Some good news for people who care, I got accepted into Diploma of Communication and Media. Problem is, I’m already in Diploma of Multimedia and their timetables cross. So being the fool I am, I’m deciding to at least try doing both. Yes, stupid decision on my part, and I just know I’ll end up dropping Multimedia in about five weeks but oh well. On to SmackDown …
Video recap of Mr. Kennedy’s promo last week, screwing the Undertaker against Miz, as well as their match on last week’s episode. Usual SmackDown opening video, and Batista opens the show. Gregory Helms follows and reminds us that he’s the longest reigning Champion, before saying Batista will lose the title at the Royal Rumble. That’s the most mic time he’s gotten since commentating matches during his Hardy feud.
Opening Contest: Batista vs. Gregory Helms
Batista takes Helms into the corner to start for spears, but Helms gets a cheap shot and some rights in only to run into a big boot before being clotheslined over the top rope by Batista. Batista follows out and picks Helms up, but Helms rakes the eyes of Batista and rolls back inside. Batista returns into the ring only to get leg dropped by Helms. Helms with shots to the gut but gets pushed off by Batista, only for Batista to walk into a low dropkick. Helms with knees to the head of Batista, leg drop before he clubs away at Batista. Helms covers for a two count, several times. Helms off the ropes into a spinebuster by Batista. Spear follows and Batista hypes up, one Batista Bomb later and the match is over.
Winner: Batista
For a few moments it looked like Helms might actually get a good rub by getting some good shots in … only to be defeated by three moves. Oh well. Match was short at least. One out of Ten.
Commercials.
Cole and JBL welcome us back to SmackDown, and remind us of the Over The Top Rope challenge tonight: Finlay, Kane, Benoit, Booker, MVP, and Mizanin.
Second Contest: Chris Benoit vs. Mike Mizanin
Lock up to start and Mizanin gets put into the corner by Benoit, Benoit goes for a chop but Mizanin ducks and the referee talks Benoit back into the middle of the ring. Another lock up and Benoit gets an arm drag Mizanin ducks a chop and the two begin to circle. Lock up again and Benoit again forces Mizanin into the corner for knee shots, followed by forearms. Mizanin gets sent into the ropes and back into a forearm by Benoit. Benoit with a scoop slam and elbow drop for a one count. Mizanin irish whips Benoit but Benoit back with an elbow. Benoit with a backbreaker for a two count. Mizanin with a neckbreaker for a one count. Mizanin with hooks to the face of Benoit, covers for a brief pinfall attempt. Mizanin sends Benoit into the corner and blatantly chokes him, before getting a backdrop on Benoit for a two count. Mizanin with a headlock variation on Benoit, throwing some knees in as well, Mizanin lets go and clubs away at Benoit before hitting him with a scoop slam for a two count. Mizanin reapplies the headlock variation, but Benoit runs Mizanin into the corner for chops. Mizanin off the ropes into an axe handle by Benoit. Benoit gets the Triple Germans on Mizanin before he goes up top and gets the Swandive Headbutt. Benoit covers but Mizanin gets his foot on the bottom rope. Benoit goes to drag Mizanin back into the ring, but Mizanin holds onto the rope. Mizanin kicks Benoit but Benoit catches it and gets a leg drag, the Crippler Crossface is locked in and Mizanin taps!
Winner: Chris Benoit
Benoit really helped Mizanin here; throw him in some house show matches against Benoit and maybe it’ll rub off. Three out of Ten.
Backstage, Deuce, Domino, and Cherry punk out a stage hand. The guy with the brown hair, his teeth is really annoying.
Commercials.
Maryse welcomes us back to SmackDown.
Third Contest: Deuce ‘n Domino w/ Cherry vs. Jobber Cannon Fodder
Okay, again, Domino has brown hair and Deuce is Snuka Jr. Deuce kicks fodder one in the gut and slams him face first down, before tagging out to Domino. Domino sends Fodder one into the corner and Fodder two tags out. Domino gets a knee to the head of Fodder two before throwing him to the outside near Cherry, so Deuce attacks him. Deuce tagged in, irish whipped into fodder two by Domino and Deuce gets an elbow. Fodder two ducks a short arm clothesline by Deuce, and Deuce gets a nice crescent kick. Domino in, knocks fodder one off the apron, and Deuce is tagged back in – running boot to fodder two for the three count.
Winner: Deuce ‘n Domino w/ Cherry
-Four out of Ten. Some nice moments but it was still a long, drawn out squash.
MVP is backstage complaining to Long because he still has burns. MVP refuses to wrestle Kane (again?! Ugh) tonight, so Long says that if he refuses to compete then he won’t be able to compete in the Six Man Battle Royal tonight, nor the Royal Rumble.
Still to come: Over The Top Rope Challenge.
Commercials.
Fourth Contest: King Booker w/ Queen Sharmell vs. Finlay
The two circle to start before locking up, but Finlay cowers quickly and guards his face. Another lock up and Finlay takes the pair down. Booker with chops to Finlay, thumb to the eye by Finlay before Finlay shoves Booker down. Finlay with an elbow to the face, snapmare and butt thump follows. Finlay gets a rear naked chokehold but Booker gets up and forces Finlay into the corner. Booker with a hooked kick to Finlay for a two count. Finlay trips Booker and works the leg of Booker, setting it up on the bottom rope and dropping down on it. Finlay takes Booker to the corner and hooks Booker’s leg on the rope, before taking Booker back into the ring and tripping Booker down and working Booker’s leg again, turning it into a Boston crab briefly. Booker kicks Finlay off but Finlay takes him to the corner and sends his elbow into Booker’s knee, but Booker fights off and ducks a clothesline and gets a superkick to Finlay. Scoop slam and elbow drop by Booker. Finlay sends Booker into the corner and runs into him from behind, knocking them both down, before The Little Bastard begins chasing Sharmell away from the announcer’s table! The Little Bastard trips Sharmell up and tries to drag her under the ring but Booker saves her. Booker goes to choke The Little Bastard only for Finlay to attack Booker, Finlay shoves the referee down and continues fighting Booker only for the bell to ring!
Winner: King Booker
Odd to see King Booker playing the face for once. Three out of Ten. It was far too short.
Up next: MNM vs. Paul London, Brian Kendrick, and Ashley Massaro
Commercials.
WrestleMania 23 is 65 Days away. Oh, I’m getting all giddy!
Fifth Contest: MNM vs. Paul London, Brian Kendrick, and Ashley Massaro
Nitro and London start. London trips Nitro to start and gets a headlock on him right away, Nitro pushes him into the ropes and London back with a shoulder for a one count. Kendrick in and double team elbow to Nitro for a one count. London in with a double axe handle to the arm, Kendrick back in with an elbow to the arm of Nitro. London BACK in with a top rope stomp to Nitro’s arm. London off the ropes with a crossbody for a two count. London irish whips Nitro, Nitro holds onto the ropes and sends London to the apron. Mercury gets fought off by London and London goes for a top rope senton but Melina kicks him in the leg. Massaro goes to start stuff with Melina, but Mercury scares her off. Nitro covers London for a two count. Mercury in with a nice double team shoulder body toss for a two count. Nitro tagged back in and they flip London back first into the turnbuckles for a two count. Mercury gets a cheap kick in on London, before getting tagged in. London tags out to Kendrick who comes in with the usual; elbows, then kicks, it’s starting to be a bit predictable that bit. Nitro hooks Kendrick and Mercury takes a few shots only to run into a boot by Kendrick. Kendrick goes to jump outside to MNM, but Melina stops him and Melina gets taken down by a nice tackle by Massaro! Melina and Massaro fight to the outside while Mercury returns to the ring; Kendrick with the sunset flip from the top rope, London dropsaults Mercury and Kendrick covers but the pinfall is broken by Melina! Snapshot on Kendrick ends it!
Winners: MNM
I like everyone in this match, but yet another match too short to mean anything, was fun though. Four out of Ten.
Still to come: Over the top rope challenge.
Commercials.
Mr. Kennedy makes his way on out and reminds us how he beat Taker again last week, and how he’ll yet again defeat Batista at the Rumble. He reminds us that he is the fastest rising superstar in the history of the WWE thanks to having defeated six World Champions. He’s already proven he has the physical ability, mental tools, and it will be his crowning achievement at the Rumble when he becomes the new World Heavy Weight Champion. Batista’s music hits and he makes his way out to the ring, asking if Kennedy wants to slap Batista again. Batista continues to try and get Kennedy to slap him, but the lights black out! When the lights return Taker is standing behind Kennedy! Taker goes to big boot Kennedy from behind, but Kennedy ducks and Taker hits Batista! Short and right to the point.
Commercials.
Recap of Kennedy / Batista / Taker and the big boot.
Maryse welcomes us back to SmackDown, again.
Michael Cole is at ringside with Vladimir Kozlov, and Kozlov says he hasn’t decided which brand he has decided to sign with and wishes he could participate in the Royal Rumble. Right.
Backstage, Kristal Marshall flirts with Long briefly, she leaves before Vickie Guerrero comes in. Guerrero says that since he’s busy, she’ll come back later … Right.
Recap of Kane dominating the 2001 Royal Rumble; for those who need a reminder, that’s the Rumble with Drew Carey.
Up next: Kane vs. MVP
Commercials.
Sixth Contest: Kane vs. MVP
MVP ducks a right hand and runs across to the other side of the corner, Kane goes for another right but MVP ducks – Kane catches MVP and punches him in the burns area. Kane takes MVP into the corner and forces his knee into the burn area. MVP with some rights to Kane but Kane knees MVP and clubs him down, before he shoves his elbow into the burns. Kane with elbows to the head of MVP in the corner before he throat thrusts him down. Kane with a knee drop to the back of MVP, before he forces his knee into the burns area and pulls on MVP’s leg. MVP gets some rights in on Kane and comes off the ropes only for Kane to catch him and send him into the corner. Kane removes the top of MVP and continues to go after the back. Kane irish whips MVP into the corner back first, and Kane gets a scoop slam shortly after. MVP begins making his way up the entrance way only for Kane to attack from behind and sends MVP back into the ring. Kane picks MVP up onto his shoulders but MVP slides down and pushes Kane into the corner; MVP with a big boot, before he begins clubbing away at Kane. MVP with a blatant choke to Kane, before he gets to his feet and begins kicking away at Kane before dropkicking Kane out of the ring. Kane gets in a right hand to MVP but MVP quickly sends Kane into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Kane takes MVP into the corner for rights before he irish whips MVP into the ropes and back into a shoulder body toss. MVP gets up in the corner and Kane gets a pair of running clotheslines, sideslam follows. Kane goes up top and comes off with a flying clothesline to MVP, MVP rolls onto the apron and Kane dropkicks MVP outside. Kane rolls outside as well, and goes to Chokeslam MVP onto the table but MVP fights him off and attacks Kane with a steel chair!
Winner: Kane
MVP looks under the ring and pulls out a container of petrol, but Kane sits up! Kane big boots MVP down and picks the gasoline up for himself only for MVP to roll outside and begins making his way backstage. Far, far too long, but it had its moments. Two out of Ten.
Commercials.
Royal Rumble card run-down.
Kane and Benoit make their entrance for the Main Event.
Commercials.
Main Event: Over The Top Rope Challenge: Chris Benoit vs. Kane vs. King Booker vs. Finlay vs. Mike Mizanin vs. MVP
Kane sends MVP into the ring before the obligatory big fight starts out. Benoit and Booker stay together while Kane pretty much takes care of the rest. Finlay quickly gets the shillelagh and attacks Kane from behind, before eliminating him. Mizanin takes it to Finlay and MVP while Benoit and Booker fight outside on the ring. Finlay tries to eliminate Mizanin but Mizanin and MVP double team Finlay, but Finlay fights them both off before they can eliminate him. Short arm clothesline and uppercut to Mizanin by Finlay, Benoit taking it to Booker in the corner. Mizanin goes to eliminate Finlay, but Finlay falls back into the ring. MVP goes to eliminate Finlay and Benoit gets a clothesline on Booker. Benoit with a snap suplex on Booker, and Finlay lands on the apron. Finlay eliminates Mizanin, and gets attacked by Benoit right away. The lights go out and the bells gong! The lights return to show Taker standing in the ring! Taker fights off all the guys, even the eliminated Mizanin, and chokeslams Finlay! Benoit with chops to Taker, knees to the gut, but Taker gets the snake eyes on Benoit! Taker with the flying lariat to MVP! Booker goes for the Scissors Kick but gets hit with a Chokeslam! Chokeslam to MVP! Taker with a Tombstone ton Finlay! Mizanin attacks from behind, but Taker doesn’t move an inch and Chokeslams Mizanin as well! Taker throws the remaining guys out of the ring and hits Mizanin with a Last Ride, before he poses.
Winner: No Contest
Well … at least it wasn’t Stratus / Bradshaw vs. Nowinski / Jackie bad, but I was expecting SO much more from this. Maybe they’d have been better off if they incorporated the gradual entry idea to this match, as opposed to having it just be six guys wasting time. And to think that they could have had something really good here too. -Five out of Ten. This is probably why Battle Royales aren’t usually judged.
So, tonight’s show comes in with …
Batista vs. Gregory Helms: 1/10
Chris Benoit vs. Mike Mizanin: 3/10
Deuce ‘n Domino vs: Jobber Cannon Fodder: -4/10
King Booker vs. Finlay: 3/10
MNM vs. London, Kendrick, and Massaro: 4/10
Kane vs. MVP: 2/10
Battle Royal: -5/10
SmackDown 26/01/07: 4/70
The Inside Pulse
The worst part about this episode is the fact that so many of these matches should have been so good. Kane and MVP have worked together so much lately that they should be able to pull out a better match than they really did, King Booker and Finlay should have been at least a seven instead of a three. I’m satisfied with Benoit vs. Mizanin and I expect a lot more matches between these two; if they get some chemistry going then these two should be able to have some good matches, so I’m hoping that match was just done so the two could work on Mizanin’s ability as well as their own chemistry. The six person tag was pretty much what we’ve come to expect; not bad and favored by me. But the entire episode was such a let down and certainly not to the level it should have been. Oh well, if you’re buying the Royal Rumble then enjoy it, if not then enjoy the Live Coverage! Until next time.
