WWE Smackdown
June 4, 2010
Dallas, TX
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 show opens with Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long in his office. Long says that he regrets to inform us that Undertaker was found in a vegetative state by Kane over the Memorial Day weekend. There is an ongoing investigation looking into who or what was responsible for this brutal, heinous attack.
The Smackdown video plays and we’re brought into the arena with some pyro. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcome us to the show. Tonight we’ll see Kofi Kingston defend the Intercontinental Championship against Drew McIntyre, who is invoking his rematch clause.
The sound of monks chanting is heard and that can only mean one thing: the druids are coming. Eight druids come to ringside wheeling a casket. Could the Undertaker be inside? They position it ringside and surround the ring.
All of a sudden the stage explodes and Kane makes his way to the ring. Inside the ring is black carpet, a black wreath propped up and a podium. Kane instructs the druids to open the casket and inside there is nothing. What proceeds is the most intense promo I’ve heard Kane cut since he was feuding with the Undertaker back in 2004.
“In all likelihood the most feared, dreaded, respected force in the history of the WWE, the Undertaker, my brother, will no longer walk amongst us. Gone are the endless nights when the Undertaker would strike fear into the hearts of those in his presence. Gone is the face of darkness, his brilliance extinguished by an act of cowardice. Gone is the specter that was beloved and admired by millions of creatures around the world. Gone from the WWE is its most iconic figure. And gone forever are the bonds of brotherhood. My brother will rise from the dead no more. Gone is the Undertaker.
“But soon enough those responsible for this ATROCITY will too be gone. They will be committed to the depths of hell to a torturous existence that they cannot fathom. I will personally prosecute and persecute ANYONE who had anything to do with this tragedy. THERE WILL BE VENGEANCE! THERE WILL BE VENGEANCE, COLD, CUNNING, CRUEL! THERE WILL BE VENGEANCE NEVER BEFORE SEEN OR FELT! VENGEANCE NEVER BEFORE IMAGINED! THERE WILL BE A VENGEANCE SWIFT, DECISIVE, AND TERRIBLE! YES, THERE WILL BE VENGEANCE!”
Kane knocks over the podium and does the Undertaker’s one knee pose to the casket. Kane then falls to his face crying and saying he should have been there for him. Kane reaches out and touches the casket crying. That was absolutely insane.
-Commercial Break-
Tony Chimel is in the ring and he introduces the World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger. He’ll be in a non-title contest against MVP. Swagger wears a Sooners jersey deep in the heart of Texas, where the Longhorns rule.
Jack Swagger vs. MVP
Swagger quickly hits a double leg takedown and rides MVP with a waist lock. MVP fights up but Swagger pops his hips and takes him down again. MVP fights up again and elbows out. Swagger gives him the old “what’s up with that” and gets slapped in the face. Swagger quickly goes outside to lick his wounds. Swagger charges the ring but MVP ducks the clothesline and hits a big forearm to the face for a one count. MVP hits a headlock takeover and keeps him grounded. Swagger gets on his stomach and fights up, backing MVP to the corner.
Swagger knees MVP in the corner and whips him to the opposite side but MVP slingshots over and slaps him in the back of the head. Swagger can’t believe it and he angrily executes a double leg takedown, punching MVP wildly. MVP turns it and punches back. MVP then hits a big running kick to the head that sends Swagger out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see MVP get a near fall over the champion. MVP elbows him in the back of the head and locks on a submission. During the break MVP hit a nice plancha. Swagger’s tongue is bleeding so he must’ve bitten it at some point. Swagger fights out of the submission and punches but MVP blocks and punches back. MVP punches him down in the corner until the referee backs him up. Swagger then kicks MVP in the knee and sends him shoulder first into the ring post. Swagger takes him out and does it again. MVP falls to the outside.
Swagger is looking for a count-out. The referee gets to nine and a half but MVP rolls into the ring. Swagger immediately stomps away at him and chokes him with his knee. Swagger locks on an overheard key lock, looking to pop his shoulder out. MVP fights up and punches. MVP goes into the ropes and eats a big boot. Swagger covers for a near fall. Swagger puts him in the corner and punches away. Swagger hits some crossfaces and locks on another key lock. MVP backs himself to the ropes and gets a break. Swagger sends him to the ropes but lowers his head and eats a kick.
MVP avoids Swagger and hits some clotheslines. MVP has a whip reversed to the corner. MVP attempts another slingshot but Swagger catches him and hits a nice powerslam for a near fall. MVP is set up and Swagger hits the Vader Bomb for another near fall. Swagger applies a nice key lock now. MVP tries to fight out but Swagger takes him down. MVP eventually does fight up and punch out. Swagger staggers to the corner and MVP hits a Drive By Kick.
Both men are down now and getting counted out. Both get up and Swagger charges into an elbow. MVP comes back with some punches and clotheslines. MVP hits a throat thrust and a face buster. MVP signals and goes for his BALLIN Elbow Drop but Swagger charges. MVP counters him with a belly to belly overhead suplex and he then hits the BALLIN Elbow Drop but Swagger is too close to the ropes as he gets a break before the three.
MVP goes for the 305 but Swagger pushes him off. Swagger goes for a big boot but MVP ducks it and hits the Perfect Plex for a near fall. MVP picks him up and Swagger hits a jawbreaker followed by a belly to belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger seems to have some rope burn under his arm pit. It’s red and swollen. It might also be bleeding too. Swagger goes for another Vader Bomb but MVP gets up and yanks him off the second rope. MVP goes for another Drive By Kick but Swagger moves and rolls him up for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Jack Swagger
Match Rating: ** 1/4
Jack Swagger grabs his title and heads to the back. Curt Hawkins all of a sudden storms the ring and gets punched down by MVP. Soon after Vance Archer shows up and hits the Bulls Eye on MVP. Hawkins goes up top and hits an elbow drop on MVP. They pose in the ring and believe they made an impact. They need to make an impact before their contracts expire. Oh just let them expire please. Vance Archer with that tramp stamp drives me insane.
Teddy Long is backstage when Vickie Guerrero walks up. She says he needs to get a hold of himself. Tonight is all about business and he needs to take action. She says someone needs to take Undertaker’s place in the Fatal Four Way. Vickie says Dolph Ziggler would be a perfect fit. Teddy Long says every man on the roster will have an opportunity. Every man on the roster will compete in a Smackdown Battle Royal tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Did you know that WWE has won numerous awards for its support of the US Military, including “USO’s Legacy of Hope”, “Corporate Patriot Award”, and “Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award”?
A video plays hyping up the Season Finale of NXT from this past Tuesday. If you missed it then make sure you check out my recap of the show. It was a great show. Wade Barrett won the competition and he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.
CM Punk is backstage putting his mask on when Kane comes in and grabs him. Kane says he smells the stench of guilt on him. Punk says he and the S.E.S. know all about family and they know how he feels. Kane says he’s not here to talk about that. He just has one question: “Did you do it?” Punk says he and the S.E.S. would be happy to help with a fallen brother. Kane angrily says brother and throws Punk.
-Commercial Break-
The Smack of the Night is Drew McIntyre handing Teddy Long a letter from Mr. McMahon. Matt Hardy was suspended without pay until further notice. Matt Hardy then came out and was held back by security. McIntyre taunted him and said he’s the reason Hardy is suspended.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston (c)
The match begins and Kingston gets a waist lock. McIntyre elbows out and clubs him down. McIntyre whips him down by the hair and stomps his face. McIntyre puts him in the corner and punches but Kingston punches back. McIntyre gains control and head-butts him. McIntyre puts him in the corner and punches him down. McIntyre goes to throw him out of the ring but Kingston bounces off the ropes and hits a dropkick. Kingston kicks and blocks a hip toss with a monkey flip. Kingston leaps onto his shoulders and punches. Kingston punches McIntyre down in the corner until he’s backed up. Kingston charges into a boot and McIntyre hits a back suplex for a near fall.
McIntyre hits a European Uppercut and a nice front suplex on the top rope. McIntyre kicks him off the rope, sending him to the floor. The camera then cuts to a suspended Matt Hardy (from Smackdown, not NXT apparently) with a front row ticket in his hand. Hardy sits near the ultra annoying sign guy and McIntyre is not pleased.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Kingston duck a clothesline but get caught with a tilt-a-whirl gut buster for a near fall! McIntyre punches Kingston wildly and then angrily looks at Hardy ringside. Kingston punches away but McIntyre quickly gains advantage and chokes him on the rope. McIntyre pulls Kingston over the apron and clubs the chest on the outside. McIntyre gets back in the ring and stomps Kingston’s head. McIntyre brings him out to the apron but Kingston kicks him away. Kingston goes outside and gets driven into the stairs. McIntyre then hits a snap suplex on the outside!
Kingston is sent back into the ring and covered for a near fall. McIntyre hits some crossfaces and pulls back on the arms with a surfboard. Kingston fights up and hits a flipping mule kick! Kingston hits some punches, slides under the legs, and takes a knee to his injured ribs for a near fall. McIntyre is not happy and covers again for another near fall. McIntyre applies a quick abdominal stretch but only wanted to punch the ribs. McIntyre clubs him in the corner and hits a short-arm clothesline. McIntyre glares at Hardy and turns to take a kip up hurricanrana! Kingston then clotheslines him down.
Kingston slaps and punches McIntyre down before hitting a dropkick. Kingston misses a forearm but hits a crucifix for a near fall. McIntyre avoids a splash in the corner but can’t avoid a pendulum kick. Kingston goes to the top rope and hits a cross-body block for a near fall. Kingston punches but has a whip reversed. McIntyre hits a neckbreaker over his knee for another near fall. McIntyre goes for a suplex but Kingston lands on his feet and hits a clothesline to the back of the head. Kingston hits the Boom Drop and signals it’s time for Trouble in Paradise. McIntyre gets up and avoids it by exiting the ring. McIntyre then sidesteps Kingston as he attempts a plancha. McIntyre then walks over and back hands Hardy in the face.
McIntyre sends Kingston into the ring as security hold Matt Hardy back from charging the ring. McIntyre is distracted by this as he taunts Hardy. McIntyre then walks into the SOS! Kingston retains!
Winner & still Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston
Match Rating: **
Matt Hardy breaks past the security and hits the Twist of Fate on Drew McIntyre! Hardy then bolts from the ring and outruns the security. McIntyre lays in the ring stunned.
Kane is in the back with his head in his hands. Rey Mysterio is next to him and he crosses himself. Mysterio says he’s sorry for his loss. Kane says he doesn’t want his sympathy and questions whether he’s just here to cover his tracks. Mysterio doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Kane says last week his brother turned his dream into a nightmare. Mysterio says he had nothing to do with what happened to Undertaker. Kane says maybe he didn’t but maybe he did. Kane will not blindly assume anyone’s innocence. Mysterio walks away as Kane looks intense.
The Smackdown Battle Royal is still to come with a spot in the Fatal Four Way on the line. Who will get a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship?
-Commercial Break-
Footage is shown of earlier in the night when Jack Swagger beat MVP after a hard fought match. After the match Curt Hawkins and Vance Archer beat MVP down in order to make an impact.
Jack Swagger is backstage wearing his Sooners jersey again. Swagger says it appears some people doubt his accolades and the University of Oklahoma. In this state and city the University of Oklahoma invented Swagger. Not only was he a two-time All-American-American wrestler, he was also a starter for the Oklahoma Sooners. All four years they sent the Texas Longhorns back down to Austin crying. To honor his great achievements and his victory at Fatal Four Way he’s going to sing the University of Oklahoma fight song. The music plays and Swagger sings off-key and off-tempo. Kane all of a sudden walks up and asks if it was Swagger. Swagger doesn’t look at him and keeps his head down.
Rosa Mendes vs. Kelly Kelly
Charles Robinson has this contest. He’s my favorite referee. They lock up and Rosa knees her. Rosa sends her to the corner but Kelly slingshots over, cartwheels, and hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Lay-Cool comes out to the stage and waves, distracting Kelly enough to be whipped down and covered for a near fall. Rosa sends her to the corner and splashes her. Rosa chokes her on the rope as Lay-Cool laughs. Rosa taunts the crowd and hits a suplex for a near fall. Rosa applies a head-scissors and looks for a submission. Rosa lets go, goes into the ropes, and takes a Thesz Press.
Kelly hits a couple of clotheslines and sends her to the corner. Kelly hits a cross-body for a near fall. Rosa kicks and goes to the ropes but can’t get anything going. This match is moving in slow motion. Kelly then hits the K-2 and gets the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Kelly Kelly
Match Rating: Brutal
Lay-Cool argue on the stage while Kelly taunts them. Whatever…
-Commercial Break-
The Junkyard Dog video plays again. JYD was a legend.
Big Show is backstage playing cards with Hornswoggle. Kane walks in and Hornswoggle leaves. Kane says his brother has always had Big Show’s number and there was never anything he could do about it. Big Show said he had nothing to do with what happened. Big Show said not to accuse him of anything because that would be a giant mistake. Kane kicked the table over and left.
The Fatal Four Way card so far is run down. It’s only two matches so far, including Smackdown’s incomplete World Title match.
A video is shown showcasing what happened earlier in the night when the druids came down with the casket. Kane then cut a tremendous promo promising vengeance against whoever attacked the Undertaker.
It’s time for the Smackdown Battle Royal. Rey Mysterio is the first entrant into the match. Dolph Ziggler is out next. The rest will make their way to the ring during the break.
-Commercial Break-
Fatal Four Way Qualifying Battle Royal
Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. MVP vs. Christian vs. JTG vs. Finlay vs. Caylen Croft vs. Trent Baretta vs. Chris Masters vs. Curt Hawkins vs. Vance Archer vs. Luke Gallows vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Kane
Hey, I thought Finlay was too old to wrestle? I guess not when the roster is as thin as it is.
The bell rings and the usual chaos that is the trademark of battle royals ensues. Many eliminations are attempted but none are successful yet. Kane sends Kingston into the corner and clotheslines him. Mysterio then slides under the ring and assaults CM Punk. Mysterio tries to pull the mask off but can’t. Gallows charges and gets sent into the barricade. CM Punk and Serena run to the back. The ring is still full as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see that no one has been eliminated yet. Everyone seems to be working on Kane. One of the Dude-Busters nearly eliminates the ancient Finlay but he makes them pay. All the heels are stomping Kane down in the corner. They all try to eliminate him but Gallows stops them for some reason. Gallows then eliminates Caylen Croft and Kane eliminates Chris Masters. Gallows then back body drops Trent Baretta onto Caylen Croft. JTG was also eliminated. Gallows and Kane go face to face and they duke it out. Kane punches Gallows down.
Kofi Kingston then charges Drew McIntyre and takes them both over the top rope. Mysterio is nearly eliminated by Archer and Gallows but he hangs on. MVP attacks Gallows as Finlay takes Archer down. Ziggler then applies the Sleeper Hold on Finlay. Christian then pulls Ziggler and eliminates him. Finlay then eliminates Christian. That’s a surprise.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break and Gallows and Archer are the only ones standing. There were near eliminations during the break but everyone is still in. Mysterio puts Chavo in position but misses a 619. Chavo teases an elimination but Mysterio catches him with a hurricanrana and eliminates him. Finlay grabs Mysterio and goes for an elimination but it’s countered into a DDT. MVP nearly eliminates Gallows during this as well. MVP punches away at Hawkins and hits a face buster. MVP then attacks Archer. Archer comes back with a big knee to the face. Finlay hammers Archer down and teams up with MVP to throw him out. Finlay then turns on MVP and eliminates him. Kane then immediately eliminates Finlay. Mysterio then takes Hawkins out with a victory roll hurricanrana.
The final three are Luke Gallows, Kane, and Rey Mysterio. Kane big boots Mysterio and Gallows attacks Kane. All of a sudden that masked S.E.S. member kicks Kane. Gallows sends Kane over the top rope but he holds on. Gallows charges and Kane grabs him by the neck. Kane flips the S.E.S. member off the apron (!) and tosses Gallows over the top rope by the throat.
Kane and Mysterio fight for a second until Mysterio puts him in position. Mysterio goes for a 619 but Kane clotheslines him down. Kane punches him in the corner and kicks his head. Kane goes for a powerslam but Mysterio slides off and goes for a wheelbarrow bulldog but Kane hangs him up on the top rope. Kane nearly gets an elimination but Mysterio holds on. Mysterio hits a springboard seated senton (the move that broke Undertaker’s orbital bone) and runs into a big boot. Kane sends him into the corner and runs into the boots. Kane goes for a sidewalk slam but Mysterio counters into a reverse DDT. Mysterio hits the 619 and springboards into a Chokeslam attempt. Mysterio counters the Chokeslam mid-air into a hurricanrana that takes Kane over the top rope!
Winner of the Battle Royal: Rey Mysterio
Match Rating: * 3/4
Rey Mysterio celebrates big time. The Smackdown Fatal Four Way Match will be Jack Swagger defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Big Show, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio.
Quick Match Results
Jack Swagger def. MVP (non-title)
Kofi Kingston def. Drew McIntyre to retain the IC Title
Kelly Kelly def. Rosa Mendes
F4W Qualifier: Rey Mysterio won a Battle Royal
Bump of the Night: The Dude-Buster’s eliminations, the S.E.S. member elimination, and McIntyre snap suplexing Kingston on the floor!
Match of the Night: Jack Swagger vs. MVP ** 1/4
Mike’s Thoughts
This is the Smackdown that we have all come to know and love. This edition of Smackdown was excellent from top to bottom: even the Divas match didn’t hurt it. We had some great wrestling and a new storyline to keep us interested in the coming weeks.
This is going to sound bad but the injury to the Undertaker is the best thing that could happen to Smackdown. Don’t get me wrong: I’m a huge Undertaker fan and I would never wish or be happy about an injury to any wrestler, but Smackdown needed something interesting. A storyline where the Undertaker was attacked and the witch hunt that’s coming is going to make for some interesting television (if WWE doesn’t mess it up). Kane kicked this off with a bang tonight with a TREMENDOUS promo that needs to be seen for full effect. Kane was the best I’ve seen him in years and really delivered on this. It needed that to get started. I’m looking forward to what an enraged Kane on the loose does. Thank goodness JR is gone: maybe Kane would set him on fire again out of rage. Let the speculation of who the culprit is begin. I know a lot of people will lean towards Kane. I hope not but that does seem like a good choice. Give it to an up and coming heel that really needs it.
Well so much for Rey Mysterio’s month off. Mysterio will have to carry the brand for now as the Undertaker recovers and that’s fine by me. Rey Mysterio is a favorite of mine and he delivers every time he’s in the ring. Maybe after Fatal Four Way he and Punk can have a Mask vs. Mask match. I want to see CM Punk bald!
The battle royal was fun to watch and really well done. I was happy to see Finlay make a return. That was bull about him being too old to wrestle. Finlay can go better than half the young guys on the roster. He’s too old to wrestle yet Vince was in a WrestleMania match? Ric Flair wrestled for this company until he was 60? Come on, now. Finlay is that guy that can help get a guy who needs a rub over. Welcome back.
I really enjoyed the Jack Swagger vs. MVP match. They really delivered tonight in this match. MVP is finally gaining back some of that steam that he lost when he went over to Raw and spent half that time in Superstars purgatory. It’s unclear now whether he’ll get it all back. I think a heel turn is needed somewhere down the line because it A.) fits his character and B.) he excelled in that position. I still think MVP can be a World Champ some day.
The Intercontinental Championship match was really well done. Kofi Kingston really went all out for this one as did Drew McIntyre. I also liked seeing Matt Hardy come out and get the better of him. The only problem is it’s painfully clear how little the crowd cares about Drew McIntyre. Yes, I’ll admit, the guy has talent. You can’t deny that. But you also can’t deny that he is a crowd killer. He gets no heat whatsoever. It starts with his dull and boring ring entrance and ends right with his overall look. He just doesn’t look like a star to me. He can wrestle like one but he doesn’t look the part. I’ve had e-mails where people told me he has X-Pac heat. I couldn’t agree more. That’s not the heat they should be looking for with this guy. Some tweaking and he could be there. There’s not much you can do for his look but you can at least give him a better song.
Overall this show was great. With Undertaker getting injured last week WWE went on damage control and they came up with a great solution to it on the fly. It keeps Undertaker relevant and gives him more of a purpose for when he returns. I’m looking forward to the coming weeks of this show.
Final Rating: *** 1/2
E-Mail – MikeyT817@hotmail.com
Be sure to check out Tuesday’s NXT Season Finale recap. Also be sure to check out the record of your favorite WWE Superstar on the main page!
Thanks for reading!