This is it! The last bit of WWE programming, and it promises to be a good one. 600 episodes for the elite blue brand, and a monstrous match is planned. I can’t remember the last time I was this thrilled to watch an episode of Smackdown, but the fan in me is ready to go!
Edge is out first, followed by Randy Orton, John Morrison, R-Truth, Rey Mysterio, and of course, John Cena. Now for the next team, CM Punk walks out, followed by Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Drew McIntyre, Kane, and Dolph Ziggler.
With all these men in one ring, please try to bear with me as I type my little fingers to the bone. I’m sure it’ll be a crazy jumble of spots and names, but it makes sense in my head when I write it, and that’s all that matters.
Here we go! Sheamus starts out, but Drew wants to tag in and does so. Edge is starting it off for Team Face, and Drew backs Edge into the corner, but Edge takes control quickly. Truth tags in and picks up where Edge left off. Dolph in, again, picking up where Drew left off. Randy in, destroying Dolph. Cena comes in, manhandling the Champion by Association. Dolph rallies for a moment but it ultimately knocked down as JoMo tags in. Now Dolph is firmly in control. Oops, I lied. JoMo has Ziggler in Starship Pain position but Dolph counters, tags in Sheamus and…
Commercial.
Sheamus is covering JoMo when we return, but tags in Punk who begins taunting JoMo immediately. He tries to hold JoMo in a submission but he crawls closer and closer to his corner and…tags in Rey for a rematch we all want to see. Senton from Rey, Crossbody, kick, pin for two and a half. Punk had him in GTS position, countered, 619 position, caught, backbreaker. Kane tags in, stomping Rey in the corner. Randy and Cena are acting as cheerleaders, bouncing around in the corner as Kane clutches Rey in a bear hug, but Rey powers out getting fired up, but he’s caught in Chokeslam position, fights out, but Kane throws him from the ring where Punk attacks.
Commercial.
Barrett in the ring with Rey upon return, Sheamus tags in, Rey almost gets to his corner but is stopped by Sheamus. Slowing it back down in the middle, Rey rises up, fights out, again going for his corner but fails, and is hit with yet another backbreaker. Barrett back in, Rey counters the attack and sends Barrett into the turnbuckle, Edge tags in, Dolph tags in, Edge stomps Ziggler. Crazy eyes, time! He charges but Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick (ready for a string of signature moves?), JoMo takes out Sheamus with a high kick, Kane takes out JoMo with a Chokeslam, Cena takes out Kane with an AA, Punk takes out Cena with the GTS, Randy takes out Punk with RKO, Drew takes out Randy with Futureshock, Truth takes out Drew with Lie Detector, and Barrett tosses Truth away. Hurricanrana from Rey, 619 position for Barrett, as well as Ziggler, connects, Edge Spears Dolph, and it’s OVER!
Grade: B+
Let’s be honest, I thought this was going to be a clusterfucked mess. But it was actually done pretty well. I especially liked the procession of all the signature moves, which isn’t out of the blue. But you had Drew McIntyre taking out Randy Orton…come on, that’s pretty cool. Not a single moment lulled, but it wasn’t overpowering either. It was overall an excellent match.
Edge stares down the Wrestlemania sign, but “Excuse me!†rips through the arena. She tells him to hand over the belt, as he is no longer champion. She shows him why via video package. She claims that Edge is the one that took out Teddy Long. To the shock of many people, she fires the Rated R Superstar on the spot. His eyes bug out for a very different reason this time and abruptly we go to…
Commercial.
“Vickie Sucks†chants echo out, as Michael Cole defends her decision.
Moving straight on, we’re reminded about Cody Rhodes’s broken nose situation, and we jump straight over to Todd Grisham interviewing Cody. He’s wearing an odd translucent mask with shadows strategically covering his face. The Phantom of the Opera says he’s been cleared for action, and he has a huge announcement next week.
Eve and Beth Phoenix enter solemnly.
We go to another 2.21.2011 vignette (hey, that’s coming up on Monday, right?)…
Commercial.
Clips are being shown of the first Smackdown, that took place on August 26th, 1999. Triple H against The Rock…you have to love it.
Layla and Maryse are in the ring, with Michelle on commentary thanks to her injuries. Beth is tossing Maryse’s frail frame around, and Layla is in. She drops Beth to her knees before Beth charges. Eve in, but Layla is fighting out, but wait, Eve is in control again. Michelle limps over to the ring where Beth drops her, Maryse and Layla attack Eve while she’s distracted, and it’s over.
Grade: F
Layla and Beth were involved in a tables match in December…why are they back here? If they wanted to make this match completely useless, where was Rosa? It’s Beth Phoenix, guys. Give her a real contest.
Commercial.
Come back to a recap of The Rock’s big speech on Monday.
Commercial.
Come back this time, to the video from the Smackdown that took place two days after 9/11. I remember watching that, and the chills that erupted from my body as the entire locker room emptied, as well as official and crew members…and the look on Lilian’s face. Amazing.
Back to reality, Kofi Kingston is entering, followed by The Miz. And Michael Cole just pitched a tent.
Bell rings, and here we go. The announcers chat about Tough Enough and Miz’s contribution, as the two men go at it. Kofi with the upper hand, both in the corner, but Miz works in some punches. The ref is concerned with Riley, and Kofi is knocked down from the second rope.
Commercial.
Miz in control when we return, Kofi counters with a pin for two. They trade punches and then Kofi goes for SOS…which fails. High dropkick, for two. A tall crossbody from Kofi, then a backbreaker into a neckbreaker from Miz. Kofi takes the control back, Boom Drop, signals for Trouble in Paradise, and Alberto walks out…Miz rolls up Kofi for two, Kofi reverses it rolls up Miz for two, Alberto does that locker room towel thing with his scarf and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the victory.
Grade: C-
These two looked great but it wasn’t an exhilarating match, like I thought it would be. Alberto’s interaction was subtle enough, and all the reversals and near pinfalls for both men was a nice touch. But I still think they could have done more with it.
Alberto stands over Kofi’s body, laughing. His music cues up, and he retreats.
Now they’re showing the longest running weekly episodic TV shows and they are:
10. My Three Sons – 369
9. Bonanza – 430
8. Ozzie and Harriet – 435
7. Death Valley Days – 452
6. Law and Order – 456
5. The Simpsons – 477
4. Lassie – 588
3. Friday Night Smackdown – 600
2. Gunsmoke – 633
1. Monday Night Raw – 925
So, if it ever comes up on Jeopardy, now you know.
Commercial.
Aw, a video package of Eddie Guerrero’s victory/celebration!
Wasting little time, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel walk out. Obviously, Santino and Kozlov are next. J-Gabe and Kozlov up first. Kozlov easily takes care of J-Gabe, which causes Barrett and Big Zeke to walk out. Barrett distracts Kozlov long enough for J-Gabe to get back in the ring easily, and Slater tags in. He has the Russian in the corner, Heath charges but Kozlov stops him and sends him flying. Santino and J-Gabe in, Santino making quick work of him. Heath and Kozlov intervene, but take their business elsewhere. Santino hits the Cobra, but Barrett charges forcing a disqualification.
Of course, Big Show runs out to equalize, and he takes out every member, except Big Zeke who crawls into the ring. But the other Corre members won’t let him, and all four retreat.
Commercial, as they set up the ring for the coronation.
And we’re back. Vickie and Dolph are in the ring, with the shiny strap placed gently on the table. Dolph is smiling like a school girl. He holds it up with victory, but wait! Teddy Long’s music plays! He walks towards the ring, and Vickie looks like she may faint.
Immediately, he attacks Vickie verbally, and claims she was the one who put him out of commission. Vickie blames Dolph, saying it was his idea and he is livid. Teddy has a trick up his sleeve, as he says there will be a world title match now. Edge has been reinstated, and walks out for this match.
Commercial.
Here we go! Edge is releasing all of his aggression, signals for a Spear which misses. The fight moves outside of the ring, and quickly back in. Dolph locks in the Sleeper, Edge fights out but Dolph still in control. Attempts the Zig Zag but Edge grabs the ropes, SPEAR, and it’s over!
Grade: C
It was good for what it was: a quick win to reinstate Edge completely. Both men really portrayed their lust for it though, which made it even better.
Teddy walks out again while Vickie is berating Dolph. Teddy fires Dolph! Dolph Ziggler is fired! Edge shouts Vickie’s signature line, and talks about the 600th episode. Edge talks about the fact that he was there for the first episode, and stands tall as the Heavyweight Champ on the 600th. He says he wants to sing which means…
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye.
Well, I’m quite thrilled to see where this takes us. I love Dolph, and know he’ll have some tricks up his sleeve.
Credits roll.
