WWE Smackdown
May 29, 2009
Los Angeles, CA
Report by: Mike Tedesco of WrestleView.com
?Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event?? The WWE video leads us into the show.
We open up the show to the sounds of Rey Mysterio’s music and the Intercontinental Champion makes his way to the ring. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross and Todd Grisham welcome us to the show and announce that tonight’s Main Event will be Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio taking on ?Team Ego? Edge and Chris Jericho.
Mysterio gets in the ring and asks ?What’s up? in Spanish. He mentions that it’s good to be back in his home state and speaks a little Spanish for the crowd. I failed Spanish when I was in high school back in the day. Mysterio says in a little over a week it’s going to feel good to bash Chris Jericho’s head in a No Holds Barred Match at Extreme Rules. He says a lot of people have been saying he shouldn?t have requested that match because it can be dangerous but he thinks it?ll be off the hook because he can hit Jericho with any move he wants ? the 619, a 213, a 323, a 310, and even an 818. I?m guessing they?re all area codes. He?ll do anything he can just to shut Chris Jericho up once and for all.
Chris Jericho’s pyro hits and he comes out looking dapper in a suit. Jericho gets in the ring and questions why Mysterio thinks a No Holds Barred Match is ?off the hook.? Jericho asks if it?ll be off the hook when he takes a steel chair and bashes it over his head, giving him permanent brain damage. Jericho then asks if it?ll be off the hook when he beats Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship and embeds it in the side of his face, disfiguring him forever. Jericho says he has no idea what he’s getting himself into and calls him ?little man.? Jericho says his false act of bravado will reverberate and recompense from now until forever. The repercussions will follow him.
Jericho goes on and Mysterio explodes, saying ?Shut up!? Mysterio says Jericho’s words mean nothing. Mysterio reminds him that the last time Jericho gave his word saying he wouldn?t hit the 619, he hit it. He also gave his word about beating him for the title and didn?t. He even reminds Jericho that he said he?d beat up Mickey Rourke and he knocked Jericho out. The camera now shows Mickey Rourke sitting at ringside! Mysterio tells Jericho to face it ? his words are worthless.
Jericho asks if he wants to shamelessly pander to Mickey Rourke he?ll do the opposite. Jericho now looks directly at Mickey Rourke and says he’s lucky he’s too much of a professional to not walk out of the ring and punch him in the face right now. Rourke just smiles. Jericho says he should do it because it?d be so easy but he’s a professional and Rourke is worthless. Jericho now turns to Mysterio and says the fantasy world he and his gelatinous, hypocritical, parasite fans live in is worthless. This is a world where the word ?good? is personified by a man who conceals himself behind a mask. Jericho asks why he wears a mask, mentioning an honest man doesn?t wear a mask. He says people with integrity and honor don?t hide their faces from the world ? only criminals and cowards, people with secrets, hide their faces. Jericho asks what he’s hiding and says he?ll find out because he promises he?ll tear that mask off his face, exposing him for who and what he is. Jericho gives his word ? that mask will be Mysterio’s downfall.
Jericho now attempts a sucker punch but Mysterio ducks it and hits him with some punches. Jericho pushes him away and charges and Mysterio gets him in 619 position. Mysterio goes for it but Jericho quickly gets out of the ring and goes up the ramp.
Coming up next we?ll see R-Truth and The Great Khali vs. Mike Knox and Dolph Ziggler.
-Commercial Break-
R-Truth’s music hits and he comes out through the regular entrance, rapping with Great Khali by his side. Khali even yells ?What’s up!? That’s pretty funny. Then when they get in the ring Khali even does a little dance. Very strange? but I like it!
R-Truth & The Great Khali vs. Mike Knox & Dolph Ziggler
As Ziggler comes out they recap his mini-feud with Great Khali. They show him beating Khali down with a steel chair but don?t show him running away for the past few weeks.
It’s R-Truth starting out against Ziggler. They lock up and R-Truth wrenches the arm before getting a headlock on. Ziggler whips him off and R-Truth shoulder blocks him down. R-Truth goes over him with a big split and gets up in Ziggler’s face. R-Truth has a whip reversed on him and Ziggler goes for a hip toss but R-Truth counters into a beautiful roll up for a two count. Ziggler runs into a hip toss and then an arm drag and R-Truth holds the arm bar. R-Truth tags in Khali and Ziggler quickly retreats and tags in Mike Knox.
Knox gets in the ring and pushes Khali but Khali hardly moves. Khali chops his chest, sends him into the ropes, and floor him with a big boot. Khali bounces Knox’s head off his top turnbuckle and tags in R-Truth, who comes off the top rope with an axe handle to the shoulder. R-Truth wrenches the arm and goes for a whip but Knox doesn?t budge and whips him instead. Knox lowers his head and eats a kick. R-Truth goes into the ropes and Knox takes his head off with a clothesline. Knox hits a huge knee drop and covers for a two count. Knox makes the tag to Ziggler who comes in with a bunch of elbow drops before dropping a big one for a two count. Ziggler gets a chin lock on and wrenches it big time. R-Truth gets up and elbows out. R-Truth hits some punches and whips him into the ropes. Ziggler ducks a clothesline and they both collide mid-air with a cross-body. Ziggler makes the tag to Knox and R-Truth gets Khali.
Khali is coming in, not selling Knox who is hitting him continuously, and simply pushes him away. Khali hits a pair of clotheslines and bounces Knox’s head off the top turnbuckle. Khali then clotheslines him down and taunts the crowd. Ziggler attempted to blindside Khali by jumping off the top rope onto him but Khali caught him by the throat. Knox breaks it up before Khali does anything and Ziggler quickly scrambles out of the ring. Knox attempts a whip but Khali doesn?t budge and whips Knox. Knox ducks a clothesline and then runs right into a spinning side kick from Khali! Ziggler is backing up the ramp, leaving Knox high and dry. Khali looks at Ziggler before hitting the Punjabi Plunge on Knox and pinning him for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: R-Truth & The Great Khali
Match Rating: * ?
Khali and R-Truth celebrate by dancing in the middle of the ring. I?m really digging Khali’s face turn. It’s been pretty humorous.
Backstage the WWE Women’s Champion Melina is walking towards the ring. She?ll face Alicia Fox next.
-Commercial Break-
The Smack of the Night is Alicia Fox interrupting Melina’s interview and getting the taste slapped out of her mouth. Never interrupt the Women’s Champion.
Melina vs. Alicia Fox
Alicia Fox is accompanied to the ring by Michelle McCool. Grisham pretends that you can still see the red mark on her face but it’s just rouge. This?ll be a non-title match.
Jack Doane calls for the bell and they lock up. Melina gets a key lock on and Fox gets out of it with a heel trip. Melina gets right up in her face and Fox slaps her this time before clotheslining her. Fox goes for the turnbuckle head bump but Melina blocks it and kicks Fox in the face. Melina slaps her twice, angering Fox who tries to clothesline her but Melina bends out of it with Trish Stratus? old ?Matrix move.? Melina then kicks her in the face and Fox bails from the ring. Melina follows her outside and throws her back in. Michelle McCool goes face to face with Melina, distracting Melina enough to allow Fox to hit a baseball slide on her.
Fox throws Melina in the ring and pins for a near fall. Fox whips Melina hard into the corner and Fox hits a backbreaker for a one count. Melina is against the ropes and uses them to balance herself as she wraps her legs around Fox’s head and kicks her. Melina hits a few punches before clotheslining her down. Melina hits a dropkick but has a whip reversed on her. Melina counters with a head-scissors into a side kick to the midsection and covers for a two count. Melina now goes to the second rope but is distracted by Michelle McCool on the apron and Alicia Fox rips her off the turnbuckle. Fox tries to clothesline her when she gets up but Melina ducks it and hits her split-legged bulldog for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Melina
Match Rating: *
Michelle McCool gets into the ring with the Women’s Title and puts it on Melina’s shoulder before walking out of the ring. Grisham says they?ll face each other in the near future ? when he doesn?t know? but they?ll face each other damn it!
Josh Matthews is backstage and he’s interviewing the ?Shaman of Sexy,? John Morrison. Matthews asks for his thoughts on his match tonight against Umaga. Morrison says Umaga is a moron and compares him to a sturdy tree in the ground while Morrison is the tree that flows all around? it was weird. Morrison says it means he?ll outthink Umaga, wait for him to make a mistake, and do his best to capitalize. Shelton Benjamin now interrupts him and says if he’s lucky enough to survive Umaga tonight that he needs to remember they still have unfinished business in the real world. Morrison says in the real world he’s beaten Benjamin twice, as well as the other half of the ?World’s Most Forgotten Tag Team? twice. Morrison says in the real world Benjamin hasn?t done anything since 2004 and he’s not going to start now! Benjamin wonders if maybe he’s been on his ?yellow submarine? because he’s a former United States Champion. Morrison says he doesn?t have time to discuss ?golden hair dye no. 5? with him, a former champion, and walks away. That was great!
Jeff Hardy is seen walking backstage. We?ll hear from him about his ladder match, next!
-Commercial Break-
We get an aerial shot of the Staples Center before seeing a great video package of the Jeff Hardy vs. Edge feud, which will culminate at Extreme Rules in a Ladder Match!
Jeff Hardy now makes his way to the ring to a great ovation. Hardy says some people think he’s crazy for choosing such a dangerous and career threatening match but honestly ladder matches are his comfort zone. Years ago he and Edge were part of the first ever tag team ladder match and after that match their careers have changed. Now, ten years later, their feud will end in a ladder match. Hardy will prove his championship win last year was not a fluke and meant to be as he?ll walk into Extreme Rules, climb the ladder, and become World Heavyweight Champion. That’s it ? good, short promo.
Umaga’s music now hits and he makes his way down the ring, holding a big strap, which he?ll use when he faces CM Punk in a Samoan Strap Match at Extreme Rules. Hardy backs away as Umaga walks right past him. That’s an interesting thing right there. He?ll face John Morrison next.
-Commercial Break-
Umaga vs. John Morrison
The referee orders Umaga to put the strap down before starting the match. They lock up and Umaga quickly powers him down. Umaga runs forward into a kick to the midsection and some quick strikes from Morrison. Morrison attempts a whip but Umaga doesn?t budge and pulls him into a back elbow. Umaga whips him into the corner and charges but Morrison escapes through the ropes. Morrison slides under the ropes and hits some forearms to the face and attempts a 10-punch but Umaga pushes him off and hits a huge shoulder block. Umaga charges Morrison but Morrison pulls down the top rope and Umaga flies outside. Morrison then springboards off the top rope to the outside on top of Umaga!
Umaga gets in the ring and Morrison hits some punches and clubs. Morrison goes into the ropes and attempts a sunset flip pin but Umaga doesn?t move and attempts a standing Banzai Drop but Morrison moves. Morrison goes into the ropes and kicks him in the face, covering for a one count. Umaga pushes him into the corner and charges into Morrison’s boot. Morrison charges and Umaga KILLS him with a Samoan Drop! Morrison rolls out of the ring in pain as we go to break.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see John Morrison locked in a Tazmission. Morrison fights up and attempts to knee out but Umaga powers him back down. Morrison fights up again and knees out. Morrison attempts a suplex but can?t get him up. Umaga then front suplexes Morrison gut first on the top rope, hanging him up there for Umaga side kick to the outside!
Umaga pulls Morrison to the apron and Morrison snap shots his neck off the top rope. Morrison gets in the ring and gets turned inside out with a clothesline. Umaga picks him up, hits a snapmare, and locks on a nerve hold. It’s weird to hear Umaga talking trash in English. Umaga holds it on for a LONG time until Morrison fights up and knees out. Morrison then hits a nice kick to the face before going into the ropes and getting killed by Umaga’s spinning side slam. Umaga covers for a near fall. Umaga kicks Morrison in the back before head-butting him down and locking on that nerve hold again. Morrison eventually fights up and knees out. Umaga counters with a knee and whips him into the ropes, attempting a powerslam but Morrison twists into a huge DDT! Morrison covers for a near fall.
Morrison ducks a clothesline and hits some punches. Umaga pushes him into the ropes and Morrison hits a clothesline but Umaga doesn?t budge. A forearm smash and a dropsault yield the same results so Morrison dropkicks him in the knee. Morrison goes back into the ropes and Umaga hits him with a throat thrust. Umaga picks him up and whips him into the corner. Umaga dives but Morrison moves and Umaga’s head collides with the ring post. Morrison springboards off the second rope with a roundhouse kick and Umaga rolls to the outside. Morrison follows him outside and Umaga grabs that strap he brought with him to the ring and gets himself disqualified!
Winner by Disqualification: John Morrison
Match Rating: * ?
Umaga whips Morrison on the outside a bunch of times before tossing him into the barricade. Umaga throws him back into the ring and whips him viciously some more. Umaga picks him up by the hair and puts him in an upside down Tree of Woe. Umaga begins to tie him up there with the strap and hits a head-butt to Morrison’s chest. Umaga beats him a few times until CM Punk runs down and smashes him twice with the briefcase, which stuns Umaga into the corner. CM Punk hits a running knee to the face and follows up with a bulldog onto the briefcase! Umaga backs up the ramp, still talking trash in English!
Todd Grisham walks into the ring and asks CM Punk for his strategy. CM Punk says he’s not the kind of guy who strategizes. Punk says he’s never been in a Strap Match, let alone a Samoan Strap Match, so he wouldn?t know where to begin. The thing about him is he always finds a way. They said he wouldn?t be World Champion ? he did. They said he wouldn?t win Money in the Bank ? he did, twice. Now they say CM Punk can?t take the 350 pound Samoan Bulldozer around the ring and touch four corners in succession. Umaga’s bigger and stronger than him but one thing he isn?t is CM Punk, and that makes him just as dangerous. CM Punk raises his briefcase for the crowd. What happened to John Morrison?
-Commercial Break-
Todd Grisham thanks Sick Puppies for the use of their song ?You?re Going Down,? the official theme song of Extreme Rules.
Cryme Tyme vs. Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas
This match was set up last night on Superstars when Cryme Tyme distracted Benjamin and Haas, causing them to lose to Carlito and Primo. Check out my Superstars recap if you didn?t see it.
It?ll be Charlie Haas starting out against JTG. They lock up and Haas powers JTG into the corner, hitting him with strikes. Haas sends JTG into the ropes but lowers his head and gets kicked in the face. Haas hits a single leg takedown and punches JTG a few times. JTG twists out of an Irish whip and goes into the ropes for a leg drop bulldog, covering for a one count. JTG hits some shoulder blocks in his corner and tags in Shad. JTG whips Shad into Haas before leaving the ring. Shad whips Haas into the corner and goes for a running back bump but Haas gets his knees up. Haas hits a punch before tagging in Shelton Benjamin.
Benjamin and Shad trade some punches until Benjamin kicks him in the knee. Benjamin ducks a punch and goes for a German Suplex but can?t get Shad up, who backs him hard into the corner. Benjamin charges out into an impressive gorilla press. Benjamin lands on his feet but gets floored by a big shoulder block from Shad. Shad tags in JTG, who gets on his shoulders and slammed onto Benjamin, getting a one count. JTG hits a punch and pushes Benjamin into the corner. JTG goes for the 10-punch but Benjamin counters by getting him on his shoulders and Haas comes over, snapping his neck off the top rope.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Charlie Haas hit a rough slam on JTG and get a one count. Haas holds JTG and tags in Benjamin, who kicks him in the face for a two count. Benjamin viciously stomps JTG before dragging him to the corner and assaulting him some more. The referee makes him back up so he drags JTG out and drops some elbows for a one count. The crowd is totally dead and it’s a shame, because this match isn?t half bad. Benjamin locks a neck vice on before dropping an elbow on the shoulder. Benjamin tags in Haas, who comes in with a sledge to the chest. Haas drops some vicious knees on JTG’s neck before slapping him around. JTG responds with some punches but Haas gets him down and drops some more knees. Haas snaps JTG’s neck off the apron a few times before being admonished by the referee. Haas makes the tag to Benjamin.
Benjamin gets JTG in the corner and hits a punch. JTG responds with some before being pushed back into the corner. Benjamin charges but JTG moves. JTG goes for a clothesline but Benjamin ducks and hits a German Suplex with a bridge for a two count. Benjamin tags Haas back in, who drops some more knees on JTG’s neck. Haas goes into the ropes for a big knee drop but JTG moves. JTG comes back with a beautiful reverse bulldog take down and finally gets the tag to Shad Gaspard!
Shad comes in and clotheslines Benjamin down, who was tagged back in. Shad hits another and whips Benjamin into the ropes for a back elbow. Haas runs in and Shad ducks a clothesline, kicks him in the shin, and hits a knee lift, sending him out of the ring. Benjamin hits a right hand and attempts a whip but Shad reverses it into the corner. Shad charges and Benjamin attempts to slingshot over him but gets caught on Shad’s shoulder for a powerslam. Shad gets the crowd into it for a Money, Money Elbow Drop for a one count, which is broken up by Charlie Haas. JTG runs in and jumps off Shad’s back, clotheslining Haas out of the ring. Shad goes for a Complete Shot but Benjamin elbows out. Benjamin goes into the ropes but Shad throws him in the air. Benjamin lands on his feet, hits Pay Dirt out of nowhere, and gets the pin!
Winners by Pinfall: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas
Match Rating: ** ?
We now get a recap of the Eve and Layla feud, if you can really call it that. We?ve seen a dance off, an arm wrestling match, and a backstage brawl. Now we?ll see them in action, up next.
-Commercial Break-
Did you know WWE broadcasts in 28 languages in more than 145 nations worldwide? Why can?t they just give the actual number of nations?
Todd Grisham mentions that this next match has an NBA flavor to it. They don?t wear jerseys but they do mention that Eve Torres was a cheerleader for the LA Clippers and Layla was a cheerleader for the Orlando Magic.
Eve Torres vs. Layla
The referee calls for the bell and they go at it and punch and roll around the ring. They roll out of the ring and the glorified cat fight continues. Layla drives her into the ring apron twice before kicking her and throwing her back in the ring. Layla hits a knee drop to the back and covers for a two count. Layla head bumps her in the corner. Eve tries to come back with some strikes but Layla snapmares her and locks on a surfboard stretch. Eve fights up but Layla kicks her and hits a snapmare. Layla hits a low dropkick to the back for a near fall. Layla hits a punch and whips her into the corner, hitting a back bump. Layla charges again but eats Eve’s boot. Eve charges out and they both grab the hair for a double face smash.
They both get up and trade some punches with Eve coming out on top. Eve clotheslines her down a few times before hitting a dropkick. Eve hits a forearm smash before having a whip reversed on her. Eve hits a sunset flip for a near fall. Layla hits a knee to the midsection and a few strikes. Layla goes into the ropes for a cross-body but Eve rolls through and gets the pin.
Winner by Pinfall: Eve Torres
Match Rating: *
An angry Layla charges Eve after the match but Eve throws her out of the ring.
Backstage Edge is walking and runs into Chris Jericho. They?re very curt with each other before Edge tells Jericho to follow his lead out there. Jericho says that worked out so well for him last week but Edge says he’s the World Heavyweight Champion so he has to listen to him. Jericho says he doesn?t listen to anything anyone has to say and suggests he has the match by himself because he’s done. Jericho walks off as Edge doesn?t look happy.
-Commercial Break-
We get an aerial shot of Los Angeles before being brought back into the arena where World Heavyweight Champion Edge makes his way to the ring alone.
Edge gets in the ring and grabs a microphone. Edge says if he can pick two words that describe and define Jeff Hardy it’s wasted opportunities. Last week Jeff Hardy had the break of a lifetime to pick any match at Extreme Rules so he picks a match that Edge owns. He picked a match that he has more success with than anyone in the WWE ? a Ladder Match. Edge says he heard Jeff talking before and they have been in more Ladder Matches than anyone else. The difference between them is Jeff always impresses and shines, making the highlight reel, but he always wins. That’s actually true. Edge says we may not like it because we know it’s true. The difference between this Ladder Match and the past are they were Tag Team and Money in the Bank Ladder Matches but this is their first ever one on one Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship. The other difference between he and Jeff is Jeff is a loser and he’s a winner. Jeff is a man who wastes his opportunities and he’s an Ultimate Opportunist. Jeff’s a perennial challenger and he?ll walk out of Extreme Rules STILL the World Heavyweight Champion.
Chris Jericho’s music hits but he doesn?t come out. I guess he really isn?t coming out. Rey Mysterio’s music now hits and he makes his way out to the ring. On the way he bumps heads with some of his child fans but the last one grabs Mysterio and smashes his head on the steel barricade! The fan comes over and assaults Mysterio some more, unmasking to reveal he’s Chris Jericho! Jericho sends him into the barricade and body slams him on the concrete floor! Jericho punches some more before attempting to remove Mysterio’s mask! Jeff Hardy runs down and makes the save, fighting Jericho off! Officials come to check on Mysterio as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We come back and see some replays of Jericho’s beat down on Rey Mysterio. That was really brilliant ? I loved it. Justin Roberts announces that Jeff Hardy has agreed to go on with the bout as a two on one handicap match!
Handicap Match
Edge & Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy
Chris Jericho will start out against Jeff Hardy. Jericho’s wearing long pants, thank god. Hardy pushes Jericho and they get into a shoving match. Hardy beats Jericho down in the corner and hits some kicks. Hardy has a whip reversed on him but he holds on to the ropes as Jericho misses a dropkick. Hardy hits a double leg drop to the midsection for a one count. Hardy has a whip into the corner reversed on him but Hardy slingshots over him and hits a sit-out front suplex. Hardy goes up top for a Swanton Bomb but hits Edge with a double axe handle when he tries to interfere. Hardy grounds Jericho with a back elbow and dropkicks Edge off the apron. Jericho charges and Hardy hangs him up on the top rope. Hardy then hits a Plancha on Edge!
Hardy goes to get back in the ring and Jericho springboards off the second rope with a dropkick, sending Hardy back down. Edge gets some cheap shots in before going back to the apron. Jericho bounces Hardy’s head off the steel steps and throws him back in the ring. Jericho drops a knee for a two count. Jericho hits a back suplex for another two count. Hardy is bleeding from the eye at the moment.
Jericho makes a tag to Edge and Jericho holds Hardy wide open for Edge to kick him in the ribs. Edge taunts the crowd before going back to Hardy. Edge gets Hardy up and head-butts him back down. Edge drops some knees on the ribs before assaulting Hardy by choking him on the middle rope. Edge hits a cross-body on Hardy, who is still hung up on the ropes, for a two count. Edge locks on a sleeper hold but Hardy fights up and elbows out but Edge pulls him down by the hair and makes the tag to Jericho. Jericho slingshots over the top rope with a splash for a two count. Jericho slaps him around before Hardy retaliates with some punches. Hardy sends Jericho into the ropes but Jericho holds on and Hardy misses the dropkick. Jericho goes for a Lionsault but Hardy gets the knees up and both men are down!
Edge is tagged in and Hardy takes him down with a wrap around clothesline. Edge blocks a kick so Hardy hits his flipping donkey kick. Hardy ducks a clothesline and hits a flying clothesline. Hardy hits another and then an inverted atomic drop before shoving Edge into the corner, sitting him down. Hardy hits his slingshot dropkick for a two count. Hardy goes for a Twist of Fate but Edge pushes him towards Jericho. Hardy puts the brakes on and sends Edge into Jericho when he charges. Hardy rolls up Edge for a near fall!
Jericho comes in and blindsides Hardy. Jericho smashes Hardy’s head off the top turnbuckle and they double whip Hardy into the corner, who hits Whisper in the Wind on both of them! Hardy hits a Twist of Fate on Jericho but turns into a Spear from Edge for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Edge & Chris Jericho
Match Rating: **
Edge now goes under the ring and grabs a ladder. Edge comes in and floors Hardy with a ladder shot! Edge sets Jeff Hardy up in the ladder and sandwiches him between it, smashing it on Hardy’s face! Edge puts his foot on the ladder and raises his championship as we end Smackdown.
Quick Match Results
R-Truth & The Great Khali* def. Mike Knox* & Dolph Ziggler
Melina def. Alicia Fox (non-title)
John Morrison def. Umaga via DQ
Shelton Benjamin* & Charlie Haas def. JTG & Shad Gaspard*
Eve Torres def. Layla
Edge* & Chris Jericho def. Jeff Hardy
Bump of the Night: Jericho body slamming Mysterio on the concrete!
Match of the Night: Benjamin & Haas vs. Cryme Tyme ** ?
Mike’s Thoughts
We had a very good episode of Smackdown tonight. It was all great build for the PPV and the best part was there was no real mention of the Denver Debacle. Not even a video package highlighting it. That made me happy.
The feuds on Smackdown have been so tremendous since the draft. We?ve got the guaranteed to always be good feud with Edge and Jeff Hardy and the amazing and smart feud between Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio. I really love that Edge had the upper hand at the end of the show tonight ? it’s been a while since he’s had it. I also love that they?ve really been playing the history card here, going so far back to No Mercy 1999. On a side note I was playing WWF No Mercy on N64 this week. Best wrestling game ever. The quick ladder beat down on Hardy at the end of the show was great too.
Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio opened up the show with a great in ring segment and they even got Mickey Rourke involved in it! Mickey Rourke is an interesting looking dude but I?m happy he’s a true fan of WWE. I love that Jericho’s going after the mask. They haven?t messed with the mask since Mysterio came to WWE except for that one time Eddie Guerrero ripped it open to bloody Mysterio up. This feud is powerful. I particularly love that Jericho calls Mysterio a coward for hiding behind a mask but Jericho blindsides Mysterio by wearing a mask. I love Jericho’s character ? it’s so scummy but awesome! I just can?t say enough about him and he’s definitely in the running for Smackdown’s MVP of the Year so far. I can?t wait to see their match at Extreme Rules.
I really enjoyed the backstage segment between John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin before Morrison went out and had a pretty good match against Umaga. It was intense, as was the match with Umaga. There were lots of nasty bumps on Morrison’s end from Umaga’s sick power moves. The after match save from CM Punk was good with Punk cutting a good promo afterwards. There’s still no real reason why Umaga’s been attacking Punk but I guess that’s the mystery. I like it anyway.
Unfortunately I have to say it again. I caused a bit of a stir when I said last week that the women should just stop wrestling ? lots of e-mails on that one ? but after two not so great matches I stand by what I said. They have three women on the Smackdown roster who can kind of go and the rest are all really green. If they put a male wrestler out there with the little training they?ve had and the lack of flow and style they have then that guy would be immediately pulled and sent back down to developmental but with the women they just keep them around and let them embarrass themselves week after week. Valuable TV time is no time for on the job training. That’s what house shows are for. Oh well, what can you do?
Just a side note ? Marianna picked me up WrestleMania 25 this week and I was watching the Hall of Fame Ceremony, particularly that of Terry and Dory Funk. If you get it you have to check it out. Terry Funk is a weird old dude but I love him. I wonder if Dennis Stamp was in attendance.
At the end of these thoughts I feel like there’s something I haven?t addressed yet but I can?t think of it. Oh well ? if I think of it I?ll just say it next week.
Final Rating: ** ?
As always if you agree or disagree with what I?ve said you can debate me. Here’s how:
E-Mail ? MikeyT817@hotmail.com
If you didn?t see Superstars yesterday then check out my recap for that.
Thanks for reading!