Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 3:03 PM EST

WWE Smackdown
June 13, 2008
Fresno, 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.

Michael Cole and Mick Foley welcome us to Smackdown emanating from Fresno State University. The arena is darkened and Justin Roberts asks us to please welcome General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Yikes, this lady has more heat than Edge. She welcomes us to the official contract signing for the Night of Champions Pay Per View and introduces Batista.

Batista makes his way to the ring and grabs a microphone. Vickie tells Batista to have a seat but he just pushes it away. He’s a tough guy. Vickie says she expects the greatest World Heavyweight Title match in history at Night of Champions (wasn’t that the main event of that show last year?!). She says he’ll be facing the greatest World Champion ever – Edge!

Turns out Edge has already signed the contract so he won’t be making an appearance at this little contract signing. Vickie then signs the contract. Batista makes ready to sign the document but Vickie says that even though his attorney went over the contract earlier in the day she added a new amendment before the show started saying that before he can truly be the #1 Contender he must face The Great Khali! How exciting… Batista says that the only thing uglier than the beating he’ll give Edge at NOC is the woman he’s marrying. He then signs the contract and leaves the ring.

Vickie calls after him and says that he didn’t finish reading that amendment before he signed because the amendment also states that he must beat Khali or be banished from WWE. Batista fakes shock as we go to commercial.

:::Commercial Break:::

Did you know that WWE is watched by more than 15 million people every week? Who cares? Things like that say “we’re desperate for credibility”.

Finlay makes his way to the ring with Hornswoggle for a match. They show a replay from last week with Hornswoggle laughing incessantly for some reason at Miz and Morrison before Finlay comes up to them and says they want their WWE Tag Team Championships at Night of Champions. Hah Morrison calls Hornswoggle “Hobbit Boy”. These two are actually really funny and surprisingly a great pairing. Love that Dirt Sheet! John Morrison’s music then hits.

Finlay w/ Hornswoggle vs. John Morrison w/ The Miz

Bell rings and they circle the ring once before locking up. They push each other to the corners before releasing. Finlay then slaps Morrison before knocking him down and slamming him. He picks him up for an Irish Whip but Morrison takes a breather on the outside.

Finlay tries to drag Morrison back in by his hair but he slaps his hand away. Finlay then kicks him in the chest from the apron before Morrison chop blocks his knee, knocking Finlay down to the apron. Morrison then hits an impressive dropkick, jumping over the top rope and pretty much coming in for a baseball slide on Finlay, knocking him to the floor. Morrison rolls him back in but Finlay rolls out. Morrison goes for a dive to the outside but Finlay pulls the apron and Morrison lands crotch first on it. I love that move. Miz tries to hit Finlay but misses in one of the worst looking misses I’ve seen in a while and Finlay throws Hornswoggle into Miz’s midsection before he crawls under the ring.

Back inside the ring Finlay drops two elbows and tries to whip Morrison into the corner but its countered and it’s Finlay in the corner. Morrison makes a run for it but meets a boot from the guy who loves to fight. Finlay goes up to the second rope and Morrison hits a spinning roundhouse kick and Finlay falls to the outside.

Morrison elbows Finlay’s throat across the apron and then kicks Finlay in the chest. Morrison drags him to the center and goes for a cover which doesn’t work. He then locks him in the Million Dollar Dream aka Cobra Clutch. Finlay gets up to a knee and counters it with a jaw breaker. Morrison pretty much no sells it and hits a neck wrench into a neck breaker and locks in the clutch again. Finlay drives him into the corner to break the hold. Morrison clubs him back to the center and goes for a short arm clothesline but Finlay ducks and goes into the ropes and hits two stiff clotheslines into an inverted atomic drop and a dropkick for a two count. Finlay drives a shoulder to the midsection in the corner and hits a fireman’s carry slam for a two while on the outside Miz drags Hornswoggle out from under the ring. Finlay takes the bait and Morrison rolls up Finlay and it’s over.

Winner by Pinfall: John Morrison
Match Rating: **

Playing up that this could be Batista’s last night in WWE we get a Batista flashback and this one is from the Royal Rumble in 2005 with the infamous botched finish that led to Vince McMahon tearing both his quads and then Batista ultimately winning. They don’t show the Vince part. Batista is going to Wrestlemania 21.

:::Commercial Break:::

They advertise The Rock DVD but I’m not going to buy it. I just can’t buy these DVDs because of all the blurs. We know it used to be WWF. Please appeal to the courts to stop this from happening!

Eve Torres is interviewing Edge and asks him what he thinks about Batista’s match against Khali. Edge says that he hopes Batista pulls through because it’s not only a loss of a career but a loss to Smackdown and it won’t allow him to beat Batista AGAIN at Night of Champions. Edge says he wants to honor Batista’s career just like they did that guy The Undertaker. He wonders how Undertaker is feeling. I’m sure he can ask him in Australia. CM Punk is behind Edge and says he can cash in his Money in the Bank at anytime, even during Edge’s July 11th wedding.

Mark Henry is on his way to the ring and we get a pre scripted promo from earlier in the day. Mark Henry says Big Show thinks he doesn’t need luck but he begs to differ. Of course he does! He shows Big Show currently with one delicious looking black eye. He says this will be Big Show after dealing with Mark Henry and shows Big Show with two black eyes. I’d rather have then black eyes rather than watch a Big Show vs. Mark Henry stink fest.

Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer

Tommy Dreamer is the sacrificial lamb for tonight. Seriously, can’t they just feed him Stevie Richards or Nunzio? Why poor Tommy Dreamer. He still gets a reaction!

Dreamer locks him up but gets shoved into the corner – of course – and Henry laughs at him. Dreamer hits a couple of rights before bouncing off Henry after coming off the ropes. Henry kicks him in the spine and stands on his throat while pushing himself up on the ropes. Big head-butt and a big scoop slam. He sets Dreamer up in the corner and hits another head-butt and hits a hard Irish whip into the other corner. He’s picking Dreamer apart but while charging Dreamer in the corner Dreamer gets a boot up, hits a few rights, comes off the ropes for a clothesline but Henry doesn’t budge. Dreamer goes for his trademark DDT but can’t take Henry off his feet. Henry then hits the World Strongest Slam and the “heart and soul of ECW” is jobbed out.

Winner by Pinfall: Mark Henry
Match Rating: ½ star

Vickie Guerrero is backstage with Alicia Fox, a wedding planner, and Edge comes in tattling on CM Punk threatening about cashing in his contract during their wedding. MVP comes in and says he wants to renegotiate his contract saying he’s underutilized and he knows he’s the most talented superstar on their roster, which irks Edge a bit. Vickie says she’ll look into the renegotiation if MVP takes care of CM Punk. MVP says OK and to remember this when his agent calls.

:::Commercial Break:::

The WWE Rewind shows Natalya Neidhart winning the Golden Dreams match last week (every time I say that I think dirty jokes! I’m so evil!) and getting entered into the match at Night of Champions for the new Diva’s Championship.

Maryse vs. Cherry

I always liked Cherry. She made her debut in Nutley, NJ, which is like twenty minutes from my home. What a stupid reason to like someone.

The story of the match is they’re both trying to impress Vickie Guerrero to face Natalya at Night of Champions. Cherry hits a quick Thesz Press on Maryse and gets off. Maryse hits Cherry twice before Cherry takes her down angrily and rubs her face on the canvas. Maryse stalls for time with the referee and charges Cherry but gets a clothesline for her troubles. For some reason Cherry gets knocked down and Maryse then locks her in a neck wrench. Mick Foley calls this a “French Cravat”. They use the rest hold for a bit. Boring. Cherry fights out of it but Maryse charges her in to the corner and throws her into the other one but meets a boot. Maryse tries rolling up Cherry but gets a one count. Cherry stops a big boot, kicks her in the ovaries and hits a hammerlock DDT and covers her for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Cherry
Match Rating: *

Michael Cole and Mick Foley talk about how this could be Batista’s last night in WWE and then show a highlight video of his opponent. Some highlight video. It’s the same crappy three moves over and over again.

MVP is making his way to the ring.

:::Commercial Break:::

The WWE Draft is coming soon. Even announcers are up for grabs. Please keep Adamle and The Tazz together!

MVP vs. CM Punk

What kind of parent names a kid Montel Vontavious Porter?

The bell rings and they just kind of feel each other out. They lock up and Punk goes behind for a waist lock and then a take down. MVP gets up but Punk takes him down again. MVP goes for some elbows but it doesn’t work so he goes for the ropes but Punk rolls him up but MVP kicks out. Lock up into a headlock by Punk. MVP grabs the hair but CM Punk hits a headlock takeover. MVP takes him over for a pin but only gets two. MVP then counters it into a chinlock and then hits a headlock and a headlock takeover and MVP is trying to keep the pressure on hoping for a pinfall on Punk. Punk gets into a necklock grapevine (isn’t that a chokehold ref??) but MVP impressively counters that into a headlock with Punk on his gut. Lots of good wrestling so far. Punk gets on his feet, runs MVP into the ropes, goes down and then hits a big spinning kick to MVP’s face for a two count!

Back to the headlock. Punk lets go and stomps on MVP, hits a headlock takeover and keeps the headlock on. MVP elbows out and drives an elbow into Punk’s back. Nice back suplex for a two count. MVP elbows Punk in his injured ribs from ECW and locks in an armlock. Punk counters it and wrenches the arm a few times. MVP tries to flip out of it to no avail and Punk hits a hammerlock. MVP elbows him in the face and comes off the ropes for a big forearm. CM Punk tries to kick him from down on the canvas but MVP kicks him away and shoots the half nelson for a two count. He goes back to work on the arm for some reason when he was just working on the ribs moments before. He has a Fujiwar Arm Bar locked in but Punk gets to his feet while MVP wrenches the arm and then hits a big right hand for a two count. Back to work on the left arm he now has Punk in a wrist lock. Punk counters out and hits a side elbow and a cradle for a two. Half nelson but MVP kicks out. MVP charges Punk but he leapfrogs him and MVP eats the corner and Punk hits a hip toss for a two. Punk locks in that leg lace around the neck but MVP gets out and kicks MVP in the ribs and hits a neck breaker for a one. Punk sends MVP into the ropes but gets kicked in the face. MVP hits an elbow in the corner but misses another one. Punk goes for MVP in the corner but he jumps up and Punk drives his back shoulder into the turnbuckle. MVP sends him into the post again and then drops him down into it again. On the outside MVP whips Punk’s arm into the post as we go to commercial.

:::Commercial Break:::

We’re back from break and Punk just kicks out of a pinfall attempt. Punk struggles a bit before MVP locks in a Fujiwar Arm Bar. Punk stops it and pulls him over for a quick pinfall. Punk tries to kick but it’s stopped and he’s brought down by an arm bar takedown. Another arm bar and a few elbows to the injured area. It’s locked in for a bit before Punk starts kneeing MVP to the corner. He’s too injured to throw him into the other corner and MVP takes advantage and kicks his arm and tries for a pin but he kicks out. MVP tries to size him up for a move but runs into a clothesline with Punk’s good arm. Spinning back kick into a Million Dollar Kneelift for a two count. MVP runs into a roundhouse kick. Punk kicks him high up three times but MVP kicks out. Punk tries to go for the knee in the corner but is thrown off. He hits a hurricanrana for a near fall. Punk is on the top rope but MVP dropkicks the rope and Punk is singing soprano. MVP goes for a superplex but Punk head-butts him off. Punk goes for a second rope elbow drop but MVP gets the knees up. Ouch! MVP exposes the turnbuckle but Charles Robinson stops him and goes to put it back on. MVP picks up the Money in the Bank briefcase to do something dastardly but Punk hits his corner kneelift knocking the briefcase into MVP’s face. The referee turns around and sees Punk holding the briefcase and calls for the bell. Punk tries to explain himself but Robinson won’t hear it. Stupid ending.

Winner by Disqualification: MVP
Match Rating: ** ½

They show the ending to the TLC match two weeks ago at One Night Stand, blacking it out so we can’t see the fall of Undertaker. I hate when they do that. Just show it already! Could that happen to Batista tonight?!?!

:::Commercial Break:::

Chavo Guerrero is in the ring with Bam Neely. He tells everyone what his name is for those that couldn’t read the nameplate graphic. He says he’s the soon to be brother in law of Edge and introduces his opponent at Night of Champions: United States Champion Matt Hardy! Looks like Chavo is a matchmaker now.

Matt comes out looking like he had no clue about this but since he’s a fighting champion he’ll take it anyway. Chuck Palumbo comes out looking like a mix of Howard Stern, Weird Al Yankovich and Slash for a match with Matt Hardy.

Matt Hardy vs. Chuck Palumbo

Chavo Guerrero will sit ringside, scouting out his opponent.

Matt Hardy hits a quick side headlock on Palumbo but gets sent into the ropes. Matt comes off for a shoulder block but Palumbo just stands there smiling. Matt Hardy locks in a full nelson on the big man but Palumbo charges him into the corner and hits a big time right hand. He whips Hardy to the turnbuckle and runs into a side elbow from Palumbo. Hardy’s up to the second rope but gets a big boot and is knocked off the top rope to the outside. Palumbo is outside and hits another nasty right hand and throws Hardy into the ring. Nasty back suplex for a two and then a few kicks to the back and Palumbo locks in a chin lock. Hardy tries to pull the hard to no avail. He gets up and gets a knee to the gut. Palumbo then grabs Hardy’s leg and brings him in for a big clothesline. Palumbo locks in a variation of a side headlock but Hardy drives him three times into the turnbuckle to break it. Hardy gets knocked down again. Palumbo is up to the second rope and comes off for what looks to be a senton splash but Hardy rolls out of the way. Palumbo is a goof. Before you know it Hardy hits a Side Effect on Palumbo for a one count! Hardy hits an elbow to the neck off the second rope and a Twist of Fate and this is over.

Winner by Pinfall: Matt Hardy
Match Rating: * ¼

Chavo announces Hardy as the winner of the match and the loser at Night of Champions!

Another Batista flashback from Wrestlemania 21 with Batista becoming World Heavyweight Champion for the first time! That was a great Wrestlemania.

:::Commercial Break:::

Wow. Did you know that WWE broadcasts in 23 languages to more than 130 nations worldwide? I didn’t and now I feel complete.

The RAW Recap features the horrible McMahon Million Dollar Mania. I hope that if WWE reads this it doesn’t disqualify me next week from winning.

Mick Foley shows us how to register in case you couldn’t work the computer.

Eve Torres interviews Vladimir Kozlov who has the personality of an aborted fish egg. He speaks in his native tongue and says “Thank you”.

Batista flashback from Survivor Series 2006 which featured Batista defeating the Champion of Champions King of the Ring King Booker for his second World Heavyweight Championship.

:::Commercial Break:::

The WWE Draft is in two weeks.

Hey, it’s biscuits and gravy time.

Jesse & Festus vs. Deuce ‘N Domino

The bell rings and Festus goes insane. Jesse calms Festus down and it’s Jesse versus Deuce at the moment. Jesse dropkicks Deuce in the knee and then in the face and hits a senton splash for a two count. He whips Deuce in the corner and eats a boot from Deuce and Jesse hits a Thesz press and Domino comes into the ring to create confusion. Jesse turns around into a giant kick in the face from Deuce and gets his throat stepped on. Deuce suplexes him over the rope and tags in Domino hits a big elbow for quick count and then hits a leg drop. Domino pulls back on the chin. Jesse looks to have been busted open. Jesse tries to fight out but Domino hits double knees to the face. He tags in Deuce and holds Jesse up for target practice but Deuce runs into the boot and Domino gets an elbow for his troubles. Jesse goes to tag Festus but Deuce stops it and tags in Domino. Domino holds Jesse’s arms and Deuce jumps to the second rope and tries to turn into a splash but Jesse gets the legs up and then kicks Domino off him. Jesse makes the tag to the “corn fed colossus” who picks Domino up by his arm while he’s still on the apron and flapjacks him! Big clothesline and a big Irish whip to the corner and he hits a butt bump. He then hits another one on Domino and bicycle kicks Deuce out of the ring. He goes for the fireman’s carry to set up his finisher but Domino elbows out and tries for a roll up but doesn’t even get a count. Festus his a big uppercut and sends him to the canvas. Festus comes off the ropes and hits a splash with his legs for the pinfall on Domino.

Winners by Pinfall: Jesse & Festus
Match Rating: * ¾

Deuce ‘N Domino tease dissention and Domino takes down Deuce with a big right hand. They scuffle for a bit before Domino gets out of the ring. They’re blaming one another for the team’s lack of success. Blame the writers for your gimmick.

They show a flashback from September 2007 which features Khali hitting his vice grip on Batista. Funny, that was from August and was used as the buildup to Summerslam. I should know – I was there… unfortunately.

Khali vs. Batista is next! I just can’t wait.

:::Commercial Break:::

#1 Contender’s Match
If Batista Loses His Career is Over
Batista vs. The Great Khali

Cole says Undertaker had two weeks to prepare for his career to be over and Batista has two hours. Yeah, that two weeks really made a world of difference. He still lost. Sometimes Michael Cole drives me crazy.

They stand in the center of the ring. For someone who doesn’t speak English Khali sure talks a lot of trash. Before they can lock up Edge wheels Vickie out to the ramp to watch. Batista grabs Khali’s arm to wrench it but Khali shoves him into the corner and chops him. This will probably be as good as the match gets. Batista hits a right hand and goes for a shoulder block but just bounces back into the ropes and Khali hits the worst big boot ever. On the apron Khali grabs Batista’s head and head-butts him and Batista falls to the floor with a sickening thud. Nice bump.

Khali throws Batista in the ring and goes to cover him with his foot but Batista kicks out. Khali hits a scoop slam and a leg drop and Batista kicks out again. Khali hits some elbows in the corner and a few kicks but the referee breaks it up. Batista ducks a clothesline and hits some shoulders to the gut in the corner. Batista tries to drag Khali out of the corner to no avail. Batista to the top rope into a Khali Bomb but Batista kicks out! Khali can’t believe it and neither can Edge. Now Khali goes for the “devastating” nerve hold. Yeah, right. He then throws Batista into the ropes and clotheslines him down. Khali goes for a big chop but Batista blocks it but Khali throws him off. Batista off the ropes into a spear and he pins Khali.

Winner by Pinfall: Batista
Match Rating: **

Edge and Vickie do not look happy. Batista stares him down as we go off the air.

---

Quick Match Results:

John Morrison w/ The Miz defeated Finlay w/ Hornswoggle
Mark Henry defeated Tommy Dreamer
Cherry defeated Maryse
MVP defeated CM Punk by DQ
United States Champion Matt Hardy defeated Chuck Palumbo (non-title)
Jesse & Festus defeated Deuce ‘N Domino
Batista defeated The Great Khali in a Career #1 Contender Match

Bump of the Night: Batista falling to the floor after a Khali head-butt!

Match of the Night: MVP vs. CM Punk ** ½

Updated Night of Champions Card

WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Triple H (c)

World Heavyweight Championship
Batista vs. Edge (c)

ECW Championship
The Big Show vs. Kane (c)

United States Championship
Chavo Guerrero vs. Matt Hardy (c)

World Tag Team Championship
Ted DiBiase & ??? vs. Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes (c)

WWE Tag Team Championship
Finlay & Hornswoggle vs. Miz & Morrison (c)

Mike’s Thoughts

Pretty average Smackdown this week. The storylines seemed a little weak this week. I think it’s because they’re pretty much recycling the same main event matches over and over again. Batista vs. Edge has been done to death and was done at the very same event last year. How many times can they do this? I can’t wait for the draft because Smackdown desperately needs some new talent. With Undertaker gone the roster for Smackdown is pretty boring. It looks like we just have to suffer through these next few weeks until the draft and then we’re in the clear.

Vickie Guerrero has amazing heat. She’s more hated than Edge in my opinion!

Where are they going with Mark Henry? Are we going to see a three way at Night of Champions?! Gouge my eyes out if we are!

Chavo Guerrero vs. Matt Hardy should be a good match. Both can go the distance and know how to put on an entertaining match! Hopefully this run with the US Title will be fruitful for Matt Hardy and he can finally attain Main Event status.

Finlay is one of the most underrated talents on Smackdown. He is one hell of a brawler and one hell of a wrestler. They should move Finlay to RAW in the draft. Finlay verses a returning William Regal is one hell of a match.

The build for the Edge and Vickie Guerrero wedding is in full swing. Make sure you’re there on July 11th as Edge will participate in what I think will be his third wedding in WWE. Will this guy ever get married and stay married? Someone always messes it up. If I were him I’d just elope.

Final Smackdown Rating: ** ½

I’m very happy to be here writing for WrestleView.com. I’ve wanted to write for this website for so long (just ask Adam Martin). Wrestling is a true passion of mine as I’ve been a fan for all 21 years of my life. Ask my girlfriend – I drag her to Hooters for every Pay Per View! I hope you enjoyed reading this results column and I look forward to hearing some feedback and maybe some ideas!

Email: mikeyt817@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading!