WWE Smackdown
September 18, 2009
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Report by: Mike Tedesco of WrestleView.com
?Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event?? The WWE video leads us into the show.
A recap of the Breaking Point Main Event plays. It shows Undertaker winning the World Heavyweight Championship via Hell’s Gate but then promptly has it taken away by Teddy Long, who reminded us that Vickie Guerrero banned the move. The match was restarted and the bell was immediately rung as soon as CM Punk locked Taker in the Anaconda Vice. The Montreal Screw Job lives? again.
A limousine pulls up and General Manager Teddy Long steps out. Long is joined by an army of security guards and cautiously walks around.
The Smackdown video plays and we?re brought into the arena where Justin Roberts asks us to welcome Batista. Batista comes out to a great reception and he looks pumped to be here. Batista runs around the ringside area, slaps hands with JR and Todd Grisham, and then yells in the camera. I like the intensity of just his entrance. We then see a quick recap of Batista defeating Randy Orton in a No Holds Barred match on his last night on Raw.
Batista says as we know recently his contract expired with Raw, and for the first time in his career he got to CHOOSE where he wanted to be. No drafts or trades ? his choice, and he chose to be right here on Smackdown. The Blue Team and the A show! Batista says it feels good be to back and he can?t wait to get started.
Chris Jericho’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring looking none too happy. Jericho gets in the ring and says it’s so sweet and heartwarming now that he’s back on Smackdown. Jericho says he?d like to welcome him back to the show. Jericho says babies are smiling, birds are chirping, and the skies are clear now that Batista is back. Jericho asks the crowd if they like that fact, and they do. Jericho says Batista being back makes him sick. Batista is just like that other injury prone loser Edge, pandering to the pathetic parasites and begging for cheers from us hypocrites. Jericho says Batista is looking for a reward that he got injured and came back. Jericho says he wants to get something through Batista’s head ? he is the true face of Smackdown and everyone knows it. Jericho says a lot has changed since he’s been gone, and it’s been a while. Jericho says he’s the man on the show.
Batista says what he was always told is to be the man you?ve got to beat the man! Batista says he know a lot has changed but they?ll have a chance to catch up because Jericho has a match tonight? against him! Batista then hits a huge spinebuster on Jericho and leaves the ring smiling!
Backstage Chris Jericho rushes into the locker room and asks Big Show where he was. Big Show says that Jericho said he wanted to do it by himself. Jericho says he will. Jericho says they?re the Unified Tag Team Champions but tells him not to forget he was the first Undisputed World Champion, and most importantly the last time he faced Batista he beat him for the World Title. Jericho says he?ll face him by himself and tells Big Show to watch because he?ll show him why he is the best in the world at what he does.
Coming up next we?ll have an interview with referee Scott Armstrong. Yes, they actually mentioned a referee by his name.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break and Dolph Ziggler is sitting at the announcer’s table. He?ll be watching John Morrison take on Mike Knox. It’s announced that Dolph Ziggler will take on John Morrison for the Intercontinental Championship at Hell in a Cell.
While Mike Knox comes out another one of his ?Hannibal Lecter? promos airs. Knox says Restless Leg Syndrome affects nearly 25 million people in this country. It’s a neurological disorder where the victim’s legs develop a crawling, aching sensation that can only be relieved by the rapid movement of the lower extremities. Knox smiles and says to John Morrison that they haven?t found a cure yet.
John Morrison vs. Mike Knox
The bell rings and this non-title match begins. Morrison ducks a lock up and gets a side headlock. Knox whips him off and shoulder blocks him down. Knox picks him up and punches him back down. Knox kicks him in the corner. Knox blocks a kick so Morrison counters that with the pele kick. Knox charges Morrison in the corner but he slips through the ropes and slides between his legs. Morrison then hits a nice shin kick to the skull. Knox angrily charges Morrison but he pulls the top rope down and Knox flies over the top rope. Morrison gets on the apron and hits a picture perfect Asai Moonsault, landing on his feet! A beautiful move to take us to the commercial!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Morrison locked in a chin lock. During the commercial break Knox viciously whipped John Morrison into the ring post. That looked nasty. In the ring Morrison fights up but Knox clubs him in the back. Knox sends him into the ropes chest first and Morrison walks backwards into a bicycle kick to the skull! Wow! Knox covers and gets a near fall. Knox drops a few knees on the back before hitting a big splash for a two count. Knox hits a nice backbreaker and stretches Morrison over his knee. Morrison tries to fight out so Knox lifts him back up and gives him another backbreaker. Knox goes for one more backbreaker but Morrison is able to counter with a nasty DDT, which gets him a near fall.
Morrison hits some right hands so Knox pushes him off and Morrison counters with a dropkick to the knee. Morrison goes back into the ropes and hits a nice jumping calf kick. Morrison follows up with a running knee to the face and a STANDING Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Morrison goes for the Moonlight Drive but Knox pushes him off and DESTROYS him with a cross-body for a near fall! Knox goes for his finisher but Morrison counters out and hits the Flying Chuck. Knox is set up in the corner so Morrison hits Starship Pain for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: John Morrison
Match Rating: ** ?
John Morrison grabs a microphone after a brief celebration and he asks how Dolph Ziggler is doing after playing footsie with Todd Grisham. Morrison says he knows he’s trying to make a name for himself but he feels the only name the WWE Universe will be chanting is Mr. Ziggles. The crowd starts chanting it and Ziggler gets upset. Ziggler angrily walks to the back and Morrison says he?ll see him at the Pay Per View.
JR and Todd Grisham quickly discuss the controversy surrounding the Breaking Point Pay Per View. We then see the end of the match where Scott Armstrong calls for the bell, gives CM Punk the title, and quickly runs away.
We?re brought backstage where Josh Mathews is with Scott Armstrong. Mathews asks why he did what he did. Armstrong says he’s asked himself that question many times since Sunday. What was asked of him on Sunday was something he’s never been asked in thirty years. Armstrong says if you don?t own the business you answer to the one who does, and he answers to somebody that’s much higher in position than he is. Armstrong has been around thirty years, he has a wife and kids, whom he loves, and they?re the reason for him being there. He was asked to do something that was wrong and made him sick to his stomach before he went out. It’s something he’s not proud of but he makes no excuses ? he did what he had to do to keep his job.
-Commercial Break-
The Decade of Smackdown celebration is on October 2nd!
Melina vs. Michelle McCool
This is a non-title match. It should be noted that Michelle McCool is still limping. Melina goes for McCool quickly so McCool puts herself through the ropes. They lock up and McCool quickly starts kneeing and punching her. McCool sends her into the ropes and Melina hits a head-scissors into a spinning kick. McCool goes to the outside and Melina follows her. McCool runs back into the ring and pulls Melina back into the ring viciously. McCool grounds and pounds Melina until the referee makes her get off. McCool hits some more kicks and a knee to the face. McCool then locks on a grounded dragon sleeper. Melina fights up and knees out so McCool takes her back down.
McCool drops a knee on her face and sends her to the corner. McCool chokes her with her foot illegally. McCool goes to baseball slide Melina out of the ring but Melina avoids her, sending McCool out of the ring. McCool seems to have reinjured her knee as Melina kicks her and hits a seated senton off the apron. Melina bounces her head off the apron and sends her back to the ring. Melina hits a drop-toe-hold onto the second rope and unnecessarily screams before going into the ropes and bouncing off McCool’s back. Melina hits a hair pull face buster and covers for a near fall. Melina hits some forearms and sends McCool to the ropes but McCool hangs on. Melina charges into a back elbow. McCool goes for a big boot but Melina does the matrix move, avoiding it, but she can?t avoid a second big boot, giving McCool a near fall. McCool goes for the Faith Breaker but Melina counters into her Code Red finisher for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Melina
Match Rating: * ?
Teddy Long is pacing backstage in his office, begging his security team to stay with him. Vince McMahon walks in and excuses the security team. McMahon asks where his picture is. Last week Long said he was going to give a surprise that will change the face of Smackdown? and he’s done it. Batista is back on Smackdown. McMahon also mentions Long said he?d come up with something for Breaking Point, and boy did he ever. McMahon asks what possessed him to double cross the Undertaker. Long said McMahon said? and McMahon cuts him off, saying all he said was to entertain the people. McMahon says he thinks Long owes him an explanation, and it better be the right answer. In fact, he owes the WWE Universe an explanation. McMahon sends him to the ring to explain why he double crossed the Undertaker and he?ll be listening in the office. McMahon asks if Long has any idea what the Undertaker will do to him. Long says he better get going and leaves.
-Commercial Break-
Did you know over 15 million people watch WWE every week?
General Manager Theodore R. Long’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring flanked by security guards. Long says he?d first like to welcome back the newest, and biggest, edition to the Smackdown roster Batista. Long says he’s out here to make an admission. Long admits that all of this was preplanned and was done so to prevent Undertaker from becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. Long says he’s not going to stand out here and say that he’s proud of what he did, because he’s not. Long also isn?t going to stand out here and say he’s not afraid of the Undertaker, because he is. Long knows Undertaker may show up here tonight so that’s why he’s surrounded with the security. Long reminds us that he’s not the only one involved in this ? there’s the referee Scott Armstrong and the World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk.
Long says he knows how he feels about the conspiracy and he wants to tells us the reason why he did what he did. Long has a family he has to take care of. Times are tough and he can?t let his family down. Long says he’s too old to learn how to do something new. Long says he?d like to apologize for his actions, specifically to the WWE Universe. He would especially like to apologize to the Undertaker. Long says he hopes Undertaker can find it in his heart to forgive him. Long leaves the ring and walks to the back with the guards.
We see Long walking backstage and getting in his limousine. There’s a camera in the limo so we can see what’s going on. Long asks the driver to get him out but the limo doesn?t move. The doors lock and the partition slides down to reveal the Undertaker is the driver! Undertaker tells Teddy Long to buckle up and the lights go out! Long is scared for his life as he bangs on the windows, yelling for someone to get him out of there. Smoke and purple lighting fill the arena as the limo drives off.
-Commercial Break-
We see a brief video recap of what just happened as Undertaker abducted Teddy Long.
Justin Roberts asks us to please welcome the only Straightedge World Heavyweight Champion in history CM Punk. CM Punk makes his way to the ring smiling. Punk gets in the ring and says he told us so. Punk says it seems like he’s out here a lot saying that to us. Punk reminds us that he?d beat Jeff Hardy, and he did. He also says he?d get rid of Jeff Hardy forever, and he did. Punk then says he?d make the Undertaker tap out to the Anaconda Vice, and he did. Punk says he’s not out there to gloat about being the only man to ever make Undertaker tap out. Punk came out to confront the Undertaker in his ring or his yard, if you will. Punk came out here to stick his title in Taker’s face and say he told him so. Of course he’s conveniently not here right now, so he?ll just address us.
Punk says it’s come to his attention that people are saying he’s preaching to them. Punk says he is because we need someone to preach to us, a leader who isn?t morally corrupt. Punk says he knows what we?re going to do next ? give up, just like Undertaker. From the looks of us we already have. Punk says what kind of life is it to crawl out of bed and pop a pill. We then fill our lives with beer to heal our broken self-worth. Then we make excuses about inhaling poison into our lungs just to calm our nerves. Then we need one more pill to make us forget everything and help us sleep. Punk says we?re all just a legion of inebriated zombies, waiting in line at the pharmacy for our next anti-depressant. Punk says we look for scapegoats for all our inadequacies. Punk says not to tell him we don?t do that because then we?re liars too. We?re lying to ourselves, our family, and to him. Punk says he sees right through that because he is not a liar. Punk is a man who means what he says, and says what he means. What Punk calls himself is a prophet, a champion we can be proud of. Punk says if we?re not straightedge like him then that means he’s better than us. CM Punk raises his title over his head and leaves the ring.
Still to come tonight is Batista vs. Chris Jericho.
-Commercial Break-
Tonight we?ll see Kane and the Great Khali collide once more. Hopefully this will be the blow-off to their agonizing feud.
Cryme Tyme vs. The Hart Dynasty
Cryme Tyme made their way to the ring with Eve. It?ll be David Hart Smith starting out against Shad Gaspard. They lock up and Shad gets a quick side headlock. Smith pushes him off and gets shoulder blocked down. Shad hits some punches and goes for a whip but Smith twists into a knee lift. Smith hits an elbow to the back of the head and stomps him down in the corner. The crowd cheers for the Canadian. Smith whips Shad into the corner and Shad explodes out with a clothesline. Shad hits another clothesline before hitting a unique flapjack. Shad tags in JTG and leap frogs him into Smith in the corner.
Smith whips JTG into the ropes and eats an uppercut. JTG dropkicks Smith out of the ring. Tyson Kidd runs in but JTG ducks his clothesline. Kidd runs right into Shad, who gorilla presses him over his head and drops him right back down. The Hart Dynasty is on the outside rethinking as the crowd boos Cryme Tyme. I love Canada!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Shad whip Kidd into the ropes. Kidd hangs on and boots Shad in the face before tagging in Smith. Smith hits a nice clothesline for a one count. Smith elbows Shad a few times in the neck before locking on a chin lock. Shad fights up and punches out. Smith hits some knees and tags in Kidd. Smith whips Shad into the ropes and drop-toe-holds him while Kidd simultaneously hits a low dropkick to the skull. That combination gets Kidd a two count. Kidd viciously stomps him a bit and hits some elbows. Kidd locks on a chin lock and really wrenches it in. Shad powers up but Kidd makes a quick tag to Smith. Kidd hits a snapmare and Smith hits a rolling neck snapper. Kidd kicks Shad in the back as Smith covers for a two count.
Smith knees Shad in the back and locks on a grounded Tazmission. Shad gets up but gets kneed right back down. Smith goes into the ropes and eats a big boot. Both men are down. Smith grabs the ankle to prevent Shad from making the tag. Smith hits some kicks and tags in Kidd. They whip Shad into the corner hard and Kidd covers for a near fall. Kidd locks on a side headlock. Shad pushes him off and sends him high over his head but Kidd lands on his feet and hits a side kick. Kidd goes into the ropes and gets his head taken off by a clothesline. Both men are down and Shad finally tags in to JTG.
JTG ducks a clothesline and hits a flipping shoulder block. JTG hits a dropkick and counters a whip into an over the knee neckbreaker. JTG tries to get the crowd into it but they?re booing him. JTG knocks Smith down on the apron and comes off the second rope with leg-line for a near fall. Kidd hits a knee to the midsection and goes for a body slam but JTG gets to his feet. Kidd gets a waist lock on and rolls him up for a near fall. JTG gets the roll up now and gets a two count. JTG hits the Shout Out and covers but only gets one when Smith interferes! Shad starts punching it out with Smith but Smith sends him out of the ring. Eve prevents Natalya from getting involved as well. In the ring Smith hits a quick boot to the skull and Kidd hits his snapmare neckbreaker for the win! The crowd gives them a big pop for this!
Winners by Pinfall: The Hart Dynasty
Match Rating: ** ?
Backstage Melina walks into the Diva’s Locker Room to see photos of Michelle McCool being seemingly cradled by Dolph Ziggler plastered all over the walls. Melina feigns shock as she tries to take them down for Maria’s sake. Maria walks in and though it’s clear that Melina is taking them down, she accuses her of putting them up. Maria says she’s done with Melina and walks out.
Still to come tonight is Batista vs. Chris Jericho but before we get that we have to endure Khali vs. Kane one more time.
-Commercial Break-
The announcers run down the Hell in a Cell card quickly, which is in three weeks. They don?t really give you a break do they?
The Great Khali vs. Kane
The match begins and Khali quickly begins punching and kicking him in the corner. Khali chops Kane’s chest and hits a big boot. Khali goes to grab Kane by the skull so he gets out of the ring. Khali bounces Kane’s head off the announcer’s table. Kane uppercuts Khali and knocks him unconscious with a steel chair shot to the head.
Winner by Disqualification: The Great Khali
Match Rating: N/A
Kane knocks the top half of the steel steps off and drags the unconscious Khali to them. Kane stomps Khali’s head and puts Khali’s leg on the steps. Kane then smashes, and dents, the steel steps, effectively breaking Khali’s leg! I?ve never seen the steel steps dented before! Ranjin Singh checks on his brother while Kane walks away smiling at his carnage.
-Commercial Break-
During the commercial the Great Khali was taken away on a stretcher while clutching his leg. I don?t think we?ll be seeing him for some time.
The Smack of the Night is Drew McIntyre’s constant assaults on R-Truth over the past three weeks. I love this guy and I love how he ruins all our little parties.
Charlie Haas is in the ring and R-Truth’s music hits, only it’s Drew McIntyre who comes out. McIntyre gets into the ring and says it seems R-Truth was involved in an accident backstage. McIntyre was informed he is unable to compete here tonight so that makes Charlie Haas the winner by forfeit in his eyes. McIntyre congratulates him and puts his hand out for Haas to shake. Haas does and walks away so McIntyre kicks him and hits a NASTY Double Arm DDT! McIntyre then walks away, cocky as ever.
Batista vs. Chris Jericho is next.
-Commercial Break-
We get one more look at the Undertaker’s entertaining abduction of Teddy Long.
Chris Jericho vs. Batista
The bell rings and they walk around before approaching one another. Batista goes for a lock up but Jericho ducks it and slaps him right in the face! Batista picks him up and powers him into the corner where he drives some shoulders into the midsection. Batista whips Jericho into the ropes. Jericho ducks a clothesline and goes for a cross-body but Batista catches him and powerslams him for a two count. Batista hits some right hands and whips Jericho into the ropes but Jericho hangs on. Batista runs into a dropkick to the knee. Batista gets up on the apron and Jericho dropkicks him again in the knee, knocking him to the floor.
We see Big Show watching backstage as Jericho kicks Batista and bounces his head off the announcer’s table. Jericho sends Batista back into the ring and works on the knee. Jericho punches Batista a few times and locks on an arm trap chin lock. Batista powers up with Jericho on his back and drives him into the corner, releasing the hold. Batista walks right into some leg kicks. Jericho hits some right hands and kicks to the leg. Jericho gets into the ropes and gets caught in a spinning side slam.
Batista whips Jericho into the ropes and hits a back elbow. Batista clotheslines Jericho in the corner and drives some more shoulders into his midsection. Batista whips Jericho into the corner and charges into a big boot. Jericho hits a face buster. Jericho goes for a Lionsault but Batista moves. Jericho lands on his feet and goes into the ropes, running right into a huge spinebuster. Batista shakes the ropes and gets the crowd into it. Batista goes for the Batista Bomb but Jericho slides off and kicks the leg before hitting an Enzuigiri for a near fall. Jericho goes to the top rope and flies off into a clothesline! Batista waits for Jericho to get up and goes for a Spear but Jericho sidesteps him, sending Batista shoulder first into the ring post! Jericho rolls him up with his feet on the ropes for a near fall.
Jericho argues with the referee before going back and punching Batista. Jericho walks into a kick and Batista goes for the Batista Bomb. Jericho sweeps his legs and locks on the Walls of Jericho! Batista powers out and kicks Jericho away. Batista runs into a back elbow. Jericho goes for the Codebreaker but Batista holds him and turns it into a Batista Bomb for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Batista
Match Rating: **
Backstage Big Show is asked by Josh Mathews for his reaction. Big Show says Batista got lucky. If Batista chooses to get into the ring with him next week then his luck will run out.
Quick Match Results
John Morrison def. Mike Knox (non-title)
Melina def. Michelle McCool (non-title)
The Hart Dynasty def. Cryme Tyme
The Great Khali def. Kane via DQ
Batista def. Chris Jericho
Bump of the Night: Morrison’s Asai Moonsault to Mike Knox!
Match of the Night: The Hart Dynasty vs. Cryme Tyme ** ?
Mike’s Thoughts
This was a very entertaining, storyline heavy show tonight. I enjoyed tonight’s main storyline, which was the fallout of the Montreal Screw Job Part III. Everyone played their parts well. I?m glad they got an interview in there with Scott Armstrong. Hell, I?m just happy they mentioned a referee by their name. How asinine is that rule? Anyway, I like Teddy Long being the scapegoat here. I thought the Undertaker’s abduction of the limo was a little silly but it was still fun with Teddy Long’s reaction. That was a priceless face. That’s old school Undertaker. I also loved CM Punk coming out after that and claiming he wanted to see Undertaker face to face, knowing he wasn?t in the building. It was all really good. Of course it?ll all tie back to Vince McMahon who set the whole thing up. Why? Because any good storyline can?t go without having his face on it, that’s why!
I thought Batista’s return was done well tonight. They kept his talking to a minimum in the opening segment and let Jericho set the whole thing up. That’s a formula for success right there. They then went on to have an entertaining Main Event. I really liked the Codebreaker counter into a Batista Bomb. Batista’s presence certainly gave the show an extra boost tonight. Too bad the crowd was lame throughout the whole thing.
I?m glad John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler are finally getting a shot on PPV. Morrison had a great match with Mike Knox while Ziggler was entertaining on commentary. I?m expecting their match to bring down the house in a few short weeks.
The Diva’s match wasn?t bad but the backstage skit was atrocious. I haven?t really said much about it these past few weeks but I have to say that this is the stupidest storyline I?ve seen in a while. It’s just going no where and is devoid of any logic.
The Great Khali was finished off by Kane tonight. He?ll be going for some knee surgery. I?m not happy he’s going for surgery ? I?m just happy his feud with Kane is officially over now. How did they stretch that out all summer?
The Hart Dynasty was terrific in their match against Cryme Tyme tonight. The match was tremendous. It’s the little things the Hart Dynasty does that add more realism to their matches. I hope they get a shot at the titles soon. They deserve it.
One last thing ? where the hell has Charles Robinson been? It’s been weeks since I?ve seen him. Dammit!
All in all it wasn?t a bad show. It’s the first show that’s been more storyline driven than wrestling driven. It’s been a while so it’s not a terrible thing when it happens. I just hope it isn?t every week. Smackdown is my wrestling haven so let’s not change a winning formula.
Final Rating: ** ?
E-Mail ? MikeyT817@hotmail.com
Be sure to check out yesterday’s Superstars recap.
Thanks for reading!
Follow WrestleView.com on Twitter: twitter.com/wrestleview
Send us news/results: click here