411’s WWE Smackdown Report 8.29.08

Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.29.2008

The Undertaker wants Vickie’s soul, Jeff battles MVP, R-Truth debuts, HHH battles Shelton Benjamin in a great main event and…TWINS!



WWE Smackdown: 8.29.08
-JR and The Tazz welcome us to Smackdown, and the Undertaker makes his way to the ring!

~THE DEAD MAN SPEAKS~
Holy shit, does this mean NO main event interview? YAY! Taker says that Vickie Guerrero wanted him to forgive her of all of her sins. But there is something he needs to tell her that he's not the forgiving kind. La Familia watches on from backstage. He will be coming for her, and he will be coming for her soul. And once he takes it, she will burn…burn in hell! Taker poses and the ring posts are on fire, La Familia shits their pants backstage, and then sneak out of the room, leaving Vickie by herself. She realizes that she is by herself, tries to leave but the door is locked. Taker walks to the back.

-JR hypes MVP vs. Jeff Hardy for later tonight, as well as Shelton Benjamin vs. HHH.


-Back from commercial with another R-Truth video package.

-R-Truth makes his way to the ring, using pretty much the exact same music he used in TNA, since he owns the rights to it. Unfortunately no one seems to care about him.

-Kenny Dykstra is out and says he has done everything he could to get the company to care about him. He says Truth is nothing but a convict. Kenny didn't get any videos or interview time, he can barely get on Smackdown. He hasn't even been to jail, maybe he should have been. WWE should focus on him, not people like "you," now that is the truth.

R-Truth vs. Kenny Dykstra

A right by Truth to begin. To the corner, chops and off the ropes, Truth into a roll up and gets 2. A clothesline by Dykstra levels Truth, and a hard whip to the corner follows. Dykstra covers for 2. Dykstra works the back with forearm shots, into the surfboard but Truth gets to his feet. Rights by Truth, can't get the suplex and Dykstra works the back some more. Truth slams Dykstra to the corner, a hip toss and clothesline follow. Spinning forearm off the ropes by Truth, a boot to the gut and the scissors kick finishes it.

Winner: R-Truth @ 2:00 via pin

Vince McMahon reportedly threw a bitch fit about this match because Truth sold too much. Apparently this was due to a miscommunication backstage. And for a 2-minute match I have to agree, since Kenny has been booked like a goof when he has been on the show. Overall this was a sloppy match, and the crowd didn't care about Truth. That's a shame.
RATING: ½*


-Maryse breaks up the latest photo shoot for Michelle McCool. Maryse says the title would look better on her. They have the worst scripted argument ever, McCool says Maryse doesn't have skill, Maryse says she is ugly, and walks away. The lack of charisma in that segment was amazing.


Maryse and Natalya vs. Michelle McCool and Maria

McCool and Natalya to begin, they lock up and McCool gets a toss. Natalya then gets a side headlock takedown, McCool tries to roll it but fails. To her feet, shoots Natalya off the ropes and then gets a Russian leg sweep for 2. Arm bar by McCool, tags in Maria and she lays the boots to Natalya. Forearms by Natalya, Maria with a roll up but Natalya is back up and slams Maria down. Misses a leg drop, Maria gets an arm bar, but Maryse tags in and Maria fires away with forearms. Maryse slams her down by the hair, off the ropes and Natalya kicks Maria, which allows Maryse to DDT Maria and cover for the pin.

Winner: Natalya and Maryse @ 2:25 via pin

Not much better than the opener. The lack of time hurts and it really showed as they just did some stuff, it felt disjointed and the end just appeared. Good DDT by Maryse though.
RATING: *

-The ladies brawl after the match. McCool and Maryse to the floor but Natalya helps out and McCool is left laying.

-JR and Tazz hype the Hardy vs. MVP feud, and we get a video package. DO NOT TALK ABOUT JEFF'S DOG!

-Eve is with Jeff Hardy. Jeff says MVP has tried to make his life a living hell. MVP is just another obstacle in his road to becoming WWE champion. MVP and his ego will be laying flat on their back when he's done tonight.


-We see Vickie freaked out backstage. It may have to do with the picture of the Undertaker on the wall. She tries to make a call, the phone doesn't work so she throws it. Call a technician next time sweetie.

MVP vs. Jeff Hardy

They talk smack, MVP shoves Jeff, Jeff shoves him back and locks in a headlock of hate! Takedown by Jeff, still has the headlock and MVP rolls him and covers for 2. To their feet, off the ropes and a shoulder block by Jeff. Another and then MVP sidesteps him and Jeff to the floor. Rights to MVP, back in the ring and a right by Jeff takes MVP to the floor. MVP is upset, takes his time on the floor and is back in. Side headlock by Jeff, MVP uses the hair and slams Jeff down. Jeff fights back, gets a leg drop and then works the arm. Knees by MVP, but Jeff with arm drags and he maintains control over MVP. Jeff works the arm bar, winds it up and MVP gets to the corner for a break. Jeff charges in with rights, a whip and back elbow by MVP, shoots the leg and as he goes for a spinning toehold Jeff kicks him to the corner, and MVP hits the steel post. Jeff slingshots in with I guess a dropkick to the shoulder, and covers for 2. MVP bails to the floor again, avoids a plancha but Jeff gets the running senton off of the apron and we head to a commercial @ 5:00.

Back from commercial @ 8:00 with Jeff working the left arm of MVP still. Rights by Jeff now, but MVP slams him to the corner and starts to lay the boots to him. MVP with a suplex and drops Jeff gut first over the top rope, and follows with the kick to the head. To the floor they go, MVP drops Jeff on the barrier and then tosses him back into the ring and covers for 2. Mounted rights by MVP, another cover gets 2 again. MVP locks in the seated abdominal stretch, but Jeff fights to his feet. Jeff gets MVP up and falls back on him to break the hold, side slam style. Back to their feet, a dropkick by Jeff and then gets the corner dropkick. Gourd buster by Jeff, he goes up top and the swanton connects with the knees of MVP. MVP is up, and a baseball slide dropkick sends Jeff to the steel post. He then bends Jeff around the post in a very unfriendly manner, rolls him back in and covers for 2. MVP is not pleased with that count. MVP lays Jeff on the top rope in the corner, and then PUNTS Jeff off of the ropes and to the floor. Kicks to the back by MVP, and another cover gets 2. MVP grinds his boot off of Jeff's face, forearm smashes by MVP and a cover for 2. MVP now applies the camel clutch, thusly humbling young Jeff. Cross face shots by MVP, and then back to the clutch. Jeff manages to get the ropes, so MVP drops the elbow to the back. A slam by MVP, a knee drop follows and a cover for 2. He works the surfboard now, Jeff to his feet and MVP gets a backdrop suplex and cover for 2. Rights by Jeff, off the ropes and an overhead belly to belly throw by MVP gets a cover for 2. They trade rights, boots by Jeff, more rights and a whip to the corner, Jeff tries the whisper in the wins and MVP takes his legs out from under him and JEFF HARDY IS DEAD! Holy shit he landed on the back of his head. MVP covered for 2, sets Jeff up top and follows. Super backdrop suplex, Jeff tries to turn it and they just fell like a sack of shit to the mat. That looked bad. Jeff covers for 2. A wrap up clothesline by Jeff, forearm strike and then another clothesline. To the corner they go, off the ropes and a boot by Jeff, whisper in the wind by Jeff. Swanton connects and that is all.

Winner: Jeff Hardy @ 19:30 via pin

This had all of the makings of a great match, but it never got there. I appreciate them getting a lot of time to work, but when a match FEELS long, that is not a good thing. Long does not equal good. Also, Jeff looked to be sandbagging MVP on a few occasions, which did the match no favors. It was pretty good, but could have been much better.
RATING: **½

-After the match, Shelton Benjamin rushes in and gets pay dirt on Hardy. MVP thanks him, tells him he did well, invites him clubbing and Benjamin then gets pay dirt on MVP.


-We see a bunch of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the crowd. ROCK ON BOYS!

-Smackdown Your Vote stuff with Josh and Candice.

Non-Title Match: Jesse and Festus vs. Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins ©

Festus goes wild at the bell and cleans house. Hawkins and Ryder to the floor, and BIG SHOW makes his way to the ring. Festus gets tossed to the floor and Show beats own the tag team champions as well as Jesse. Chokeslam for Hawkins, knockout right to Jesse.

Winner: BIG SHOW via Ass Whooping

Well, on one hand this plays well into the storyline that he got screwed out of the Scramble match. On the other hand, he just killed all of the tag teams on Smackdown. Of course, I suppose that only matters if WWE cared about tag teams.
RATING: N/A

-Show grabs the mic, says hello, and says that there is some confusion here. Vickie is under so much pressure that she has overlooked certain superstars. He says to Vickie that he will never, ever be overlooked again. As far as this, my bad, oops, let's just call this an oversight.


-Vickie is still backstage, and still afraid. RUN!

Victoria vs. Brie Bella

Lock up to begin, a side headlock takedown and Victoria yells at Bella. Bella with a handstand into a kick to escape, a monkey flip follows and then Victoria gets a boot to the gut. To the corner, Bella avoids a charge and gets a cover for 2. Flying mare by Bella, Victoria catches her and then gets a side back breaker and cover for 2. Victoria slams her to the corner, shoulder blocks follow and then a snap suplex. Standing moonsault by Victoria and a cover for 2. Victoria says this is it, shoots her off the ropes and levels Bella with a kick. Bella under the ring after kicking Victoria off, Victoria pulls her out and they go back in the ring. Bella rolls her up for the win.

Winner: Brie Bella @ 2:30 via

Brie Bella is from developmental and has a twin sister (Brianna and Nicole). The main part of their gimmick is that they pull the switch, as they did here for the victory. Unfortunately Victoria had to be the victim, but I am willing to give it a shot. She didn't look that bad, but it was also very short.
RATING: *

~…and TWINS!~


-We get an explanation of Cena's injury and some surgery footage.


-THE Brian Kendrick talks to us, saying that his opponents prepare for battle by fighting, while THE Brian Kendrick will relax, and prepare by studying the masters. He is reading THE ART OF WAR! ZEKE is reading as well. It is not about getting the first or most pins, but the last. He will be that man. There is a fine line between genius and insanity, and if you learn to walk that line, you're unstoppable. THE Brian Kendrick is awesome.

-JR and Tazz run down the Unforgiven card:

- World Tag Team Title Match: Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes © vs. Cryme Tyme
- Unsanctioned Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
- ECW Title Scramble Match: Mark Henry © vs. Matt Hardy vs. The Miz vs. Finlay vs. Chavo Guerrero
- World Title Scramble Match: CM Punk © vs. Kane vs. JBL vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio (Replacing the Injured John Cena)
- WWE Title Scramble Match: HHH © vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP vs. THE Brian Kendrick

-HHH makes his way to the ring.


-Shelton cuts a pre-match promo, he's the gold standard and such.

Non-Title Match: HHH © vs. Shelton Benjamin ©

Benjamin gets a quick arm drag, causing HHH to think on things. Lock up, go behind by Benjamin but HHH reverses that into a hammerlock. Side headlock now by HHH, off the ropes and a shoulder block by HHH. Off the ropes and arm drags by Benjamin and into the arm bar. HHH looks to get to his feet, does and arm drags out of the hold. Benjamin then gets another arm drag and back into the arm bar. A big right by HHH stops that, and Benjamin backs off to the corner. Danny Hodge used that same counter to win the Oklahoma State Wrestling Championship in 1950. Hey, Hodge was 8-2 as a pro boxer. To the corner, and Benjamin with rights. HHH then tosses him to the corner, unloads with rights on him and then goes to work on the arm. Back to the corner they go, knees by Benjamin, rights as well and the ref backs him off. An Irish whip now and HHH explodes out with a clothesline. HHH now works the arm bar and takes Benjamin down to the mat. A knee drop to the arm and then HHH yanks back on the arm, looking to dislocate the shoulder. More knees to the arm by HHH, winds up the arm and Benjamin with rights to escape. He shoots HHH off the ropes, but HHH manages a single arm DDT. HHH wraps the arm of Benjamin around the top rope, goes back to the wristlock and to the corner they go. Knees by Benjamin, rights as well and then shoots him off the ropes and a kick by Benjamin levels HHH, allowing Benjamin to cover for 2. Benjamin springs off the ropes, boot by HHH, pedigree try but Benjamin escapes to the floor. We'll head to commercial @ 6:00.

Back from commercial @ 10:00 as HHH is on the floor, and the replay shows that HHH took the corner bump to the floor. As HHH tried to re-enter the ring, Benjamin scored a neck breaker. Benjamin is in control here with rights and knees to a downed HHH. Benjamin gets the neck vice, bending HHH the wrong way. Benjamin work shim to the mat cravat style. Knee drops by Benjamin, and then drops into the figure four head scissors. HHH looks to roll, does and is able to get a cover for 1. Benjamin releases, charges HHH but eats a back elbow. Both men are down, HHH to a knee and to his feet. Benjamin on the apron, HHH tries to suplex him into the ring , does but Benjamin turns it into a neck breaker on the way down and covers for 2. Benjamin goes to the full body scissors with the chinlock. HHH escapes the body scissors, but is still on his knees. HHH gets to his feet, rights to Benjamin allow him to escape but Benjamin takes him back to the corner. A big boot by HHH stops the charge of Benjamin, but as HHH looks to take advantage Benjamin slams him to the corner. Shelton Splash connects. Goes for a 2nd, but HHH escapes and follows up with a clothesline. Both men are down and working to their feet. They are up, rights by HHH rock Benjamin. Benjamin back with rights of his own, off the ropes and a Harley Race like high knee by HHH connects. To the corner, HHH gets Benjamin up and powerslams him down and covers for 2. HHH ducks the spin kick of Benjamin, gets the DDT counter and covers again for 2! Off the ropes, counters and Benjamin gets a straight kick to the face of HHH. Benjamin rolls and manages a cover for a close 2. Knees and rights by Benjamin, off the ropes and walks into a DOUBLE A Spinebuster! Boot by HHH, escape by Benjamin and into the back breaker and a cover for 2! Face buster by HHH, and Khali's music hits. He walks out and stands on the ramp. HHH stares him down, then avoids the pay dirt, gets the pedigree and pins Benjamin.

Winner: HHH @ 19:20 via pin

Another great performance from Shelton Benjamin, who has been on a roll as of late. Also credit to HHH, as it takes two to dance. Outside of working with Orton and Cena, I have been left bored with many HHH matches, but he brought the working boots on this night and what results was a very good main event. It also never FELT long, like Hardy vs. MVP. But I have to say that the ending made Benjamin look like a complete fool. HHH is distracted, but then the moment Benjamin looks to capitalize, he eats the kick, wham, pedigree. For me that took away a bit from a really good match.
RATING: ***½

-After the match he calls Khali to the ring, but Benjamin attacks HHH from behind with the US Title. He stands tall, holding his US Title high. Khali enters the ring and gets the TREE SLAM on HHH.

-Vickie is still trapped in her office. The lights go out, she screams and…

*End Scene…