» On Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 10:29 PM EST WWE Smackdown
February 17, 2005
Location: Cleveland, OH
Announcers: Michael Cole and Tazz
With just 72 hours to go before Smackdown makes its way to Pittsburgh for No Way Out, the final show before the PPV resulted in the following tonight:
Before the show opened tonight, a replay from RAW of Batista being struck this past Monday was replayed.
Match #1:Rey Mysterio vs. Doug Basham
Rey commented on how happy the Bashams looked as champions and how they used to be his titles with RVD before the Bashams to take them away. Rey then made an announcement that both Rey and a mystery partner would be facing the Bashams at No Way Out for the Tag Team Championship, with Rey then announcing his partner as Eddie Guerrero.
Rey started out strong at the beginning of this match before the ref was distracted briefly by Eddie and Danny on the outside, giving Doug the upper hand for the moment. Rey once again proved that one should not underestimate one’s size with a strong comeback with a springboard moonsault. Eddie got in some lying cheating and stealing, setting Doug up for the 619 and the win.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Backstage, JBL was complaining as usual, this time to Teddy Long about Batista coming to Smackdown and that Long wasn’t doing a thing about it. Long said that JBL should not have run over Batista with his limo; JBL denied doing such and asked Long if he would be stupid to do such a thing? Long responded to JBL that he didn’t trust him and JBL accused Long of setting him up. Long also said all he cared about was signing Batista and come Monday night, he was signing Batista to Smackdown. JBL promised that if he got hurt, he was going to sue Long.
Highlights from the No Way Out press conference this past Tuesday in Pittsburgh was shown.
Match #2: Funaki, Paul London and Shannon Moore vs. Spike Dudley, Akio and Chavo Guerrero
Torrie Wilson was the special guest ring announcer.
Akio and Shannon locked up before Akio slapped Shannon around a few times. Akio worked over Shannon a few times before Shannon got in a few good kicks and tagged in London, who with Moore, double teamed Akio. London then got in a hip toss and a hip lock before Chavo came in to work over London and had just put London to the mat when the match was interrupted.
Once again, much to the annoyance of many a cruiserweight fan, this match was stopped for several minutes while some newer divas came out and pointlessly paraded around with their names and promoting No Way Out on Sunday. Yes, WE ALREADY KNOW! Get back to the MATCH ALREADY!
Well….once it did, all six cruiserweights got in some impressive moves of their own before the team of London, Funaki and Moore pulled off the win when Funaki pinned Spike. I would have liked it to have gone on longer.
Winners: Funaki, Paul London and Shannon Moore
A promo for the steel cage match was shown in the Pittsburgh area.
A new Wrestlemania 21 commercial was shown, this time with Eddie and Booker in a takeoff of ‘Pulp Fiction.’
Match #3: Kurt Angle vs. Danny Gimando
Before the match, Angle said he wished luck to both Booker and Cena in their match tonight and he was going to beat whoever he had to face at No Way Out and he was confident because he was the most decorated athlete in the company, and deserved to be in the main event at Wrestlemania.
Angle took down Gimando quickly, getting him into a face lock, followed by an Angle Slam and the ankle lock, which Gimando tapped out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Angle was making his way back up the ramp backstage when Cena came out. He and Angle stared each other down briefly as they passed.
Match #4: John Cena vs. Booker T--#1 Contender Semi-Final Match
Both contenders appeared very focused throughout this match, each responding move for move. It looked at some point like Booker had the upper hand at first, but Cena came back strong, getting Booker into a brutal arm lock before Booker was able to break loose and get in some chops. Cena got in a front face lock and a half nelson onto Booker.
A scissors kick by Booker was countered by an FU attempt by Cena, which Booker also countered as the match went to a commercial break.
Upon return from the break, Booker had kicked out of a cover by Cena. Cena had Booker into another face lock, which Booker managed to escape from and booted the face of Cena. At that point, Booker appeared to be back in control once again.
Booker put another boot to Cena, sending him to the mat, followed by another spin kick. Both traded right hands before Cena countered Booker, sending both to the mat. Once up, Cena went for Booker, but went through the ropes outside of the ring.
Booker took advantage of the opportunity; assaulting Cena and sending him into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Cena was also on the receiving end of a back suplex and a knee to the kidney. Cena managed to recover and get some chops onto Booker before Booker got in a power slam on Cena for the cover and Cena kicking out.
Cena took out Booker with a flying shoulder block, sending both back to the mat. After two of Booker’s right hands blocked by Cena, Cena regained some momentum before Booker got back into control with a spine buster.
Booker’s scissors kick was countered by Cena for an FU, but Booker grabbed the top ropes. Booker went to for the bookends but Cena countered with a high elbow.
Finally, at the end of the match, Cena connected with the FU and the pin on Booker to win the match.
Winner: John Cena, who faces Kurt Angle this Sunday at No Way Out
In his locker room backstage, JBL was speaking to his cabinet in his locker room about a plan he had if Batista showed up.
Also backstage, a very focused Big Show did an interview with Josh promoting the Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match at No Way Out, describing it in detail. Josh wondered if Show was concerned of what role Batista would play if he showed up at No Way Out. Show said that he was tired of hearing about Batista; the cage would be locked and there would be no way in….and no way out.
Backstage, after Booker lost his match, Heindereich was laughing at him until Booker got onto him about “seeing dead people” and said Heidenreich needed help.
2005 Hall of Fame Inductee announced in addition to first five already named:
Hot Rod “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Match #5: Luther Reigns vs. Nunzio
Nunzio didn’t really get in any offense here outside of a kick or two here and there; he was basically tossed around and bullied by Luther. Nunzio went face first with a neck breaker by Luther.
Winner: Luther Reigns
Luther then cut a promo aimed at Undertaker. Luther ended it by saying that this was his yard now and if Taker wanted it back, he had to come take it back. Taker’s gong sounded as the show went to a commercial break.
Back from the break, Taker then came out and brawled with Reigns and Mark Jindrak, which led into the next match.
Match #6: The Undertaker vs. Mark Jindrak
Taker took no time to work over Jindrak and taking control of the match after taking out Luther. After clothes lining Jindrak, he went outside and did the same to Luther. Back in the ring, he put snake eyes to Jindrak and took control of the match once again.
Jindrak got in a good left hand and a standing drop kick on Taker for the cover before Taker kicked out. Taker got back with a few left hands before being taken down by Jindrak for the cover; Taker kicked out. A choke slam attempt by Taker was countered by Jindrak.
A second choke slam by Taker connected to Jindrak before Taker finished him off with the Tombstone meanwhile, Reigns attacked a cameraman and then hit Taker from behind with the camera. Jindrak and Reigns went up the ramp, but then the gong was heard and Taker got right back up!
Winner: Undertaker
Backstage, Carlito said he came to help clean out Teddy’s office; but Teddy said the decision would be made on next week’s Smackdown; but for now, he was still GM and plans to sign Batista this Monday on RAQW. Carlito then said that next week, Long better watch his back.
No Way Out Matches Announced:
Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match: JBL vs. Big Show
Six-Man Match for Cruiserweight Title: Cruiserweight Champion Funaki, Shannon Moore, Spike Dudley, Chavo Guerrero, Akio and Paul London
Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio vs. Bashams for Tag Team Titles
Rookie Diva Competition
Luther Reigns vs. Undertaker
Finals for #1 Contendership for WWE Title: John Cena vs. Kurt Angle
Backstage, Josh was interviewing Cena when Angle interrupted him and Angle reminded them of their very first match and how things have change and how Angle will beat him at No Way Out and will go back to main eventing at Wrestlemania. Cena complained that Angle always looks down on him and that Angle has a wake up call coming and at No Way Out, Angle isn’t looking at some punk that doesn’t belong, but a hungry SOB that is going to Wrestlemania.
JBL tells his cabinet that Batista had arrived and they all make their way out of JBL’s locker room.
JBL, with cabinet in tow, then came to the ring. JBL then stated that he did not run over Batista on RAW; if he wanted to take Batista down, he would do it man to man, eyeball to eyeball. JBL then said that though Batista may not believe it, JBL has become a wrestling god. He then called out Batista and said to Show to put down the pizza and watch the greatness.
Batista was then shown in the parking area and, pulling a baseball bat out of his convertible, destroyed the windows of JBL’s limo as the crowd cheered. Batista then broke the horns of the limo off with his bare hands!
JBL then sent his cabinet to the back as Batista took off in his convertible. Meanwhile, while JBL was alone, Big Show came to the ring and brawled with JBL. The cabinet then came back and attacked Show before Batista ran in for the save and he and Show stared down at JBL as the show left the air.
POST-SHOW NOTES:
It has been confirmed that there will be a six-man Cruiserweight match added to No Way Out this Sunday.
In my opinion, Torrie is better off just keeping her mouth closed and just go back to posing; her announcing skills are terrible. It was like she was reading from the cue cards.
The ‘Pulp Fiction’ takeoff was HILARIOUS! What will these people think of next?
Who saw the little WWE Hot Wheels cars Tazz was showing?
In case no one noticed, Amy Weber’s leaving was ‘explained’ on the show tonight: JBL had ‘fired’ her as his image consultant.
Next week, Smackdown comes from Philadelphia, PA, so until then, enjoy wrestling.