to convince Lashley to team up against Finlay, Lashley goes along with it but quickly turns on Kennedy and nails him with a overhead belly to belly. Finlay with an elbow to the face of Lashley, short arm clothesline and elbow drop. Kennedy and Finlay team up, or they might, against Lashley. The two beat down on Lashley and send him shoulder first into the steel pole. Finlay holds Lashley up and Kennedy gets in a running punch to Lashley, but Kennedy quickly turns on Finlay and sends him shoulder first into the steel pole. Kennedy goes up top and goes for the Swanton and connects, but gets pulled off just before the three count by Finlay, who locks Kennedy in a Boston Crab! There’s a move I havn’t seen in a while. Lashley gets a high kick to the face of Finlay, and picks Kennedy up for kicks and punches. In the corner Lashley gets a running clothesline. Finlay kicks Kennedy outside, and gets a nice running shoulder block on Lashley. Finlay off the ropes but Lashley on the canvas, Finlay comes back but Lashley jumps over him (!!!) and Finlay comes back into a toss. Lashley clotheslines Finlay outside. Lashley goes outside and sends Finlay and Kennedy into each other, before he sends Kennedy back inside.
Kennedy gets suplexed back into the ring by Lashley, but a pinfall attempt is broken by Finlay who goes to Lashley with uppercuts. Finlay gets sent into the corner and comes back into a military gut buster before being thrown outside. Kennedy with nice forearms and kicks to Lashley. Kennedy jumps over Lashley after being sent into the corner, but Lashley quickly clotheslines him down. Finlay with a school boy on Lashley for a two count, almost a three. Finlay sends Kennedy throat first into the bottom rope. Short arm clothesline to Lashley by Finlay, who quickly gets sent back out by Kennedy. Lashley gets tripped and dragged outside by Finlay. Kennedy gets a swinging baseball slide on Lashley and Finlay, before he bounces off the ropes and comes back but Finlay pulls up the ring curtain and Kennedy gets trapped. Finlay clubs away on Kennedy, before Lashley sends Finlay into the steel steps and nails Kennedy with a VERY delayed veritcal suplex! The Little Bastard pops his head out from under the ring, as we head to a commercial!
Commercials.
We’re back and Lashley looks to have the advantage, setting Kennedy up for the running powerslam. Kennedy falls down behind him and he and Finlay nail a shoulder block. Kennedy clubs away at Lashley in the corner, Finlay looks to have hurt his arm but gets some loud forearms to Lashley. Finlay backs off and Kennedy gets a go against Lashley, taking him into a different corner for kicks to the gut of Lashley. Finlay looks to have his go again with Lashley, but shoves Kennedy back with force. Kennedy attacks Finlay, Finlay gets the advantage with a eye poke and follows with a butt thump to the gut of Kennedy for a two. Finlay gets another two, broken by Lashley. Lashley takes Finlay to the corner for a running spear, but Kennedy attacks him from behind with a knee to the back. Finlay with a uppercut to Lashley, and the two whip him into the corner. Kennedy again kicks away on Lashley, with Finlay getting a running spear afterwards. Kennedy gets a run up but runs into a clothesline by Finlay! Finlay sends Kennedy outside, and Finlay joins him and it’s Little Bastard time! The Little Bastard gets a swanton on Kennedy before being sent back under the ring by Finlay. Back in the ring, Finlay gets a two count on Kennedy.
Kennedy falls behind a suplex attempt by Finlay, holding the tights in a school boy for a two count. Lashley gets a double clothesline on his two opponents! Shoulder body toss to Kennedy! Running clothesline in the corner on Finlay, and a spear to Kennedy! Sambo suplex by Lashley to Finlay for a two count! Lashley runs into a high boot by Finlay, but Lashley flips Finlay and follows with a belly to belly! Kennedy gets speared off the apron, Finlay tries to use the Shaleleigh but Lashley gets a spear! Running powerslam and Lashley gets a two count, but Kennedy rolls Lashley up – pulling the tights – and gets the three count!!
Winner and NEW United States Champion: Mr Kennedy
Well that’s certainly a welcome surprise. For those that didn’t read the spoilers, at least. Lashley continues to show improvement and Kennedy should make a good United States Champion. Let’s just hope he gets thrown in matches between Regal, Finlay, and Lashley. As for the match I may be the only one to rate it this highly, but I loved every second of this match (as evident by me writting out pretty much all of it) and this was another great chapter for the long running (or not long enough running?) feud between Finlay and Lashley. Ten out of Ten.
Still to come: Contract Signing between King Booker and Batista, for a title match next week!
Commercials.
RAW Rebound: Edge / Cena shenanigans (and yeah, Chris Masters does look terrible now).
M.V.P and his two ladies make his way to their seats at ringside, and Vito makes his entrance. Regal comes out and speaks on the microphone about how he was knighted last week, and his majesty has told him to tell Vito that he isn’t the toughest man to wear a dress (flash back to Regal vs Goldust on RAW Roulette) but just a bloody disgrace.
Fourth Contest: Vito vs Sir William Regal
Yeah. He’s a Sir now! Lock up and Regal gets a knee to the gut of Vito. Regal off the ropes a few times but gets flashed by Vito, who trips Regal and gets a quick bridge pinfall attempt. Regal with knees to the head of Vito, Vito off the ropes into an elbow by Regal. Regal drives his knee into the chest of Vito. Regal with a high kick to Vito, elbow drop for a two count. Another two count by Regal. Vito gets a legscissors on the gut of Regal and flashes him. Elbows and clotheslines by Vito followed by a shoulder body toss. Vito puts Regal in the Panty Stain, but Regal rolls out of the ring .. and gets counted out!
Winner: Vito
Well .. um .. it was there. For a quick match that wasn’t a squash, I’ve certainly seen worse. And Vito having fun, along with Regal’s acting, certainly makes for a few chuckles. -Two out of Ten.
Still to come: King Booker and Batista sign a contract for their SummerSlam return match!
Commercials.
Jimm Wang Yang hype … it’s so terrible.
M.V.P gets an interview with Michael Cole. Cole says that M.V.P is hiding behind his agent and has no desire to compete, but Montel brings up that Cole’s never had a fight nor an athletic bone in his body. M.V.P hides behind no one, he can beat anyone in the building, any man on the SmackDown Roster. He’s apparently a world class athlete, and that the fans in the arena don’t even deserve to be in his presence .. well, kind of boring promo, but it got the point across at least.
Commercials.
Fifth Contest: The Pitbulls vs London and Kendrick
Pitbulls attack early on, with Noble taking on London and Kash attacking Kendrick. London and Kendrick send the Pitbulls into each other, send Noble outside and isolate Kash. London off the top rope with a double axe handle to Kash, tag out to Kendrick who comes off the top rope to the arm of Kash again. Kendrick gets in a headlock on Kash, tags in London who comes in off the top rope with a stomp to the lower back of Kash for a two count. London hooks the arm but Kash sends him into the corner, London with elbows to the Pitbulls. London off the ropes, Noble distracts by trying to trip London but gets a swinging baseball slide. Noble drags London outside and kicks away before he rolls him back inside. NICE flipping suplex slam gets Kash a two count.
Noble in. Noble with a scoop slam and leg drop for a two count, broken by Kendrick. Noble gets the tape off his wrist and chokes London, before he tags out to Kash. London off the ropes into a double team shoulder block. Stiff kick to the back by Kash, before Kash pulls the hair. Kash chokes London on the second rope and nails some nice hooks, the referee takes him aside and Noble nails a kick to the head of London. Noble in and we have a double headbutt and choke, London tries to fight off Noble but Noble gets the advantage. Noble sends London into the corner for a loud chop, into the opposite corner London gets a high pair of knees and sends Noble face first into the corner. Kendrick gets the tag! Kendrick with elbows to the Pitbulls. High kicks and Elbows as well, Kendrick goes for the Sliced Bread No. 2 but gets clotheslined by Kash. Noble goes to Powerbomb Kendrick, but Kendrick reverses it into the pinfall victory!
Winners: London and Kendrick
K.C. James and Idol Stevens attack from behind post match, with the Pitbulls coming in to beat down London and Kendrick as well. Teacher’s pets beat down on London with a double team DDT while the Pitbulls take out Kendrick with a double team brainbuster. Heel tag teams stare down as we cut away. Sure ended abruptly. I still don’t like the ‘tag, move, tag, move’ acts no matter if Steve Murray does think they’re great. Match was going somewhere good (even without my bias towards London and Kendrick), but yet again it was too short to be much. Three out of Ten.
Commercials.
Contract Signing Time for a World Heavy Weight Championship Match next week between Batista vs King Booker. My attention sort of took a nose dive during this segment the first time around, so I just took a few random notes; those being that Batista and Sharmell look better than usual tonight. One problem with this segment is that Long asks King Booker if he wants to make a statement. I may be getting far too picky about it, but the Champion ALWAYS has words .. always. Words are exchanged, Booker calls Batista a rogue, charade, and that he will wrestle him and that he will tame the animal and the beast called Batista. Batista has a few comments of his own; mostly that Booker only has the title by a technicality, that Booker has and never will beat him, and that next week he will regain the championship – which, of course, makes Booker rather mad. The contracts are signed. Booker goes for a clothesline but Batista spinebusters Booker through the table (even though it takes him two attempts) .. what a boring way to end SmackDown. Not to the level of King Booker’s recent stuff. Although there was one great moment; Booker signed the contract first and then dropped it on the table instead of handing it to Batista. The segment should make for some nice quotes for future video packages between the two.
Gregory Helms vs Matt Hardy: 7/10
Tatanka vs The Miz: 2/10
Kennedy vs Finlay vs Lashley: 10/10
Vito vs Regal: -2/10
Hooliganz vs Pitbulls: 3/10
SmackDown 1/09/06: 20/50
With the Triple Threat match being one of the better free to air matches presented by the WWE in a fair while and all of SmackDown’s storylines coming along nicely there’s not really many reasons to complain about this week’s episode. Yeah, King Booker didn’t shine as usual however outside of that I can’t think of any reasons not to at least consider watching SmackDown this week. Was odd to not see Sylvester Turkay get his weekly squash, however. Until next week, Ciao Y’all.
