The Smackdown Summary 5.05.06
Posted by Rik Bone on 05.05.2006
Main Eventers Needed: Apply Within
Last week Lashley ousted Henry in the King of the Ring - his next round opponent will be determined tonight as Finlay faces Benoit. Also last week, Henry spoiled a decent World Heavyweight Title match when he SQUASHED Angle against the ringpost. Since Smackdown, we've learnt that Angle has been sidelined due to injury and it'll be US Champ vs. World Champ at Judgement Day. What will happen on Smackdown? We're about to find out...
Welcome to the SMACKDOWN SUMMARY!!!
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Smackdown: 5th May 2006
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Team Blue welcome us to another edition of Smackdown. It's impossible to be as hyped as Michael Cole.
Tonight, the Tag Team Champions MNM face the Hooligans and Finlay faces Benoit. Woohoo - two decent matches signed and announced.
Rey Mysterio comes out to an "Eddie" chant to start the show and he's got a mike. Mysterio is obviously known for his mike skills. He runs us through last weeks events, saying that he was just about to tap until... JBL's music hits and JBL comes out limo-less. JBL calls himself a Wrestling God and says that at Judgement Day, he's the #1 Contender for Rey's title. JBL calls Rey a masked illegal immigrant. JBL says there's a place in his America for illegal immigrants. Yep, JBL's "going there". The fans chant "Eddie" and so JBL says that Eddie was a champ that he beat - and the fans either chant "JBL" or "Eddie" - they never chant "Rey". Apparently JBL's place for guys like Rey is the gutter, or doing jobs like trash-picking, toilet-cleaning - you get the jist.
JBL says that Rey got the title due to the sympathy vote - and that when he beats Rey, he'll have even more in common with Rey, as he'll have taken titles off both of them. Rey interupts saying he'll fight anyone, anytime. JBL takes advantage of this, and introduces Mark Henry as Rey's opponent. Cole puts over the fact that Henry has taken out Batista and Angle - so what could he do to Rey? Henry gets in the ring and stares down at Rey, and we go into a break. Quite an anti-climax there. Rey could have atleast tried to blindside JBL, nailed Henry and ran. Instead, JBL and Henry just stare at Rey whilst all three men are in the ring together. What happened to JBL's killer instinct? Meh...
Back from the break, we get another recap of Benoit vs. Finlay. "It's gonna be physical", says Cole. Anyone else think that in his spare time Cole could well prance around singing "Let's Get Physical" in some spandex shorts? I do.
Match 1 - Gunner Scott vs. Booker T
Stipulation: None
Sharmell comes out to introduce Booker T. Cole states Kurt Angle is unable to wrestle, and so Booker T is in the final of the King Of The Ring Tournament. Booker looks and plays with the King Of The Ring setup props. The former OVW Champion Brent AlbrightGunnar Scott - who is now a "Chris Benoit protege", apparently - is out to try and go 2-0 over Booker T.
After a few lockups, Booker gets the advantage, before he's shoved down. Again they lockup, with Gunnar showing his technical skills. Booker starts to use his experience to take the upper hand and controls the match. After a long sleeper, Scott starts building up his momentum, and hits a Benoit-esq running forearm and some suplexes. I pause to think about a Benoit/Scott "feud". Should be a nice technical fight if anything. Whilst daydreaming, I miss Booker taking the advantage. Scott reverses one move into a reverse waistlock and tries his jacknife pin, which only gets two this match. Moments later, Sharmell distracts Scott long enough to walk into a side shuffle kick. Booker then hits the scissors kick. This one is over.
Note: listen out for a Typical Coleism during this match: "This is Gunnar's second match on Smackdown - his third if you count last week". Why shouldn't we count last week's match? *Shakes head*
Winner: Booker T via pinfall after the Scissors Kick at around 5:30.
Booker gets on the announce table and the mike, saying that he's disappointed Kurt's injured - as he'd have beaten Kurt as well. He says he could beat Finlay or Benoit with one hand tied behind his back... Booker obviously forgets Lashley is still in this thing. He gets all his "subjects" to "all hail King Booker".
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Cole says that there are rumours that at Judgement Day it will be Jillian Hall vs. Melina
Match 2 - MNM vs. The Hooligans (Paul London & Brian Kendrick)
Stipulation: WWE Tag Team Titles
The Hooligans make their normal running entrance complete with backflips off the 'buckles. The carpet rolls out, but Melina is alone. Nitro and Mercury come through the crowd to attack Kendrick and London with their titles. MNM mount the contenders and pummel them into oblivion. Melina orders the Snapshot, and Kendrick tastes it first, followed by London. MNM celebrate. Kendrick starts to stir, so he gets another Snapshot courtesy of Melina's orders. I suppose that makes it Hooligans 4-1 MNM.
Winner: No Contest
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We're shown some footage of the rebirth of Tatanka. I have *no* idea where this is going or what's they're trying to achieve. It's kind of educational - but to be brutally honest, I don't give a crap about it.
T'Lo is here talking to Daivari. Khali shows up, and Long says that The Undertaker has challenged him to a match at Judgement Day. Khali yells. Khali grabs the contract and signs it. It's official: Undertaker vs. Khali at the PPV.
Match 3 - Chris Benoit vs. Finlay
Stipulation: King of the Ring First Round Match
Finlay comes out first, and looks at the King Of The Ring props. We then have a Chris Benoit vignette before the man himself comes out.
The match starts with a test of strength, with Cole putting over the tournament AGAIN, and AGAIN says that big names have come out of the tournament as winners, like Hart and Austin. Which Hart? Owen, perhaps?! I mark for Owen Hart namedrops. Benoit and Finlay exchange wristlocks, before Benoit takes him down, and turns it into a headlock. Finlay rolls through for a two, and we're in for a great technical match.
I swear to God that the only reason Chris Benoit isn't on Raw anymore is because he's playing Jack Bauer on 24 on Monday Nights. The resemblence is uncanny. Benoit, meanwhile is now working on Finlay's leg - maybe opting for a Sharpshooter finish than a Crossface finish. Finlay is still working on Benoit's arm. The match is very to and fro - I love it!
Benoit gets thrown into the ringpost shoulder first, and from then on Finlay controls the match. Benoit has a brief comeback and attempts the Sharpshooter, but Finlay is soon back in control. Benoit starts to bleed from the forehead and Finlay takes advantage of it. Benoit starts making his super comeback at about the ten minute mark, but Finlay then throws a few chairs into the ring (the second one missed). Cole says that Finlay's lost control which leads us nicely into a break!
We're back on Finlay is getting a MEGACHOP by Benoit. Benoit is now back in control - and we get a clip of how. Benoit kicked Finlay off the apron, and Finlay landed face first on the steps. We get confirmation in the match that the King Of The Ring Final will be at Judgement Day. Finlay gets a lucky break and puts on a Sleeper (about three times). Benoit regains the upper hand when Finlay misses a charge in the corner, and connects with the ringpost. Benoit hits three German Suplexes, but misses his Swandive Headbutt. Finlay creates a distraction, and is able to use one of the chairs that he threw around earlier to hit Benot in the throat. Finlay then hits his Emerald Fusion move to get the victory.
Winner: Finlay via pinfall in an epic 22:30 match.
Next week: Finlay vs. Lashley - the feud returns!
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Match 4 - Gymini vs. Scotty 2 Hotty & Funaki
Stipulation: None
What are the names of the Gymini? More to the point, does anybody care? Tazz tries to point out the differences between the two. Fans of Velocity will have already seen this match about 5 times this year, and no doubt we're in for another classic tonight. I'll end the sarcasm here.
The Basham Brothers 2006 gain the upperhand due to some "behind the ref" tactics. They pick on Funaki, who is massively overpowered. Surprisingly, Simon Dean is very quick on the outside. Funaki gets a lucky break and a tag to Scotty, but Scotty also gets overpowered. Gymini hit the "Crash Diet", which is basically a two man version of the High Spirits. This match is over.
Winner: Gymini via pinfall in the longest five minutes of my life.
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See No Evil plug.
Lashley is backstage - he enters Booker T's lockeroom, where Booker T and Sharmell are getting changed. He points out that Booker T forgot to mention Lashley's name earlier tonight. Booker says Lashley is no match for Booker T. Booker says Lashley won't get past Finlay. Lashley says he'll beat Finlay, and then he'll beat Booker T - now can Booker T dig that, sucka. Ha ha! Lashley rips off Booker's catchphrase!
After the break, a #1 Contender match for the Cruiserweight Title.
Match 5 - Nunzio vs. Super Crazy vs. Kid Kash
Stipulation: WWE Cruiserweight Title #1 Contender Match
For some reason, this match has a certain ECW vibe about it. Watch it and you'll understand what I mean. Nunzio is out here with Big Vito. The start of the match is very fast with Nunzio hitting his Sicilian Slice on Super Crazy less than a minute into the match. Crazy however hits a top rope Asai Moonsault, which marks the entrance of the Great Khali who destroys the Cruiserweights without breaking a sweat. Groan. So much for Cruiserweight action on Smackdown.
Winner: No Contest
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Team Blue go through the lackluster PPV card of Judgement - this *will* be the lowest buyrates for a WWE PPV ever. God help WWE.
Match 6 - Mark Henry vs. Rey Mysterio
Stipulation: None
JBL is out again, and he looks like he's going to do commentry. We'll have to wait to find out as we're off for another break.
We're back and out comes Henry, followed by Rey. You've probably guessed how this match goes. Yes, it's only the 1543rd time that the WWE have gone for the David vs. Goliath style match with Goliath totally controlling the match. And guess what - this match is no difference. Mark Henry slowly (and very slowly) controls Rey Mysterio, using all of his offensive might.
Henry misses two splashes in the corner, which gives Rey his chance with a splash off the top rope (I think Cole might have called it Frog Splash). Rey goes to do a Senton Splash, but Henry catches him. His attempt to do the World's Strongest Slam is reversed to a DDT. Rey then hits a 619, but his West Coast Pop is countered into the World's Strongest Slam, and Henry pins the World Champion clean.
Winner: Mark Henry via pinfall
Post-match Henry wants to splash Rey off the top of the stage, but who saves Rey? JBL. JBL says if Henry destroys Rey then JBL can't beat him at Judgement Day. JBL cuts a bargain with Henry, promising Henry the first title shot when JBL becomes champion. Henry walks away, and JBL says that if Rey is a fighting champion like he says, then next week in Rey's hometown it'll be Rey Mysterio one on one with...
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THE GREAT KHALI!!
And so the show ends...
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That "Boney" Guy's Thoughts
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Wow did Smackdown do a big U-Turn this week. From a week where things looked all good, things have gone downhill big time. Angle injured was a bad thing - but then to announce JBL vs. Rey was plain stupid. Single brand PPVs are based around having a good midcard - but if you take the midcard title out of the equation, you're left with nothing to "play with".
JBL vs. Rey was a curtain jerker a while back - why should it be a Main Event now? Unfortunately, Smackdown hasn't got the resources to play about with. Angle, Batista, Orton are all out of action. That's three huge main eventers gone. Rey *isn't* a proper main eventer - or if he is, he needs the right "push". Throwing him in a match with JBL makes no sense, and isn't a good PPV main event. Had they pushed Rey vs. Batista when they were tag champs, it'd make sense. The Dave vs. Goliath spell is over. Fortunately, I can see Rey winning at the PPV, as I hear Batista is ready to return. I see JBL getting cocky and picking on Rey long enough for Batista to return to clean house. Plus the fact that we'd get a JBL vs. Henry match if JBL wins will literally keep the fans away.
The rest of the PPV card looks weak at most. If the expected match of Lashley vs. Booker T happens, it should be interesting. If Lashley wins, it pushes him huge. If Booker T wins, it'll be his last big push before retirement. The outcome of that match alone is probably the only thing to look forward to at the PPV.
Khali vs. Taker? Really? Is Taker going to job to this guy? No, but I can see Khali winning via DQ. If Khali is still with WWE in 3 years, expect him to be jobbing to guys like Rey, instead of destroying them in seconds.
Guys missing from PPV matches: Benoit, Finlay, Gunnar Scott, Burchill, Henry, Matt Hardy... how are the WWE gonna put them in legit matches, with only a few weeks to go before a PPV. They need to buck up their ideas and quick.
Overall Show Opinion: 3/10 Weak showing to be brutally honest. Only saving grace was the excellent Benoit vs. Finlay match.
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