Getting Over 9.07.06: SmackDown! The Final Chapter!
Posted by Mike LaFave on 09.07.2006
Two down, one to go, but it’s the big one. The Big Money main event Program that will put SmackDown! on level w/ Raw!
Welcome back to the number one fantasy booking column on the internet. I have no scientific facts to back up those claims, but we all know it's true. Hopefully you've read the first two parts of Getting Over SmackDown!. If not, I've been kind enough to include the links for you, you can thank me later. Part One and Part Two.
After turning a convoluted mid card and a strung together tag scene, into legitimate draws, this we I tackle the main event. SmackDown! hasn't had a big money main event program in ages, but when you look at the roster, there is one to be had. Keep my past two articles in mind when you read this one. That means, for example, that in this column today, Mr. Kennedy is not the US Champ, he's in the SmackDown! Six Series. Another thing to remember is that I don't read spoilers, so if King Booker drops his belt to Batista this coming Friday Night, I won't know about it while I write this column.
Grab a Pepsi and some popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, without further ado; here is part three of Getting Over SmackDown!
Getting Over SmackDown Part Three!:
(I could be wrong about this, but I doubt that they are going to follow last weeks US title swap with the World Championship changing hands this week. That means I'm putting my money on Booker T retaining his title in some way shape or form. With that in mind, we skip ahead to the rematch at No Mercy.)
No Mercy 10/08 - In the main event for the No Mercy pay per view King Booker puts his title on the line against the Animal Batista. Due to the history of outside interference from Queen Sharmell and the Knights, Finlay and Regal, the entire Royal Court is barred from ringside! Booker starts the match off strong working at the previously injured arm of the Animal. Booker stays on top of the action for several minutes before Batista is finally able to rally for the come back. Batista uses an assortment of power maneuver that lead to several near falls. The ref takes a bump when Batista tosses the champ into the turnbuckle. Booker is able to slow Batista down, but not for long when he runs into a devastating spine buster! The referee is still down as Batista is asking the crowd, "thumbs up or down", he sets Booker up for the Batista Bomb when all of a sudden Batista collapses. Davari (writer's note: credit Andy Clark for the idea of adding Davari to the program!) had snuck in the ring and clipped the big man's knees. Davari goes to work on Batista with the King's scepter, giving Booker time to regain his composure. The ref starts to shake out the cobwebs when Booker nails the axe kick which is enough for the victory!
SmackDown! 10/13 - King Booker makes his way down to the ring with his wife chanting, "All hail King Booker!" Sharmell hands her husband the mic and he addresses the crowd, "Thank you, thank you, my loyal subjects. For those of you privileged enough to witness your imperial King's greatness this past Sunday, consider yourself lucky. His royal majesty will never again allow that peasant Batista the opportunity at my gold again. Yet another happening that transpired at No Mercy, was the initiation of a new member of my Royal Court…ladies and gentleman of my kingdom, please show your appreciation for, Davari!" Davari joins Booker in the ring, as Booker continues, "Davari is one of the few men in this business who have demonstrated the honor, the integrity and the loyalty to merit standing in this ring with your royal lordship. Davari, King Booker is offering you the position of Royal Ambassador of the Court! If you choose to accept, kneel down before your King in a show of respect!" Davari hesitates before smiling and dropping to a knee. Booker hands his microphone to his new Ambassador and begins to show himself off to the crowd by spinning around the ring as Davari screeches, "All HAIL KING BOOKER!"
Later in the night, William Regal is set to go one on one with the Animal Batista. Regal tries to tame the animal, but Batista is in a rage and uses his power to beat up on the Englishman. Davari runs down to ringside and starts an argument with the ref. While the ref's back it turned King Booker hammers Batista over the back of the head with his scepter. William Regal is able to take advantage, make the cover and pick up the win!
SmackDown! 10/20 - This weeks main event features the fighting Irishman vs. the Animal Batista. Finlay is able to use questionable, veteran tactic to gain the early control of the match. After a few minutes of this beating, Batista's is able to out power Finlay and gain the advantage. Everything is going Batista's way when Booker shows up and runs to the apron. The ref attempts to vacate Booker from the premises when Davari runs out, picks up Finlay's sheleilei, climbs to the top rope, leaps off nailing Batista between the eyes and allowing Finlay to score the pin fall!
SmackDown! 10/27 - Batista, Rey and Matt Hardy take on King Booker, Finlay and Regal with Davari in their corner in a six man tag match. The match goes for about thirteen minutes and it's the fun, high quality match you'd expect from these six participants. At this point, Regal low bridges Batista to the out side where the little bastard attacks him. While Batista is recovering from the midget beat down, Davari smacks the Animal with the sheleilei across the top of his head and rolls Batista in the ring. Booker is able to make the cover while Rey and Hardy are tied up with Finlay and Regal and picks up the win for his team. Teddy Long's music hits and he struts out to the ramp with a look of purpose on his face. "Now wait right there playas. Davari, I've had about enough of you playa, ya feel that! Week in and week out costing Batista matches in the name of King Booker! Well, next week on Friday Night SmackDown! you will reap the consequences of your actions, because it will be, Davari, taking on…Batista! Now believe dat playa!"
SmackDown! 11/03 - The time has come for Batista to gain a measure of revenge on the man that has been costing him matches, including the World Championship, for weeks now. Davari uses his impressive speed to land a few quick and unexpected offensive maneuvers. He goes for a cross body block, but Batista is able to catch him and it's all down hill from there for the Royal Ambassador. Batista throws Davari around the ring as if it were a contest in the World's Strongest Man competition! Batista is laughing as he out powers the man who has been making his life a living hell in recent weeks. Batista hits the Batista Bomb and is about to make the cover when he notices Finlay and Regal running down the ramp. Batista leaves the ring and meets them outside and begins to exchange blows. The ref is able to regain control and order Finlay and Regal to the back or he'll disqualify Davari! The Royal Court exit, but Finlay leaves his sheleilei on the steps. Booker comes out from the audience and grabs the sheleilei while the ref is still escorting the Royal Court to the back. Batista doesn't notice the presence of the Champ and sets Davari up for a second Batista Bomb. Booker slides in the ring and smashes the Animal in the back of the head with the sheleilei and rolls Davari on top for the pin and the HUGE upset!
SmackDown! 11/10 - Batista is out to vent, "I have to get some things off my chest. I'll be honest with all of you, I've been walking around pretty pissed off lately and it's been making life miserable for everyone around me. Hell, I threw my TV out the window the other day when the Wizard of Oz came on because the munchkins reminded me of that little bastard, which reminded me of the Royal Court. Let me address the members of the so called, Royal Court. First there is Queen Sharmell, now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind showing her what an Animal can do some night, but she's not the kind of girl I'd let stay till the morning if you know what I mean. Next up are the Knights, William Regal and Finlay. I wish these guys would stick their heads a little further up Booker's ass, that way we wouldn't be forced to look at their disgusting faces! Then there is Davari. I'll make this your official warning kid, you don't want to play with a caged Animal, or you will get bit! Keep messing with me and next time you go to the airport, security will find my boot up your ass! And that bring us to King Booker. Book, you know you can't beat me one on one. You know you're just holding the title I never lost. You know it, and you know your time as champion is running out. Enjoy it Book, enjoy having three grown men from around the world kiss your ass. Enjoy it Book, enjoy the crown, enjoy the throne, enjoy the robe, enjoy my belt, because soon, the animal is going to strike and when I strike, I strike to kill!" Teddy Long joins Batista in the ring to make an announcement, "Survivor Series is just around the corner playas. And your General Manager has an idea that is not only exciting, but it keeps in line of the great tradition of Survivor Series. In a traditional Survivor Series, Elimination style match, It will be World Champ King Booker, his royal ambassador Davari, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Cruiser Weight Champion Chavo Guerrero taking on, United States Champ Matt Hardy, Jimmy Wayne Yang, The Animal Batista and a mystery partner! Holla, Holla, Holla! "
SmackDown! 11/17 - In the opening bout of the night Davari and Jimmy Wayne Yang have a fast and furious match up. It is unclear if either man is capable of pinning the other, until Sharmell gets involved and helps Davari win the match.
Later on Batista and Hardy team up to challenge the team of King Booker and MVP. Throughout the match, Michael Cole and JBL go back and forth speculating on who the mystery partner in SmackDown!'s main event at Survivor Series will be. Booker and MVP do a good job of isolating the smaller Matt Hardy. Eventually Hardy is able to fight his way to his corner to make the hot tag to the Animal. Batista clears house and regains momentum for his team. He beats down Booker and tags Hardy back in the match. Hardy is in control when Booker, out of nowhere, hits him with the Bookend and picks up the victory before Batista can make the save!
SmackDown! 11/24 - The show opens with a US title match between champion Matt Hardy and challenger MVP. Matt Hardy controls the action for the majority of that match. MVP is able to get himself back in the match and the two great athletes go back and forth for twenty minutes before MVP hits a spinning back kick to the face of Hardy knocking him out cold. MVP makes the cover and is the new US Champ!
Later on in the show, it's Batista and Jimmy Wayne Yang vs. King Booker and Davari. Booker and Davari show great team work and never allow Yang to get the tag, as JBL and Cole continue to hypothesize on who the mystery partner could be. The heels use great double team work to keep Yang down. Davari runs around the ring over to Batista and slaps the Animal. Batista is infuriated and chases Davari around the ring. Meanwhile, Booker nails the axe kick on Yang and picks up the win!
Survivor Series 11/26 - Throughout all the previous SmackDown! matches earlier on the card, Cole and JBL questioned just who was the mystery partner. King Booker's team is announced all at once as they follow Booker into the ring. Hardy is first out for his team, followed next by Jimmy Wayne Yang. Batista's music fills the arena and the crowd goes crazy. He does his machine gun pyro and walks all the way onto the apron. He looks at all the members of the opposing team, smile and turns his head to the entrance way. The lights go out and a gong sounds. The crowd loses control as torches light up and the Undertaker leisurely makes his way to the ring. Looks of intimidation fill the faces of Booker and his teammates. The match goes on for eleven minutes before anyone is eliminated. The first elimination comes when MVP is able to pin Jimmy Wayne Yang. The eliminations come one after another after that as Chavo is pinned by Batista, then Matt Hardy pins MVP, to which King Booker wastes no time. Before Hardy is even able to stand, Booker nails him with an axe kick eliminating the Hardy boy. This leaves King Booker and his Royal Ambassador, Davari on one side, with only the Animal and the Dead Man on the other. It's another five minutes before Undertaker delivers the tombstone to Davari, leaving Booker out numbered. Booker fights valiantly but the odds turn out to be too much and he falls victim to a Batista Bomb, leaving Batista and Undertaker and the survivors. The two fan favorites raise each other's arms in victory as the crowd cheers them on!
SmackDown! 12/01 - Batista starts off the show with a bang making his way down to the ring and calling out Booker demanding a title match for tonight! King Booker's music hits and he appears on the ramp way. He tells Batista that's he's said it before and he'll say it again, Batista, you will never get another shot at the King of the World! That comment brings Teddy Long out to put in his two cents. Teddy says that Batista has earned a rematch and not only will the match be tonight, it will happen right now! The match is only a few minutes in when the Royal Court deliberately get Booker DQed, but at the same time save the championship.
SmackDown! 12/08 - Teddy Long is already in the ring and he announces that the main event for Armageddon will be King Booker taking on Batista, but this time if there is ANY outside interference Booker will forfeit the championship! This doesn't sit well with Booker, who comes down to argue with the GM. Booker is in Teddy's face when Batista runs out and begins to brawl all over the arena with the champ.
SmackDown! 12/15 - Once again, Teddy Long is in the ring with an announcement to make, "Due to the incident last Friday night, not only is the Royal Court be barred from the main event at Armageddon, but the match will also be a Falls Count Anywhere Match! Holla, Holla, Holla!" Again this leads Booker to come out and complain. It's not long before Batista is once again racing out to get a piece of the King. He gets half way to the ring when he is cut off by the Royal Court who had been hiding the whole time. Booker joins in the beat down, but stops when Sharmell hands him a mic, "Batista, you rogue, everyone knows that a king good always has a battle plan and you, you dumb animal, just fell right into my trap! At Armageddon, the Batista empire falls and I shall rein supreme as King of the World!"
Armageddon 12/17 - In the main event it's Batista challenging for the World Championship against King Booker in a Falls Count Anywhere Match, with all outside interference barred. It doesn't take long before the war spills out to the outside with both men using every weapon they can get their hands on. Booker takes advantage in the match and ruthlessly attacks the wounded animal. Batista is gushing blood after a stiff shot from a steel chair. Booker rolls Batista back into the ring and continues the attack. He sets Batista up for a big clothesline and run towards him, but Batista ducks and backdrops Booker over the top rope and to the floor. Batista is still too damaged to take advantage of this opportunity so Booker is back on the attack on the outside. He picks up a chair, backs up to get room, runs at Batista, but is picked up and spine bustered through the announce table! The ref only gets two before the King is able to kick out! Batista and Booker both gradually get to their feet but Batista has a chair in his hands, which he slams into King Booker's gut and then Batista Bombs him onto the concrete floor! That's enough to keep the champs shoulders down for a three count! Batista rolls back in the ring to celebrate but is quickly attacked by Finlay, Regal and Davari. The three members of the Royal Court beat down the new champion as the lights go out and the Undertaker's music hits. The ring clears before Taker even throws a punch. Taker stares at Batista as he struggles to his feet, as we go off the air.
SmackDown! 12/22 - Sharmell and Davari are in the ring with King Booker when the show starts and he is already addressing the crowd, "A good king is only as good as his followers. My followers, the Royal Court have let their imperial majesty down time and time again. Now, King Booker is all knowing, I know that Finlay and Regal are currently waging wars in the SmackDown! Six Series, but their loyalty should always be first to their king, and their treason has led to me having no other course of action, than to excommunicate them from my kingdom!" He turns his attention to Davari, "Now Davari, King Booker is an understanding ruler. I shall give you a chance to redeem yourself in the eyes of your lord. I shall demote you from Royal Ambassador of the Court, to Court Jester. If you accept this new role and perform to my expectations, I shall consider elevating you back to your old position in the future. But that's not all. There is one more penance you must pay for my forgiveness. Bow down before your king and kiss my royal toes! You do that and I will allow you to continue your stay in my kingdom." Davari hesitates; he walks around the ring and stops in front of Booker. The King doesn't appreciate the fact that Davari even has to consider the situation, so he slaps him across the face and demands that he kiss his toes once again. Davari shakes his head so Booker repeatedly rams his scepter into Davari's ribs. Davari is obviously in critical condition, but Booker doesn't stop. Batista runs out to interrupt the execution. He tends to Davari as we cut to commercial.
SmackDown! 12/29 - Early in the show, King Booker is in the ring issuing a warning to Batista, "Batista, tonight, King Booker has found a suitable opponent for you. An opponent fit for a King. Batista, tonight I am the judge and jury, and I have convicted you of crimes of violence towards your king. But Batista, you won't find out who your executioner is until the match starts!"
Batista is in the ring ready for his non title match and awaiting his mystery opponent. King Booker comes out with MVP by his side! Booker joins Michael Cole and JBL at the announce booth for the match. MVP holds his own with Batista for eight minutes when MVP starts complaining to the ref about his counterpart. While he is conversating with the ref, Booker destroys Batista with his scepter knocking him out cold. MVP runs over and makes the cover. The ref looks confused, but didn't see what had transpired, so he is forced to make the count and MVP wins the match. Booker and MVP go for the beat down, but the Undertaker rushes out to make the save and clear the ring.
SmackDown! 1/05 - Teddy Long stops Booker in the back to inform him that what he did to Davari will keep the former Court member out of action indefinitely. He tells the king he's disgusted by his actions and because of that, if King Booker wants his automatic title rematch, it has to be tonight!
Batista and King Booker are circling around each other to start the match. They put on a back and forth match for fourteen minutes when MVP tries to interfere. The moment MVP attempts to change the course of the match, the Undertaker comes down and fights MVP to the back. Batista takes advantage of the distraction and hits a spine buster followed by a Batista Bomb to retain his title!
SmackDown! 1/12 - King Booker and MVP make their way down to the ring. Booker grabs a mic and is about to address the crowd when Teddy Long cuts them off and informs them that the SmackDown! Main event at Royal Rumble will feature King Booker and his partner MVP taking on Batista and his partner, the Undertaker!
SmackDown! 1/19 - A Highlight package is shown illustrating the long and storied history between Batista and Booker, going all the way back to before Summer Slam! The camera then shows MVP, who was watching the footage in Teddy Long's office and Long informs him that next week he will face the Undertaker!
SmackDown! 1/26 - Cole and JBL hype the match of, Undertaker w/ Batista vs. MVP w/ King Booker throughout the show. MVP starts off strong, but eventually makes a mistake allowing the veteran Taker to take control. After eight minutes, Undertaker hits a choke slam and makes the throat slash to call for Tombstone. Just then, Booker jumps in the ring. Batista cuts him off and a big melee ensues, with the brawl continuing as we fade off the air.
Royal Rumble 1/28 - SmackDown's main event of Batista and Undertaker vs. King Booker and MVP actually opens the ppv. Neither team is able to gain a consistent advantage for tem minutes. Finally, MVP and Booker start using great tag team strategy and have Batista isolated and hurt. Batista is able to hit a spine buster on MVP and make the tag to Taker. Taker goes nuts on the heels. Batista gets up and Batista Bombs the interfering King, as Undertaker hit MVP with a Tombstone and the win!
SmackDown! 2/02 - Teddy Long is out and has an announcement to make, "No Way Out is the last ppv before Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit. As General Manager of SmackDown!, I need to provide the SmackDown! fans with the best Wrestlemania main event possible. Well, I've been giving it a lot of thought and I've come up with only one solution. At No Way Out, there will be a Triple Threat Main Event! It will be, The World Champion Batista, vs. King Booker, vs…The Undertaker!"
SmackDown! 2/09 - Booker T takes on the Undertaker one on one in the main event. The match isn't far in when MVP comes down and distracts Taker, allowing Booker to hit him in the back with a chair. The ref throws out the match as MVP and Booker continue to work over the Dead Man. Batista runs out and makes the save, returning the favor that Undertaker had done so many times before.
SmackDown! 2/16 - This week it's King Booker taking on Batista. Once again the match doesn't go long before MVP comes out. But this time he is followed closely by Taker. MVP hits the ring and goes to attack Batista, but Taker catches him from behind. It's a four way brawl with Taker and Batista throwing the heels out of the ring to end the show.
No Way Out 2/18 - It's a great triple threat match as all three men pull out all the stops, holding nothing back in quest to win the championship. At the eighteen minute mark, Undertaker is outside the ring, recovering from a double suplex through the announce table. The King hits the bookend on the champ. Batista is able to kick out, but not able to get to his feet. Booker climbs the rope, leaps in the air and lands the Harlem Hangover! Batista has nothing left, but at the count of two, Undertaker breaks up the pin. Booker and Taker go toe to toe, but Taker's punches are too much. Undertaker hits old school on the King, followed by a choke slam and finally a Tombstone. When Taker turns around to make the cover, Batista kicks him in the gut and Batista Bombs the Dead Man. Batista covers Booker, one, two, Undertaker sits up, but it's not it time before the ref counts three on Booker and Batista retains his title!
SmackDown! 2/23 - Teddy Long is in the ring to start the show. He calls out the champion Batista. Teddy brags about having an idea for the biggest Wrestlemania Main Event in SmackDown! history. Teddy exits the ring, leaving Batista wondering who his Mania opponent will be. Just then, the lights go out for a moment. When they come back on, the Undertaker is in the ring face to face with Batista as we cut to commercial.
SmackDown! 3/02 - In a tag team main event, Batista and Undertaker team up against King Booker and MVP in a rematch of the Royal Rumble. The heels put up a good fight, and once again show great team work, but the team of the World Champ and the Undertaker proves to be too much as the men who will face each other at Wrestlemania get the win!
SmackDown! 3/09 - Wrestlemania 23 SmackDown! Main Event Contract Signing! Batista and Undertaker exchange words of respect, and both sign the contract. They stand up and shake hands. Undertaker goes to walk away, but Batista, who still has a hold of Taker's hand pulls Undertaker back in and delivers a devastating spine buster! The crowd is silenced by what they've seen. Batista's face scans the crowd with a look of disdain. He picks up the Dead Man and slams him through the table with a powerful Batista Bomb to end the show!
SmackDown! 3/16 - Batista is in the ring and he's all business, "Let me introduce myself. I am the Animal Batista. I am a two time World Champion. I am the man who shocked the world last week by handing the Undertaker his ass! Now, that's who I am, let me tell you, who I'm not. I am not a dumb jock! People have used the phrase, million dollar body, ten cent brain when referring to me, while those people underestimate my intelligence. Think back to when I won the Royal Rumble a couple years ago and then went on to beat Triple H at the main event of Wrestlemania 21. I planned that all along. Hunter thought he was playing games with me, but it was all a plan, same thing here. Undertaker thought we were buddy-buddy, well; let me tell you something, I have no buddies in this business. And I say business because to me, that's exactly what it is, all business. Taker, I've been playing you since day one and frankly, it was easier than I expected. The plan reaches it's payoff in Detroit. At Wrestlemania 23, I will prove to the world that I am the best big man this business has ever seen. Taker, it's nothing personal my man, it's just business. You have a legacy, undefeated at Wrestlemania, while that ends on April Fools Day this year. The streak ends, the plan ends, your career ends, but the Animal remains king of the forest!"
SmackDown! 3/23 - When we come back from out first commercial, the Undertaker appears on the Titontron, all we see is his face and he suddenly opens his eyes, "Batista, boy, you've still got a lot to learn. When the prince of darkness offers you his hand and allows you to travel to the gates of hell at reign with him, you enjoy the ride, you don't stab him in the back." Undertaker's face is still showing in the Titontron, as he walks through the entrance way and methodically makes his way down to the ring, "Now instead of traveling together, I am forced to throw you into hell against your will and with extreme prejudice. Many have tried in the past, and they have all failed. It may be true that you're better than all those who have come before you, but the fact is, you can't kill what isn't alive. At Wrestlemania, Batista, you will go from champion, to just another number in my record book. Batista, may you Rest in Peace!" The lights dim for a moment and when they come back on the ring is empty.
SmackDown! 3/30 - At the final show before the granddaddy of them all, Batista and Finlay take on Taker and Rey. Cole and JBL remind the audience that Finlay and Rey will represent SmakcDown! In the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Mania while Batista will defend his title against Undertaker in the main event. As the match progresses, Taker and Batista never happen to be the legal men at the same time. After a nineteen minute back and forth tag match, Rey picks up the pin on Finlay. Taker and Batista don't seem to care about the outcome as they slowly walk towards each other, meeting in the center in the ring. They have a long stare down as we go off the air.
Wrestlemania 23 4/01 - It's time for SmackDown!'s main event! For the first time ever, Batista vs. Undertaker one on one for the World Championship! Undertaker comes out strong dominating the early portion of the match. He goes up the "old school" but Batista is able to use the leverage he now has to get Taker into a press slam position and throws the Dead Man to the mat. Batista takes a second to catch his breath and then goes on the attack. Batista dominates the Phenom with power move after power move. Its nine minutes into the match when Batista slams Taker to the mat with a devastating Batista Bomb! Undertaker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak appears to be over as Batista hooks his legs for the cover. The ref's hand hits the canvas once, twice, noooo, taker gets a shoulder up! Batista is stunned, he stands up and looks around the crowd in amazement. Undertaker sits up! Batista starts to kick Taker but it has no effect. Taker lets his soup bones fly and has Batista spaghetti legged when he runs into the ropes and lands a flying clothesline on the Animal. Batista struggles to his feet only to get goozeled. Taker picks Batista up by the neck and slams him to the mat with a choke slam from hell. Undertaker thinks he has the championship won, but Batista kicks out! Undertake doesn't hesitate, puts Batista's head between his legs flips him up, and lifts him above his head and sends him falling for a last ride! But again, Batista is able to get a shoulder up! Undertaker knows there is only one thing left to do and when he makes the throat slash sign, the crowd knows what's coming too. Taker picks Batista up, only to drop him down forcefully with a tombstone! The crowd goes wild as the ref makes the count, one, two, thr…no, Batista again kicks out! Undertaker doesn't know what to do, he goes to pick Batista back up, but the Animal fights back. The two giants exchange punches and Taker bounces off the ropes only to get caught with a spine buster. Batista bends down to pick Taker up, but the Undertake grabs the Animal's arm and wraps his legs around Batista's neck, locking in the triangle choke! Batista fights it with all his might, but all the struggling is only making things worse for the Animal as he falls to the mat. The ref lifts his arm up once and it falls. The crowd yells out a loud, "ONE." Batista's arm falls a second time, "TWO" screams the crowd. The ref pauses a moment then raises Batista's arm, lets it go and it falls, seemingly frame by frame, landing with a thud on the canvas and the crows exclaims, "THREE!" Undertaker releases the hold and Celebrates as NEW WORLD CHAMPION!
Over the Top:
So what does this accomplish? We get to see a long, intriguing program between Batista and Booker T, that's a positive. Booker holds the belt until December, that's a definite positive. Then we get the biggest money feud on the current SmackDown! roster in Batista vs. Undertaker. Plus it would give Batista a fresh character, one that I believe he could play perfectly. And who wouldn't mark out for the Wrestlemania moment I described?
There is a lot of time between Mania and Judgment Day, and I know some of you will hate this idea, but I think Undertaker should drop the belt on a SmackDown! about a month or so after he won it, back to Batista. Because of the SmackDown! Six Series, Kennedy (at this point, a face) has a title shot at the next SmackDown! ppv and this would be the perfect time for him and Batista to start a long main event program. That would also allow for the Undertaker to take some time off and recharge his battery, for another big feud.
While all this is going on there are still two belts I didn't dive into in full detail. First, I envision the cruiser weight belt (which I had Helms drop to Jimmy Wayne Yang) being fought over by Yang and Chavo following his feud with Rey. The title should change hands a couple times to prolong the feud. Eventually the Miz could get involved.
The US Title (which was dropped to Matt Hardy to free up Finlay for the SmackDown! Six Series) will be feuded over by Hardy and MVP. When Paul Birchall returns, he'll start a program with MVP for the belt. Eventually, when Booker falls out of the main event scene, he'll enter the US Title division.
With both of those belts kept in the forefront, the rebuilding of the tag division, the SmackDown! Six Series and a Big Money main event program, SmackDown! could easily be the second A show. And it can be done with out adding anyone from the Raw or ECW rosters. All the pieces are in there, they just need to be put in place.
Over There:
SmackDown!
- SmackDown! offered us a couple of great matches this week. First up was Matt Hardy vs. Gregory Helms. Not only was their match well done, but the crowd was hot for it from start to finish, which is a great sign of things to come. I don't know it the cruiser weight belt will be involved in the feud or no, but what I do know is that, if they are going to put on more performances like the one this past Friday, then I'm ready for a long program between the two!
- The second great match of the night was the triple threat. I was already excited about watching Finlay and Kennedy going at it over the US title, but adding Lashley into the mix made it even better! The match delivered everything you could expect from the three. To top it off, I wasn't expecting the title switch, so for me at least, there was a surprise ending. This is just the beginning for Mr. Kennedy, get used to seeing Kennedy with gold around his waist!
- I have to comment on the Miz and his debut. If you read my first column, you'll know I'm a fan of the Miz. I love his character. The heel who thinks he's a face. Every time he hit a move in the match he gloated around the ring, drawing heat from the crowd, he already has the character down pat, and will only get better as time goes on. As he learns more offensive moves, expect big things from the former reality star!
Raw
- The focus in raw was to building the upcoming Unforgiven pay-per-view and it was a good build. The Umaga/Kane story was pushed along another step, and it was probably the weakest ppv building segment on a show full of them. Having a dq finish for the Intercontinental championship match was a smart move. This not only builds sympathy for Jeff Hardy, but raises the question, can Nitro beat Jeff? The McMahons an Big Show cut a nice promo further progressing their storyline and gave us a Raw without DX this week, which was good for a couple of reasons. First, Raw has been saturated with DX since its revival, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but overexposure is always a dangerously fine line. With DX main eventing on ECW this past week, it was a nice break to have a show without the Heart Break Kid and the King of Kings. Second, it gave time for the show to build around its main event six man tag. The show was centered around not only building to the ppv, but also for setting up this match, which in and of itself did a great build up for Unforgiven. Not only did it advance three of the advertised seven matches for the card but it made perfect sense. Randy Orton is feuding with Carlito, who's "girlfriend", Trish, is having issues with Lita, whose boyfriend, Edge, who has been battling it out over the WWE Championship with John Cena for quite some time now. Then to top it all off it was a fun match with a hot crowd. So, when Raw went off the air, not only was I more pumped about a ppv that I was already excited about, but I also was left feeling entertained by the pervious two hours, which is the goal of creative, well done team!
- I bet people are going to be bitching left and right about who offensive the Cryme Tyme skit was. Honestly, I found it incredibly humorous! Personally, I don't have anything against stereotypes, I think they are based (notice I said BASED) on truths for the most part and are frankly, amusing. I'm already looking forward to the début of this big tag team with a built-in character!
ECW
- What a great way to kick off the show this week! That was a hell of an Extreme Rules tag match! My hat goes off to all four guys...YES, you did just hear me give the hated Rob Van Dam a compliment, I told you I'll always give credit where I feel it's deserved.
- Matt Striker is a PERFECT heel for the new ECW! His personality and character are going to lead to huge heel heat and he can go in the ring. But the best part of Striker is his promos, constant gold! As much as I love Carlito, I'm going out on a limb here and saying that Striker's promo skills are not only above my beloved Carlito, but in the same league as JBL! Yeah, that's right I said it!
- Speaking of the opening match and Matt Striker, how both were used on the show is a good sign of what is to come. I've been enjoying the New Breed vs. ECW Original storyline that has been methodically developing since ECW rebirth, but even I'll admit they needed to freshen it up and they've done exactly that! Test and Knox DIDN'T wrestle Sandman and Dreamer, in fact Sandman has moved on to a feud with Striker. Hardcore holly comes in and start battling RVD, Balls Mahoney and Kevin Thorn are about to embark on a program, of course you have the ongoing Big Show/Sabu conflict, throw in Heyman's Personal Security (Basham Brothers) and this has the making of something special!
Over My Head:
I do this column for the feedback and I apologize for not having time to share some of the e-mails I received about the SmackDown! Six Series last week, so this week I'll do a couple from each of the last two columns.
First up is Daniel, who noticed how much "behind the scenes" work I put into the column. "Firstly, well done on working all that out correctly, that must've taken ages.
However, I don't like the idea of a tournament taking 6 months. It could easily be shortened if they 6 guys only wrestled each other once, in singles action. If there was 1 tournament match per show, it would take up 15 weeks. If you start the tournament at Survivor Series instead, the winner could have his title shot at WrestleMania instead, making the tournament more important.(Obviously, the title shot at Mania wouldn't be announced until after Royal Rumble)
I do have a few other worries about this idea, such as what does the new US Champ, Matt Hardy do while this going on? He would be a better fit in this tournament instead of Helms.
I do love the idea of tournament of this style and it could really help some guys out, but for it to worked it has to be executed perfectly and all other effects thought of.
I won't totally shit on this or say it's the best idea ever until I've seen the rest of your plan for Smackdown, because it could all work together perfectly, so I'll wait and see." ,
Daniel, I hope that you've now read all three parts and are satisfied with what I did!
Next up we have Cody who had a similar problem. "I have mix feelings about the Smackdown Six Series and here's why. Well the idea is great as I think it can help Smackdown a lot. The reason I dont know if it would work is because they almost have the six guys wrestling each other for half the year which would kinda get old but with the likes of Finlay, Lashley, Mysterio, Kennedy in it, it can be pretty good. But besides that though, I would not put Gregory Helms in it. Since Chris Benoit should be back by No Mercy, he would be a good fit because then we will have great matches the likes of, Chris Benoit against Finlay, Benoit against Mysterio, Benoit against Regal. Also I still would make Mr. Kennedy and Bobby Lashley the last two and wrestle at Wrestlemaina. Mr. Kennedy, I think is a great star for the future and this can really help him to become the next big thing.
I see that next week is how you would fix the Smackdown Tag Scene, and I can't wait for that as I already have an idea on how I would do it. I will tell you about it next week. Keep them coming!!!!!
Those were the only two e-mails I got that weren't 100% behind the idea. So the problem to Daniel and Cody was the duration. I can understand how a half of a year in the same program would be a bit long from some fan, but it has to be kept in mind, that it's not the same match over and over for six months. There are six very talented and entertaining SuperStars involved in the series and they only face each opponent twice. With the addition of the tag matches, the six man tag and the special ppv matches, I feel there is a good combination and balance to keep it from going stale. I'll agree that two guys going at each other week in and week out for six months straight would get old, but with these six entertainers, the combinations would be gold. Also, what I essentially did was set up a regular season followed by a play-off. In order to pull such a thing off credibly it has to span a long period of time.
On to the tag team column! Rams1450 had a great idea I didn't think of to build the tag team division. "I like the booking of the teams, only I wouldn't put Benoit in a tag team, I'd have him in the US title scene. An upper midcard guy who is good at being heel and face is really needed for singles right now on SD.
To add star power to the tag ranks, I'd instead move Jeff Hardy over to SD for a reunion with Matt. Given that two of the four sd teams are small, fast cruisers, the Hardyz would fit in great. And if people don't want their run to be pure nostalgia, have them be bitter heels, Matt could cut promos about London and Kendrick being cheap knockoffs.
Another possibility would be to have Finlay and Regal go for the tag belts. Given that they are involved in main event tags already, one could argue they are already the top tag team on SD. Of course with Finlay having the US belt, maybe he and Benoit (and maybe Turkay) could be involved in both scenes. By intertwining the tag and US title scenes (stips like title vs. title shot could work), the cruiser belt could benefit from the added available tv time.
And finally for this week's Over My Head, Scary Larry wrote in with this to say. "That is just good booking. I think the teams are there, but WWE needs to get behind the scene. And they must refrain from jobbing the champs, like they regularly do on RAW. Adding Benoit to the program is a great idea, as it will add credibility to the titles, but I suspect there are plans to put him back in the main event. The only thing I would add here is some sort of big drama or story beyond the titles themselves. Something epic, to really get the division over. Give the characters some character.
I am looking forward to Part 3. If you are planning on keeping the title on King Booker until next spring, then I think it is a fantastic idea. The guy is as over as anyone and far from tired. He could eventually lose the King gimmick to keep him fresh, but there is no reason he should not have a JBLesque run. Have him go over Batista in questionable fashion, let him feud w/ Lashley and Benoit a bit, and set up a huge main event at Mania.
Sorry Scary Larry, I know you wanted Booker in the main event for Mania, but I just thought Batista vs. Undertaker was a much bigger money match.
Thanks to all who wrote in. Just because I don't publish your e-mail doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. All those who have written in to me in the past know that I take the time to answer each of them back individual. Seriously guys, I do this column just to get the feedback and talk wrestling, so keep it coming!
Over and Out:
Now that you've read the best, I hope you left time for the rest! I'm just kidding, if you're still hungry for more wrestling reading, here are some columns I especially enjoyed this week.
Be sure to show some love to my fellow fighters in the positivity battle JP and JT and their Hidden Highlights!
If sports entertainment debate is your thing, the Triple Threat boys have what you're looking for!
You may have read my ideas on how to Get Over the Spirit Squad break up, but for a different take, check out the Fink's Payload!
For the history buff out there, check out Ronny Sarnecky as he looks at the WWE in 2000!
If you're still missing Kurt Angle, Julian Williams has your fix in his Top Ten!
And of course, be sure to check out Larry and Geoff in the 3 R's tomorrow!
So that was how I'd get SmackDown! over on equal footing as Raw. It was a long journey, do you think I took us to the promise land, or did I fall short of the destination? Let me know. I live for the feedback guys, so let me have it, good, bad or indifferent, I want to know what you think. I make sure to answer everyone who takes the time to e-mail me, so don't hold back, let me know your opinions on the column, what you would do with SmackDown!, and I'm always looking for ideas on who to Get Over in the future. Also, if you just get bored and want to talk wrestling, feel free to get a hold of me on AIM, my sn is LafavioHeat. I look forward to hearing from you. That's all for now, so join me next week when I Get Over the debut of Harry Smith (Davey Boy's son), until then, over and out!
