411’s WWE Smackdown! Report 02.27.09

Posted by JP Truss on 02.27.2009

Tonight on Smackdow, John Cena comes to fight Edge but ends up facing the Big Show instead? Can he survive? Plus the Undertaker will face off against one of his possible opponents at Wrestlemania and a possible Match of the Year candidate happens! Think I'm joking? Come on in to find out!

Welcome to 411's Weekly Smackdown! Report. I am JP Truss your interim play-by-play man for Smackdown!



Tonight Smackdown has a loaded show for us! Jeff and Matt Hardy will face each other one on one tonight, The Miz and John Morrison will face Primo and Carlito Colon for the WWE Tag Team Championships. And with both World Champions in the building, is chaos likely to ensue? There's only one way to find out! Cue the intro!

J.R. and Tazz are at ringside!


John Cena Speaks!

It seems that Cena still has some fans on Smackdown.

Cena grabs the mic and notes that some things have changed since he's away. He mistakes J.R. for Michael Cole; fantastic. He then address Edge, saying that since the No Way Out the World Heavyweight Championship has been held by a coward. Cena points out that he did say that if Edge tried to hide, he would come and find him and now he is in Edge's ring on Edge's show demanding a rematch tonight and he won't leave until he gets an answer.

Edge comes out sans Vickie or Big Show and comments that he's sick of Cena dogging him. Edge seems a little hesitant but finally agrees to the rematch. Looks like it's going to happen! Wait, here comes Vickie Guerrero. Vickie comments that we could all now see that Edge is a warrior and never backs down from a challenge. But, she won't allow Edge to compete tonight. (Everyone you may act surprised…now.)
Cena notes that even though he wasn't going to have a match, he did promise to get his hands on Edge and heads towards the ramp. Vickie finally gets him to stop and puts Cena in a match against the Big Show.

WELLLLLLLL!!!!

Big Show comes out and he and Edge both look extremely confident. That match will happen later tonight, but up next is the WWE Tag Team Championship match!

This wasn't too bad as far as opening segments go. Thankfully they kept it short and sweet so that the story can mostly be told in the ring. We'll see if Cena and Show can deliver later on.


WWE Tag Team Championship Match
John Morrison and The Miz vs. Primo and Carlito Colon

Both of these teams have delivered in their past matches together. Let's see if they can make it three for three! Before we get to the match, we get a clip of the ‘Date Night' segment from last week. Funny stuff with Miz and Morrison and the ‘Colons' are becoming more entertaining each week.

We start off with Primo and Miz in a collar-elbow tie up. Neither man gets control until Miz gets the upper hand with a boot and a headlock takedown. Primo rolls Miz out of it and puts Miz in a headlock of his own. Miz shoves Primo off and gets taken down with a running shoulder tackle. Primo backs up and runs the Miz down with another tackle. Primo ducks under a clothesline from the Miz and springboards off the middle rope, catching Miz with a cross body. Primo goes for the pin and gets a 1 count. Miz gets to his feet and again goes for a clothesline but Primo counters with a Russian Leg Sweep. Primo gets Miz to his corner and tags in Carlito and the brothers double-team Miz with a tandem leapfrog/dropkick. Carlito goes for a pin and gets a one.

Carlito whips Miz into the corner and charges, but Miz gets his boot up. Miz backs Carlito into his corner and tags in Morrison. Morrison knocks Carlito around with a European Uppercut and goes for an Irish Whip, but Carlito telegraphs it with a punt that takes Morrison off his feet. Carlito goes for another pin but again gets a one count.

Carlito backs Morrison to his corner and tags in Primo. Carlito rams Primo into Morrison's gut and Morrison folds like a cheap accordion. Another quick pin gets a one count for Primo. Primo puts Morrison into a chin lock but Morrison quickly breaks out of it and fights Primo back. Morrison whips Primo across to the opposite corner, but Primo blocks his charge with an elbow. Primo leaps onto Morrison's shoulders and nails him with a head scissors takedown! Primo goes for the pin and gets another one count. It's been all Colons so far!
Primo pulls up Morrison and tags in Carlito. The brothers double whip Morrison and catches him with a double elbow. Primo hits a quick leg drop and Carlito goes for the pin, getting a two count. Carlito gets Morrison into the corner and goes on the attack when the Belle Twins come down the ramp. The distraction is another for Morrison to take control. Morrison goes on the attack but he too soon gets distracted and Carlito sends him to the outside. Miz tries to attack from behind but Carlito side steps him and sends him to the outside as well.

Primo steps up and prepares to slingshot over the ropes but Miz and Morrison scatter. Primo lands on the apron and ducks as Carlito flies over the top rope! Senton on Miz and Morrison! Carlito looks confident; Primo looks confident! That means we're going to a commercial break!

(For some reason my stop watch isn't working but I'll get on getting another one for next week's show. Just wanted to point that out.)

We are back and Carlito is choking Morrison along the top rope. Carlito breaks and tags in Primo. Carlito whips Morrison and trips him up, Primo comes in from the side with a running head butt. Primo gets a two count. Primo gets up and Morrison stops him with a punch to the gut. Morrison whips Primo into the corner and he flips over ala Shawn Michaels. Miz tries to attack but Primo knocks him off the apron. Morrison tries to capitalize and gets stop with a shoulder to the gut. Primo springboards off the top rope and lands on his feet as Morrison back away. Morrison springboards off the second rope and knock Primo out of the ring with a Roundhouse Kick. Morrison distracts the ref as Miz goes on the attack and now Morrison is in control. Morrison goes for a pin and gets a two count. Morrison lights up and Primo with punches and stomps before tagging in Miz. Miz and Morrison slings Primo throat first off the top rope and Miz goes for the pin, getting a two count.

Miz slowly attacks Primo with punches to the back of the head before pulling him into a modified Camel Clutch. Primo slowly gets to his feet and breaks out of the hold. Primo tries to get to his corner but Miz holds on to his arm and goes for a short-arm clothesline but Primo ducks under it and goes for a roll up. Good for a two count. Primo again tries to reach his corner but Miz stops him. Miz gets Primo into the far corner and goes on the attack, taking Primo down with that leaping lariat he loves so much. Miz gets a two count for his efforts.

Miz keeps Prime down with a rear chin lock. Primo struggles and finally gets to his feet after a minute but Miz stops him and whips him into his corner. Primo fights off both Morrison and Miz until Miz pushes him off accidently knocking down Morrison and both men knock each other's skulls. The referee begins the count and both men crawl to their corner. Morrison gets to his corner to receive the tag but Carlito gets the hot tag and nails Morrison with lefts and a big back body drop. Morrison gets up and gets decked with a clothesline and spine buster bomb! Carlito goes for the pin and gets the two. Morrison again gets to his feet and Carlito tags him with a running knee lift but gets distracted by Miz and Morrison attacks from behind. Morrison goes for a back suplex but Carlito flips out. Carlito goes for a back suplex of his own and Morrison counters with a pin attempt. Morrison gets a two count.

Morrison takes a swing at Primo and the ref tries to keep him outside of the ring as Morrison whips Carlito to the ropes. Carlito goes for the springboard elbow but Miz stops him. Primo finally gets away from the referee and nails Miz on the outside with a Suicide Dive! Both men are down! Morrison pulls up Carlito and goes for the Moonlight Drive but Carlito reverses it! Back Stabber! Back Stabber out of nowhere! Carlito goes for the pin and gets the three!

Winners (and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions): Primo and Carlito Colon (Pinfall via Back Stabber) **** The WWE and World Tag Team Champions are officially three for three in their bouts together. Definitely a classic tag team match that had plenty of time to make it worth while and continues the impressive streak of good WWE tag matches.

The Belle Twins and the Colons have a talk after the match and the Twins ends up leaving with the Brothers as Miz and Morrison look on in disgust.

Tazz and Jim Ross talk about the Hall of Fame and the induction of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. As far as I'm concerned, Steamboat's matches should be required for anyone who wants to be apart of professional wrestling; even if they want to work catering. This is a well deserved honor for hands down one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of boots.

Next up: The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov!

We come back from commercials and get a recap of the confrontation between Triple H and Legacy on Monday Night. Brutal stuff, although the chase scene wasn't really necessary.


The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov

We start it off and Kozlov gets Undertaker in a side headlock. Kozlov hangs on to the hold but Undertaker pushes him out and Kozlov runs the Undertaker down with a big shoulder block. Undertaker contemplates hi next move as Kozlov charges, only to get hung up on Undertaker's boot. Undertaker goes for a running elbow drop but Kozlov rolls out of the way. Kozlov gets to his feet and clothesline Undertaker over the top but Undertaker lands on his feet on the outside. Kozlov doesn't notice and celebrates until he finally sees Undertaker staring back at him. Commercial break!

(Okay we just had a commercial break when Kozlov came out to the ring and we're getting one again now? Something tells me we're going to miss a pivotal moment in the match by the time we return.)
We're back and Kozlov is out on the apron. Undertaker runs down the side and hits a leg drop! (Sometimes I wish I didn't have a knack right) J.R. and Tazz recount what happened during the break. Kozlov seemed in control for a moment before Undertaker rams him face first into the ring post; which is of course where we come in.

Alright now that that's taken care of, both men are back in the ring. Undertaker tries to attack Kozlov but Kozlov catches him with a back elbow. Kozlov bounces off the ropes to attack the Undertaker but Undertaker counters with a big clothesline. Undertaker goes for a pin and gets a two count. Undertaker goes for the Gogoplata but Kozlov blocks with head butts to the stomach. Kozlov levels Undertaker with a clothesline and goes on the attack with shoulder blocks and punches. The referee tries to get Kozlov to back up, which lets the Undertaker to take advantage. Undertaker goes for an Irish Whip but Kozlov counters with a clothesline. Kozlov goes for a pin and goes for a two.

Kozlov locks the Undertaker in a side headlock and pulls back hard. The Undertaker struggles for a moment before getting to his knee and Kozlov pours more pressure into the move to keep him down. J.R. notes that Ed ‘Strangler' Louis used the side headlock to win championships as Undertaker finally gets to his feet. Undertaker attacks the sides before hitting Kozlov with a back suplex. Both men get to their feet and the slug fest begins.

Undertaker gets the upper hand but Kozlov fights out of it, whipping Undertaker to the ropes but Undertaker counters with a DDT! Good for a two count. Kozlov tries to get up in the corner but Undertaker nails him with a splash. Undertaker whips Kozlov across and hits him with another splash. Undertaker backs Kozlov up and hits the Snake Eyes in the corner; followed by the running boot! Leg Drop! Undertaker goes for the pin and Kozlov kicks out at two.

Undertaker signals for the choke slam but Kozlov counters with a head butt to the chest! Kozlov tries to go for it again but Undertaker takes him down with a kick! Undertaker goes for the pin again and again gets the two. Undertaker grabs Kozlov's arm and goes for Old School…but Kozlov surprises him with a power slam! Kozlov goes for the pin and gets the three count! WHAT IN THE HELL?! Kozlov pins the Undertaker!

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov (Pinfall via Power slam) **1/2 I'd love to rate this match higher, because it seems like it was a decent match. However, the commercial break more or less gutted it so all we were left with is a few bits and pieces to tie together. Of course the ending seemed a little disjointed as well. Overall, not a bad match but not easy to follow.

The Undertaker seems shocked as we go to commercials.


Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy

The crowd eats Matt up as he comes down to the ring, but he appears more focused than ever. However, Jeff comes out clearly not dressed to compete. J.R. and Tazz...as well as Matt and the referee seem a little confused as Jeff steps into the ring. Tazz wonders if the match was changed into a Street Fight without their knowledge; but since this is not TNA I'm going to assume Jeff has a reason.

Jeff grabs a microphone and tells Matt that they've always had each others back and he has done nothing to deserve what Matt is putting him through. Jeff says that he hopes Matt can get over his ‘crazy phase' because Jeff will not fight him since Matt, whether Matt likes it or not, is and will always be his brother. Matt snatches the mic and declares that he is not Jeff's brother. The crowd boos the hell out of Matt for that one as Matt explains that it's not as simple as Jeff makes it out to be. Although Jeff is used to things revolving around him, this wasn't about him…it's about Matt for once! It's about what Matt needs to say and it's that the people make him sick whenever they cheer for Jeff: physically sick. Matt says he has had to sit back and accept that his career has been mediocre while Jeff's has skyrocketed although they both know he is the more talented one. Matt declares that he blames Jeff along with the people who believe in Jeff's ‘hype'.

With that said Matt demands that Jeff fight him. Jeff again refuses. Matt demands it again, with a slap to go along with it. Matt mocks Jeff as Jeff again refuses and Matt nearly levels him with a back hand. Mat looks ready but Jeff simply walks out of the ring to the crowd's approval and Matt's perplexity.

I honestly wish I could fine this segment by itself somewhere on the Internet but I don't have the time to go through YouTube. Great stuff here by both Matt and Jeff as we do appear to be heading to a Wrestlemania encounter between the two.


We get a package highlighting Wrestlemania IV and V which both took place at Trump Plaza. Also highlighted as the conflict between Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. Not too bad. I'm glad these segments are highlighting different Wrestlemania's instead of focusing on the more well known ones at least.

We're back at ringside and MVP is at ringside with J.R. and Tazz for the next match.


U.S Champion Shelton Benjamin vs. Chavo Guerrero

The match starts off and Shelton gets the early upper hand with an aggressive attack in the corner. Chavo gets taken down with a clothesline and Shelton chokes him on the middle rope. MVP comments that Shelton is holding his title as Shelton backs Chavo into the corner. Shelton backs Chavo up and goes for the Stinger Splash but Chavo gets out of the way at the last moment. Chavo hooks Shelton and hits two out of the Three Amigos before Shelton pushes Chavo off, but Chavo counters with a head scissors take down. Chavo goes to the top rope but Shelton meets him up and takes him to the mat with a snap suplex! Good Lord that was one hell of a move by Benjamin.

Chavo rolls to the outside and Shelton follows him out. MVP and Shelton stare down for a moment before setting up Chavo for the power bomb, but instead hurls Chavo into MVP! Damn!
Shelton rolls into the ring to stop the count and rolls back out to toss Chavo back in. Shelton takes another moment to trash talk MVP but Chavo capitalizes with a modified roll up! Chavo gets the three!

Winner: Chavo Guerrero (Pinfall via Roll Up) *1/2This match, like the matches between these three in the past few weeks have been all about building up to a future US Title match. I'm keeping that in mind in scoring the match but even with that there really wasn't anything substantial here. Decent story build-up but the match itself was touch and go.

Shelton is too distracted with talking trash to Chavo to notice MVP sneak into the ring. Drive-By Kick shuts Shelton up real quick! MVP stands tall over the champ to close this one out.

Next up is the main event: John Cena vs. The Big Show!


When we come back from commercials we see the trailer from 12 Rounds. I maintain my optimism about this movie and I do plan to see it so that I can give my own two cents on whether or not my optimism was justified.


John Cena vs. The Big Show

Both men seem to be measuring each other up in the beginning. Big Show eventually corners Cena and knocks him to the mat with big shots to the torso. We quickly cut to Edge and Vickie, who are watching Cena's beat down with approval. Show nails Cena with an overhand chop that levels him. Show sets him up again in the corner and goes for another chop but Cena ducks out of the way. Cena goes on the attack with quick punches but Show shoves him out of the way. Cena jumps to his feet again and again goes on the attack and again gets shoved out of the way. Show comes out of the corner and Cena nails him with a hay maker. Cena throws a few more before trying to charge Big Show only to get knocked down with a shoulder block.

Cena is slowly to get up and Show greets him with a head butt that puts Cena on spaghetti legs. Show nails him with another headbutt that drops him. Show mocks Cena as he pulls himself up and knocks him down again with a head butt. Show seems like he's having a good time tonight. Cena gets up and rams Show with an elbow. Cena throws punches before bouncing off the ropes, only for Show to counter with a Sidewalk Slam.

Cena tries to use the ropes to pull himself up but Show squeezes the top two ropes across Cena's throat; unique and effective. Cena is dazed and Show takes advantage with a couple of massive rights into Cena's gut. Cena tries again to get to his feet and attempts to lift up Cena for the Attitude Adjustment (Throwback? Who knows?) only for Show to knock him aside. Cena again tries to get up and gets knocked into the corner with a head butt. Show chokes Cena down in the corner until the referee gets him to back off. Show whips Cena into the nearby corner hard enough to knock him down and shouts something to the crowd that raises their ire. Cena again tries to get up and is again whipped into the corner. Show's got a big smile on his face as he repeats the move again. Cena seems well out of place as Show goes for a running clothesline but Cena gets both feet up! Show is dazed and Cena jumps onto Show are back and locks in a Sleeper!

Show struggles around the ring to try and get him off but Cena hangs on as Show tries to knock him into the corner. Cena finally forces Show to one knee and gets off his back to get a better grip, but Show capitalizes with a huge side slam! Both men are down! This means it's time for a commercial break!

We are back and Show nearly tosses Cena across the ring with a vertical suplex. Cena rolls out to the ring apron and Show attacks with a running shoulder block that sends Cena flying into the announcer table. Show sets out of the ring and pulls Cena onto his shoulder. Show goes to throw Cena into the ring post but Cena drops onto his feet and sends Show face first into the steel. Cena gets back into the ring as Show slowly slides back in before the 8 count. Cena goes for a running bulldog but Show counters with a one arm toss that sends Cena crashing out of the ring! Nice!

Big Show grabs Cena's head and pulls him up to the ring apron but Cena counters snaps Show's head of the top rope. Cena comes in and tries to charge the Big Show but Show counters with a running lariat! (J.R. calls Big Show a Human 18 Wheeler, and at this point I tend to agree.) Show goes for the pin and gets a two count!
Show pulls Cena up and rams him shoulder-first into the top turnbuckle. Show ties up Cena's arm on the top rope and continues the attack on the shoulder before the referee gets him to back off. Show rams elbows into Cena's shoulder before putting it in a claw hold. J.R. notes Cena's history with neck problems as Cena drops to his knees. Slowly Show pours on the pressure until Cena finally pushes Show's hand up only to get a shot to the ribs for his effort. Cena ducks under a right hand from the Big Show and nails him with a right. Show goes for another punch and Cena ducks under it again and hits Show with another right. Cena gets the Big Show off his feet for a slam, but is overcome with the weight! Show has the pin but gets a two count! That had to hurt.

Show drags Cena into the corner and goes for the Vader Bomb, but Cena rolls out of the way of sure destruction. (Big Show, has that move ever…EVER…worked?!) Cena tries to shake loose his arm and goes to the top rope and nails a guillotine leg drop on the back of Show's head! Cena is on his feet! The crowd is feeling it! Five Knuckle Shuffle on the Big Show! Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment again but Show blocks it. Show pulls Cena up and hits the Alley Oop! Show calls for the Chokeslam but Cena counters! Attitude Adjustment on Show! Both men are down again!

Wait! Here comes Edge! Edge rolls through the ring and gets Cana's attention. Show capitalizes with a Roaring Fist! Cena is out of it! Show pulls him up and nails him with Choke slam! Show goes for the pin and gets the three!

Winner: Big Show (Pinfall via Choke slam) *** Despite the choppy start, this one delivered with an old-school, psychological heavyweight match. Of course, this won't fit into everyone's tastes but still solid work here by both Cena and Show.

Big Show leaves and Edge slithers in to stand over a fallen Cena. Edge shouts at Cena and holds up the gold to close out this edition of Smackdown!


Final Thoughts : Okay, we had a few weak spots tonight but overall Smackdown was good. The Tag Team Match was easily the Match of the Night and one of the best Tag Team matches so far this year. The middle of the show felt a bit rushed but there was still solid development and the Matt and Jeff storyline continues to stand out and the main event was well done. Overall this was a solid night for Smackdown that continues to fight against Wrestlemania overload and deliver some good wrestling matches. Smackdown is maintaining a good trend here and we'll see if the train continues next week.

Don't forget to check out the Worst Wrestler of the Week every Tuesday! Until then; JP is DONE SON!