Sorry about the coverage being late guys, I fell asleep Friday afternoon and there wasn’t a replay until today. Better late than never as the cliché goes. Recap of some Batista and Undertaker stuff and we open up right away with King Booker and Queen Sharmell posing in the ring. Tonight: Undertaker vs. Finlay, and Batista vs. Kane.
Opening Contest: Matt Hardy vs. King Booker w/ Queen Sharmell
Some generic offence to start, with Booker getting the best of Hardy first before Hardy gets in some shots and follows with a clothesline bulldog combo. Booker with shoulders to the gut of Hardy and a Hardy chant resumes. Hardy falls behind a scoop slam with a school boy attempt. Hardy gets a headlock takedown on Booker and keeps the headlock on, Booker escapes but misses the hook kick, Hardy signals for the Twist of Fate but Booker escapes only to get sent outside by Hardy. Hardy with a cross body to the outside before we head to commercials.
Commercials.
We’re back and Hardy looks to have the upper hand, sending Booker face first into the turnbuckle and following with a clothesline for a two count. Booker reverses an irish whip and picks up Hardy and drops him throat first on the top rope before hitting Hardy with a superkick for a two count. Booker with a suplex to Hardy for a two count. Booker positions Hardy on the top turnbuckle and goes for a superplex but Hardy pushes Booker off and Hardy misses a moonsault! Booker gets a neckbreaker for a two count. Booker works the arm of Hardy but Hardy escapes and comes off the ropes into a spinning heel kick for a two count. Booker with mounted punches to Hardy. Hardy reverses a suplex with one of his own. Hardy gets some rights in, clotheslines and a Russian leg sweep for a two count.
Hardy goes for the clothesline bulldog combo but Booker pushes him off the bulldog attempt, Hardy turns into a kick to the gut by Booker and Booker goes for the scissors kick! Scissors kick misses and Hardy connects with the side effect for a two count! Hardy goes up to the second turnbuckle and connects with an elbow to the back of Booker’s neck, before getting a second turnbuckle leg drop on Booker for another two count. Sharmell gets up onto the apron and distracts Hardy. Booker misses a heel kick, Hardy misses a clothesline and goes for a Twist of Fate – Booker pushes Hardy into the ropes and Hardy knocks Booker and the ref, Sharmell hits Hardy with her shoe! Scissors kick for the three count!
Winner: King Booker
Had a quite good last few minutes. Why don’t they put these two together later on this year? If they’re serious about pushing Matt Hardy, then a series of matches between these two couldn’t hurt. Six out of Ten.
Kristal Marshall is backstage with Batista. She introduces one of those cool Undertaker Undefeated Streak videos, similar to the ones from Orton vs. Taker. It’s quite interesting to see what started as just a few wins turn into the thing it is today. Batista calls his streak incredible, but Batista says that the man who beats his streak will be more incredible – and he’s retaining the title at Mania. As for Kane, he’s going to do to Kane exactly what he’ll do to Taker at Mania.
Still to come: Undertaker vs. Finlay
Commercials. We’ve got Australia’s Next Top Model coming up in about two weeks, and all the girls are skinny white chicks. Incase you care.
Maryse welcomes us back to SmackDown.
Video recap of the McMahon / Guest Referee segment. I hope Bischoff comes back as one of the General Managers for the international brands, hopefully the Pacific one. I can’t believe that this Trump / McMahon stuff is actually getting some people to tune in, it’s weird.
MVP makes his way into Long’s office. He’s bitter about not getting into the MITB match even though Benoit lost, and he’s challenging Benoit for the United States Championship at WrestleMania. Long says he’ll take it into consideration.
Kristal Marshall tries to interview Kane, and she says that Batista called him sick, demented, and twisted. Kane laughs. Man, would’ve been cooler if Kane just shrugged and agreed.
Commercials.
Second Contest: Batista vs. Kane
The Armageddon 2002 rematch that everyone was craving for. Lock up and Kane pushes Batista off of him. Another lock up and Kane goes behind Batista and trips him and gets him in a headlock but Batista takes him to the corner. The pair exchange shoves. Kane with a headlock on Batista, Batista pushes Kane into the ropes and Kane comes back into a hip toss attempt, Kane goes for one of his own on Batista but Batista clotheslines him down. Batista with the spears in the corner. Batista gets a clothesline for a two count. Kane reverses an irish whip and Batista comes back into an elbow by Kane. Kane with offence in the corner before he chokes Batista with his foot. Batista ducks a clothesline and hits a DDT for a two count. Kane ducks a clothesline and goes for a chokeslam but Batista fights him off and clotheslines Kane outside.
Commercials.
We’re back and Batista has the upperhand in the corner, only for Kane to get the upperhand just to spite Batista. Batista gets a clothesline to Kane and follows up with mounted punches. Batista locks another headlock on Kane and Kane shoves him off but Batista comes back with a shoulder block, sending Kane outside of the ring. Kane drags Batista outside only for Batista to clothesline Kane again. Kane reverses a irish whip, sending Batista into the steel steps. Back in the ring Kane gets a two count before … getting a bodyscissors on Batista. Alright, has Kane done a bodyscissors before? Anyways, Batista elbows him off and follows up with right hands to the forehead of Kane. Kane sends Batista into the ropes and back into a big boot for a two count.
Kane sends a knee in between the shoulder blades of Batista before he drags Batista rib first to the steel post, pulling on Batista’s leg and head. Back in the ring Batista begins fighting Kane off but Kane sends him back first into the corner. Kane with an elbow drop to the lower back of Batista before Kane gets a bear hug on Batista. Batista reverses an irish whip and gets an elbow to Kane, following with a clothesline. Kane goes up top and goes for the flying clothesline but Batista gets a clothesline of his own! Batista goes to cover but Kane sits up! Kane goes for a chokeslam but Batista fights him off and sends Kane into the corner for a clothesline, Kane elbows Batista away only to run into a big boot! Batista covers for a two count. Kane with a sideslam to Batista for a two count. Kane goes back up top and connects with the flying clothesline for a two count!
Kane signals for the chokeslam but turns into a spinebuster by Batista! Batista goes for the Batista Bomb but Kane spears him into the corner and hits the chokeslam! One! Two! No! Batista kicks out just at the last second. I’m actually enjoying this match, even if it isn’t all that good. Kane goes for the ten count punches on Batista but Batista turns it into a Batista Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Batista
I enjoyed this match. It wasn’t that good, but I enjoyed it. It was certainly a lot better than I was expecting it to be, and if Undertaker brings it at WrestleMania I’ll certainly enjoy his and Batista’s match. Six out of Ten. Maybe my Pepsi Max has been spiked or something?
Another video recap of the Trump / McMahon feud, this time concentrating on Umaga vs. Lashley.
Looks like we’ve finally gotten WrestleMania graphics which aren’t for the MITB match.
Up next: debut of Miz TV with Ashley Massaro.
Commercials.
Even. More. Trump and McMahon. I told my marketing teacher about the idea, and she’s still laughing about the fact that it’s working.
Miz TV makes it’s debut, trying to not so subtly make people think it’s like old school MTV. To be a guest on the douchebag’s show, you’ve got to be a big star. He introduces Ashley Massaro, I hope they’re not planning to keep doing the Playboy cover part in her entrance way after Mania, but the pyro can stay. The pair says how much they enjoy Playboy, and Melina makes her way out! Is there any chance that Ashley / Melina could turn into the next Lita / Trish? Melina says she’s not jealous because Playboy couldn’t her Melina enough body, and her body is only for Nitro. Massaro says it’s time someone shut her up once and for all. Massaro challenges her for the Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Miz takes the Women’s Championship and Melina attacks Massaro. Massaro gets the upperhand and Melina runs. It’s no Trish vs. Christy Playboy angle, but that’s both a good and a bad thing depending on who you are.
Kane is backstage in pain, and Kristal Marshall makes her way up to him and asks for him to compare Batista and Undertaker, but The Great Khali attacks Kane! Oh, this is nostalgic. About three minutes later, we go to a commercial. Oh, and Kane’s bleeding too.
Commercials. Oh, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency starts here soon … I feel so manly right now. Cough.
Third Contest: Mr. Kennedy vs. CM Punk
Yay! I get to recap a Punk match! Go me! Circling to start and the two exchange a few kicks before Kennedy locks Punk in a headlock, Punk gets Kennedy in a headlock and Kennedy takes it to the corner. Kennedy bitch slaps Punk and runs out of the ring; Punk follows only to get clotheslined by Kennedy. Back in the ring, Kennedy gets a two count. Kennedy keeps the upper hand on Punk, sending him to the corner for stomps before going for the running boot, but Punk gets his feet up only for Kennedy to come back with more stomps. Kennedy with a scoop slam and goes for a splash but Punk gets his knees up. Punk with the chops and kicks before going for a high knee in the corner but Kennedy catches him and flips him outside.
Commercials.
We’re back again and Punk is kicking out of a pinfall attempt. A quiet chant for Punk starts up while Kennedy gets a headlock on, Punk escapes and takes it to Kennedy before getting a nice springboard crossbody. Kennedy runs into a heel kick by Punk for a two count. Punk sends Kennedy into the steel post shoulder first and connects with the knee, bulldog follows and gets Punk a two count. Kennedy positions Punk on the second turnbuckle with a low blow and gets a neckbreaker for … for the three count?
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Well, abrupt finish aside this wasn’t all too bad. But unspectacular and unsatisfying to say the least. Oh well, wasn’t bad while it lasted. Three out of Ten. Pity Punk didn’t win, now we’ll have to put up with more people bitching about how he’s being buried and all that junk. Some people just can’t be glad he’s got a steady job, can they?
Kristal Marshall is backstage with Finlay. Long story short is that Finlay’s not scared, and he’s Irish … Potato famine.
Commercials.
Main Event: Finlay vs. The Undertaker
Finlay avoids Undertaker for a little while to start before taking him into the corner with rights, but Taker throws Finlay into the corner for rights and lefts. Taker hooks the arm and works the shoulder before going for the Old School very early in the match, and connecting for a two count. Taker sends Finlay shoulder first into the top turnbuckle and punching away at it. Taker continues his attack on the arm until Finlay rakes the eyes and sends Taker outside. Finlay slams Taker’s head into the apron before getting in an uppercut, headbutt and a right hook before slamming Taker face first into the announcer’s table, but Taker kicks Finlay down and throws him into the timekeeper’s position. Hornswoggle looks to attack Taker from behind but Taker turns around and Hornswoggle runs, distracting the referee long enough for Finlay to attack Taker with a steel chair.
Commercials.
We’re back and Finlay is working the side of Taker. Finlay with a spear in the corner and follows with a snapmare and a few knee drops. Finlay gets the short arm clothesline and butt thump on Taker for a one count. Finlay takes it back outside and sends Taker shoulder first into the steel post, and is stopped from using the steel chair again. Taker sets Finlay on the apron and elbows his neck before getting a leg drop. Taker sends Finlay face first into the announcer’s table before big booting Finlay. Taker positions Finlay on his shoulders but Finlay falls behind and pushes Taker into the steel steps twice. Finlay rams Taker rib first into the apron before rolling inside and getting a baseball slide to Taker. Finlay jumps off the turnbuckle but Taker catches him and sends him back first into the steel post. Taker goes to whip Finlay into the steel steps but Finlay reverses it and Taker slams into the steps instead.
Finlay looks to use the shillelagh but the referee talks him out of it. Finlay with knees but Taker gets in a series of punches, the pair get back to their feet and Finlay boots Taker down. Finlay covers for a two count. Finlay with right hands to Taker and he tries for a suplex but Taker hits him with a suplex of his own. The two exchange rights and Taker gets the advantage, hitting Finlay with a flying lariat. Taker with a series of clotheslines to Finlay in the corner before he follows with the snake eyes big boot combo, leg drop gets Taker a two count. Taker signals for the chokeslam but Hornswoggle hits him with a shillelagh! Taker no sells it and boots Hornswoggle down! Low blow by Finlay, DDT and Finlay covers for a two count! Finlay readies his shillelagh but Taker grabs him by the throat – Finlay hits the weakened ribs of Taker and knocks Taker down with the shillelagh! One! Two! No! Taker sits up and big boots Finlay down! Chokeslam! Taker picks up Finlay and puts him down with the Tombstone for the three count!
Winner: The Undertaker
Post match, Batista makes his way to the entrance way and the two have a long distance stare down. [b]JUST BE VIOLENT ALREADY, DAMNIT![/b] … Ugh! That little annoyance aside, I seriously enjoyed this match. And yes, it was better in every way than Batista / Kane. Seven out of Ten. I’d love to see more between these two.
Matt Hardy vs.: King Booker: 6/10
Batista vs. Kane: 6/10
CM Punk vs. Mr. Kennedy: 3/10
Finlay vs. The Undertaker: 7/10
SmackDown 09/03/07: 22/40
The Inside Pulse
An actually good show? Alright, in comparison to recent weeks, this show should only count as an average show – but it was so nice to not see a pile of shit for once. I enjoyed pretty much everything here tonight, but then again I haven’t been stuck in class all day as opposed to what I usually am and it’s the best all around show which SmackDown has presented since I started this show. I suggest at least trying to catch a replay, if there’s going to be any shown before the next episode wherever you are. Anyways, until next time, have a good time yáll!
Summary — Match Results
King Booker defeated Matt Hardy via pinfall (Queen Sharmell interference)
Batista defeated Kane via pinfall
Mr. Kennedy defeated CM Punk via pinfall
Undertaker defeated Finlay via pinfall
