WWE Smackdown
November 13, 2009
Sheffield, England
Report by: Mike Tedesco of WrestleView.com
?Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event?? The WWE video leads us into the show.
The Smackdown video plays and we?re brought into the arena with fireworks blazing. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcome us to the show. Our Main Event will be Chris Jericho taking on the Undertaker for the first time ever. Batista and Rey Mysterio will also have a contract signing for their Survivor Series match. We?ll also see Dolph Ziggler attempt to take the Intercontinental Championship away from John Morrison. Looks like we?ve got a packed show!
CM Punk’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. As he makes his way to the ring we see footage from last week when Scott Armstrong fast counted CM Punk, costing him his match against R-Truth. Punk makes light of the United Kingdom, saying it used to have Kings and Knights as well as ruling half the world, but now they?re just as bad as the Americans. They can pretend they don?t spend their days in a little pub and pretend they don?t spend every night filling their lungs and noses with carcinogens. They can also pretend they don?t chew tobacco, a habit which makes him sick. Punk says they?re weak minded and have no heart. All they can do is ?boo? and wave a finger at him. They need a person such as himself to teach them the proper way to live. They should all aspire to be as great as he is. Punk says he’s better than him and it’s not him. His mind and body is clear and free of poison.
Punk says he’s perfect in every way ? he doesn?t need a crutch like the people do or a crooked official like Scott Armstrong. Punk says he filed a complaint to the Board of Directors against him. As far as tonight goes he?ll beat R-Truth, just like he?ll do at Survivor Series, and just like he could beat up everyone in the arena. Punk is the choice of a new generation. R-Truth will come out asking ?What’s up? and he?ll tell him Straightedge.
R-Truth makes his entrance and gets in the ring. R-Truth says CM Punk can file any complaint he wants as that’s his prerogative. Ok? R-Truth says he’s filing a complaint as well. His complaint is against CM Punk for him impersonating a man. R-Truth says he didn?t come out to put him down and make him look bad as he does that all by himself. R-Truth did come out to add flavor, excitement, and to shut Punk up. The people pay their hard earned money to see action, not to hear Punk preach. He’s seen punks like him before and he is a punk. The truth is he goes around telling people how they should live their lives so he can feel better about himself. That’s the truth and tonight the truth will hurt. R-Truth asks the crowd ?What’s up? and the match can begin now.
CM Punk vs. R-Truth
They approach one another in the center of the ring and Punk shoves him. R-Truth answers back with some right hands. R-Truth bounces his face in the corner and slaps him. R-Truth has a whip reversed on him so he tries to catapult over but he lands right in GTS position. R-Truth gets out of it and hits a heel kick to the face for a one count. Punk hits a kick, sends him into the ropes, and R-Truth holds on. Punk charges and R-Truth back body drops him over the top rope. We?ll take a break here.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Punk locked in an arm bar. Punk gets to his feet and backs R-Truth into the corner. Punk drives some shoulders into his midsection and whips him to the opposite corner. Punk runs into an elbow and R-Truth goes up top. Punk kicks him leg and he falls hard to the mat clutching his knee. Punk works on the knee with stomps and leg locks. Punk hits a kick and a chop block for a two count. R-Truth counters with a jawbreaker. R-Truth goes into the ropes and gets hit with a drop-toe-hold. Punk locks on an Indian Death Lock with a neck bridge. Absolutely beautiful! R-Truth gets out of it with some punches. Punk goes to the apron and springboards off the top rope right into a dropkick.
Both men get to their feet and R-Truth starts punching. Punk runs into a knee and eats a clothesline. R-Truth covers for a one count. R-Truth hits a back suplex for a near fall. R-Truth goes for the Scissors Kick but Punk moves and kicks him in the knee. Punk signals that it’s time for him to Go To Sleep. Punk gets him up but R-Truth wriggles into a sunset flip attempt. Punk sits on his shoulders, grabs the rope, and gets the cheap win.
Winner by Pinfall: CM Punk
Match Rating: ** ?
CM Punk quickly gets out of the ring and acts like this is a big deal.
Todd Grisham and Matt Striker promote Rey Mysterio’s book ?Behind the Mask.? It should be a good read. Later tonight we?ll see the contract signing for Batista versus Rey Mysterio at Survivor Series.
Mickie James is making her way to the ring when she’s stopped by Layla, who can?t believe Mickie is still on Smackdown. Mickie says she can?t believe she’s still talking. Layla says they should take their advice and leave. Mickie calls her ?Scary Spice.? While all this is going on Michelle McCool walks into her locker room in the background. Mickie walks off.
-Commercial Break-
Our Main Event is Undertaker taking on Chris Jericho for the first time ever.
We get a shot of the House of Parliament and Big Ben.
Natalya vs. Mickie James
They talk a little trash before Natalya gets a waist lock takedown and slaps her on the head. Natalya wrenches the arm and talks some trash. Mickie gets out with a cartwheel and some punches. Natalya reverses a whip but Mickie slides through her legs and snapmares her. Mickie dropkicks her in the face and Natalya quickly rolls out of the ring. Mickie goes to the outside and Natalya pushes her into the steel steps. Natalya slides her in the ring and covers for a near fall.
Natalya picks her up by the hair and slams her down. Natalya locks on a picture perfect Mexican surfboard, only releasing the hold when she nearly pins herself. Natalya punches her in the corner until the referee backs her up. Natalya walks into a kick so she grabs the legs and tries to slam her. Mickie lands on her feet and begins punching her. Natalya answers with some punches in the corner. Natalya runs in to a back elbow and then a hurricanrana. Mickie hits a trio of clotheslines. Natalya answers with a chop and throws her out of the ring. Mickie quickly gets on the apron and goes to the top rope. Mickie hits a Thesz Press off the top rope as Michelle McCool and Layla walk out with her clothes. This distracts her enough for Natalya to clothesline her in the back of the head. McCool and Layla cut her clothes up as Natalya locks on a Sharpshooter and gets the submission win!
Winner by Submission: Natalya
Match Rating: * ?
McCool and Layla rip her pants apart before walking up the ramp smiling.
A video plays of the people who waited outside for WrestleMania tickets. As someone who has attended a WrestleMania live, I can understand the excitement.
John Morrison will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler tonight.
The Hulk Hogan DVD commercial airs, with emphasis on these matches being from his prime in the 80s.
-Commercial Break-
Josh Mathews is interviewing John Morrison. Mathews asks how he feels about defending his Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler. Morrison asks how he feels because he’s the Friday Night Delight. Morrison says the title is on the line and he feels the pressure but the difference between him and Ziggler is that Ziggler can?t handle that pressure. Ziggler’s calling his mom long distance and complaining so he?ll make a mistake tonight. Morrison says he thrives on the pressure. Tonight he’s going to hit him harder than Ricky Hatton, kick him harder than David Beckham, and rock this mother harder than the Beatles. At the end of the match Ziggler will be lying on the mat looking at Morrison still the Intercontinental Champion.
As McIntyre comes out we?re reminded of his vicious assault on Finlay from two weeks ago. McIntyre gets in the ring and says two weeks ago he didn?t let Finlay in the ring because he’s not worthy. McIntyre says he’s had a change of heart because he heard Finlay loves to fight. Because he wants to make an impact he?ll fight and defeat Finlay.
-Commercial Break-
Drew McIntyre vs. Finlay
The controversial Scott Armstrong is calling this match. They circle the ring and lock up. Finlay quickly gets him to his knees and elbows him in the face. Finlay hits a short-arm clothesline and some uppercuts. Finlay chops him in the corner. Finlay has a whip reversed on him but McIntyre lowers his head and gets kicked in the face. McIntyre quickly responds with a kick to the face and Finlay falls out of the ring. McIntyre clubs him from behind and hits a short-arm clothesline on the outside. McIntyre rolls him back in the ring and stomps him.
McIntyre works on Finlay’s injured arm with kicks and an arm bar. Finlay fights up and punches out. Finlay punches him so hard he goes over the top rope. Finlay sends him into the barricade and throws him in the ring. McIntyre grounds and pounds him when he gets back in the ring. They slug it out and I guess they were throwing closed fists because the referee calls the match.
Winner: No Contest
Match Rating: * ?
Finlay grabs the shillelagh and gets a big boot for his trouble. McIntyre picks it up and waits for Finlay to get up. Finlay gets to his feet and gets knocked out by his own shillelagh. McIntyre looks wild as he gets out of the ring. McIntyre then returns to the ring and picks the shillelagh up again. McIntyre then strikes him in the chest while he’s down on the mat. McIntyre puts his hands up and leaves the ring.
Coming up next we?ll see Batista and Rey Mysterio in a contract signing.
In the ring referees and trainers are surrounding Finlay. Finlay is hurting but he sits up and gets to his feet. The crowd applauds Finlay as we see replays of the match (or brawl). Finlay is woozy but he walks to the back.
-Commercial Break-
Did you know despite the baseball playoffs and World Series, WWE.com still delivered more page views than MLB.com during the month of October?
Matt Striker is in the ring, which has black carpet, a table, and two chairs ? you know, traditional stuff for the contract signing. Matt Striker builds the match up and introduces Rey Mysterio first. I forgot to mention it last week but Mysterio finally shaved off that gross patch of chin hair. Batista is out next to a ton of boos. He’s holding a black folder. As he makes his way to the ring we see footage from Bragging Rights.
Matt Striker asks them to have a seat and make the match official. Batista smiles and asks Rey how he’s doing before signing the contract. Mysterio signs it and its official. Batista says he has something else he wants Mysterio to sign. Batista says it’s a hold harmless agreement, which means he cannot legally be held responsible for what he does to him. What that means is not him, his family, or the promotion can sue him for what he does at Survivor Series. Mysterio says he won?t sign it.
Batista angrily takes off his sunglasses and says he’s exactly what he thought he was ? a coward hiding behind a goofy mask. He was supposed to be his friend but he cost him his World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio will sign it or he?ll snap his neck like a twig. Mysterio thinks about it and actually signs it. Mysterio says he sees what Batista is doing ? he’s trying to bully him because he thought he wouldn?t sign it. Mysterio says it won?t be him being embarrassed at Survivor Series ? it?ll be Batista. Mysterio then pushes the table over on Batista and quickly leaves the ring! Batista angrily gets up and destroys the chairs. That was a solid segment.
Later tonight we?ll see Chris Jericho take on Undertaker for the first time ever but next we?ll see John Morrison take on Dolph Ziggler with the Intercontinental Championship on the line.
-Commercial Break-
The Smack of the Night is Dolph Ziggler defeating John Morrison by Count-Out two weeks ago.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison (c)
The bell rings and they circle the ring before Morrison attempts a single leg. Ziggler punches him away and runs to the apron when Morrison charges. The referee backs Morrison up and Ziggler gets a cheap shot. Ziggler stomps and punches him. Morrison gets a quick roll-up for a no count. Morrison takes him out with some punches and hits a one man flapjack. Morrison hits a break dance leg drop for a two count. Morrison hits him with a knee in the corner and goes to the top rope but Ziggler recovers just in time to swipe his leg. Morrison lands abdomen first on the top rope. Ziggler hits a dropkick and covers for a near fall. Ziggler kicks him in the ribs and hits a gut buster for another near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Morrison locked in a grounded bear hug. Morrison punches out of it and gets to his feet. Morrison punches him to the corner and whips him to the opposite side. Morrison charges and dives but Ziggler moves and Morrison hits the top rope, falling to the mat and lands on his head. Ziggler snapmares him and hits a rolling neck snapper for a near fall. Ziggler kicks him and drops some elbows on the injured midsection. Ziggler drops a big one for a near fall. Ziggler locks a body scissors on. Morrison elbows out but Ziggler quickly drops him with a body slam for a near fall.
Ziggler kicks him in the head and talks trash until Morrison slaps him. They trade punches with Morrison coming out on top. Ziggler tries for a back suplex but Morrison flips, lands on his feet, and hits a flying forearm shiver. Morrison hits a clothesline and a jumping calf kick for a near fall. Morrison goes for the Moonlight Drive but Ziggler counters into a big face buster for a near fall. Ziggler punches him in the back of the head a few times and gets him up only for Morrison to hit a ?Wayne Rooney? kick to the face for a near fall. Morrison goes for Starship Pain but Ziggler moves. Ziggler rolls him up and puts his feet on the ropes but the referee doesn?t count as he caught him. Morrison hits the Flying Chuck and covers for a close near fall.
Ziggler goes to the apron and attacks Morrison’s ribs when he approaches him. Ziggler punches him in the head and they climb the ropes. They punch each other silly until they both fall from the top rope to the outside! Ziggler lands flat on the floor and Morrison hits the barricade hard! They both are knocked out and get counted out!
Winner: Double Count-Out
Match Rating: ** ?
Later tonight we?ll see Chris Jericho versus Undertaker for the first time ever.
-Commercial Break-
Matt Striker thanks Art of Dying for ?Get Thru This,? the official theme song of Survivor Series.
Lisa Taylor vs. Beth Phoenix
Taylor tries for a quick roll-up but Phoenix never leaves her feet. Phoenix punches her wildly before hitting a big shoulder breaker. Phoenix still holds on to her and drives her upside down into the corner, hanging her in the tree of woe. Phoenix then takes her and hits a sick neckbreaker. Phoenix hits a delayed Glam Slam for the easy win. Highly enjoyable squash match.
Winner by Pinfall: Beth Phoenix
Match Rating: *
Backstage we see Chris Jericho preparing for his match. Josh Mathews walks in and asks if he’s concerned about facing the Deadman. Jericho scoffs and says he assumes Mathews is just like the parasites and hypocrites who think Undertaker is actually dead. Jericho says he’s just a man and can be beat. For ten years we?ve waited to see them lock up and for twenty years we?ve believed he’s a magic man. Jericho says he can be beat and he will be beat. Jericho says he’s the best in the world at what he does. Jericho says a man won?t stop him tonight and nor a man and a giant at Survivor Series. Jericho says he?ll win the World Heavyweight Championship and that’s real.
-Commercial Break-
Next week John Morrison will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler in a Two out of Three Falls Match! What a match that will be!
Chris Jericho vs. Undertaker
This is the first time their paths have crossed in a singles match in the ten years Jericho has been with the company. I?ve personally looked forward to this match for a long time and I can?t wait to watch it.
Charles Robinson, my favorite, has this match. Undertaker quickly corners Jericho but Jericho is able to quickly duck a punch and he starts punching Undertaker. The referee backs him up and Undertaker grabs him by the throat and throws him into the corner. Undertaker punches him down in the corner and bounces his face off the other corner. Undertaker sends him into the ropes and lowers his head so Jericho kicks him in the face. Undertaker just looks at him and clotheslines him over the top rope!
Undertaker goes outside and bounces his face off the apron. Undertaker sets him up on the apron and hits his huge guillotine leg drop. Undertaker stomps his hand and wrenches the arm. Undertaker shoulders him down and drops a leg on the arm for a one count. Undertaker wrenches the arm again and goes for Old School. Undertaker goes to the top rope and Jericho quickly flips him off and to the mat. We?ll take a break here.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jericho punching Undertaker repeatedly in the head while talking trash. Jericho stomps Undertaker in the corner until he’s admonished by the referee. Undertaker kicks and elbows Jericho before whipping him to the corner. Undertaker runs into a boot and Jericho takes him down with a missile dropkick for a two count. Jericho locks on an arm trap chin lock. Undertaker fights to his feet and powers out of the hold. Jericho knees him in the midsection and kicks him out of the ring. Jericho taunts the crowd as Undertaker gets up.
Jericho goes to the apron and comes off with a flying forearm. Jericho sends Undertaker into the barricade and punches him. Jericho sends him into the ring and chokes him on the second rope. Jericho then stands on him while choking him on the rope. Jericho then walks into an elbow. Jericho comes back with some punches and kicks. Jericho punches him down to his knees and talks more trash. Jericho chokes him again, this time with his foot. Undertaker has had enough and grabs him by the throat but Jericho kicks and punches out.
They trade punches with Undertaker coming out on top. Undertaker sends him to the corner and splashes him. Undertaker hits snake eyes and goes into the ropes only to be taken out by a dropkick, giving Jericho a near fall! Jericho punches Undertaker some more until he’s admonished by the referee. Undertaker grabs him by the throat but Jericho elbows out. Jericho goes into the ropes and runs right into a big boot. Undertaker backs up and charges Jericho in the corner but Jericho moves. Jericho goes for the ten punches until Undertaker attempts a Last Ride. Jericho gets out of it and hits the Codebreaker out of nowhere for a near fall! That was awesome!
Jericho does Undertaker’s taunt and goes for the Tombstone but Undertaker counters into an attempt of his own. Jericho slides off and chop blocks him. Jericho hits the Lionsault and goes for a cover but Undertaker sits up out of nowhere! Undertaker grabs him by the throat and goes for a Chokeslam but Jericho counters into a cradle! Jericho releases it and locks on the Walls of Jericho! Undertaker is able to turn on his back and lock Jericho in Hell’s Gate! Jericho taps out and the match is over!
Winner by Submission: Undertaker
Match Rating: *** ?
Almost as soon as the match ends, Big Show’s music hits. Big Show gets on the apron and goads Undertaker into attacking him. Big Show gets off and Jericho tries to blindside him. Undertaker catches him but Big Show sweeps his feet. The Unified Tag Team Champions gang up on Undertaker with punches. Big Show hits his Chokeslam and drops a leg on him. Jericho locks him in the Walls of Jericho and Big Show locks on his Colossal Clutch! All of a sudden Kane’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring! Big Show decides to leave the ring without Jericho’s knowledge. Jericho then eats a big boot and he gets out of the ring. Kane checks on his brother.
Vince McMahon is backstage watching. He calls Teddy Long and says he hasn?t seen Kane and Undertaker together in years. McMahon makes Kane and Undertaker versus Jericho and Big Show for next week! McMahon asks Long why he’s feeling under the weather and wonders if he has rabies or the Swine Flu. McMahon says he?ll see him next week and reminds him he’s still on probation.
In the ring Undertaker stands next to Kane and Kane explodes the ring posts. What a great way to end Smackdown.
Quick Match Results
CM Punk def. R-Truth
Natalya def. Mickie James via Submission
Drew McIntyre NC Finlay
IC Title: John Morrison fought Dolph Ziggler to a Double CO
Beth Phoenix def. Lisa Taylor
Undertaker def. Chris Jericho via Submission (non-title)
Bump of the Night: Morrison and Ziggler’s fall from the top rope to the outside!
Match of the Night: Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho *** ?
Mike’s Thoughts
For the first time since the tenth anniversary show over a month ago we had a great Smackdown! They really pulled out all stops here and we got a little bit of everything. We got some great wrestling, intriguing storylines, and a match-up we?ve never seen before.
We?ll start off with that match-up we?ve never seen before. Undertaker and Chris Jericho, as amazing as it sounds, have never crossed paths in a singles match before in WWE. Well, they didn?t disappoint. They had a tremendous match that had me really excited and left me wanting way more. Could this be a possible preview of a WrestleMania match should Edge not be ready for a return yet? That?d be amazing. They could probably match Undertaker’s match with Shawn Michaels from this past WrestleMania. It was just an absolutely enjoyable and fun match. Check it out if you missed it.
The next big thing to happen tonight was the Batista and Rey Mysterio contract signing. Not much was said but it didn?t need to. Everything was there. The emotion and the drama was there. It was solid as hell and I?m really looking forward to their match at Survivor Series.
John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler had another tremendous match. It ended with a double count-out but not to worry as we?ll see them wrestle again next week in a two out of three falls match with the title on the line. It’s great to see two young stars get a lot of time to hone their craft.
CM Punk took on R-Truth in a great match. R-Truth really shone bright in that match. Even his promo was great. I?m so happy we?ve moved on from that Pretty Ricky stuff. R-Truth may not ever be a main eventer in WWE but he showed he has the character to be up there around them. This was the first time R-Truth actually excited me since he debuted last September.
The rest of the show was great as well. Drew McIntyre and Finlay brawled and beat the crap out of each other. Natalya got a big win over Mickie James, which made me extremely happy. She also won it with Uncle Bret’s Sharpshooter! Go Harts! Beth Phoenix also destroyed some jobber and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
All in all Smackdown was awesome tonight, proving why it’s Mr. V’s winner in the TV Wars, however premature this victory is. Next week’s show should be just as good as the Brother of Destruction return to face JeriShow.
Final Rating: *** ?
Agree with my thoughts or not? Like the recap or not? E-mail me!
E-Mail ? MikeyT817@hotmail.com
Be sure to check out yesterday’s Superstars recap.
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