Smackdown Report 6/20/08

      SMACKDOWN

This week is the last edition of smackdown before the draft lottery on Raw Monday Night. Which superstars will be making their final appearences on the show? Also, we continue the road to the Night of Champions, Edge & Vickie along with the rest of La Famila continue their reign of terror. Kozlov continues to destory every cruiserweight on the WWE roster and Khali continues to destroy the roster and pretty much the reputation of the WWE. Also, who will face Natalya for the Divas Championship at Night of Champions....perhaps we will have a better idea after tonight!

(opening video)

*Noticed that they have removed Undertaker from the Intro Video.....Smooth.*

Lights, Camera, Action! We have MVP...and its VIP lounge time. Still not sure what to make of these segments, lets just say they are a long way off the likes of Pipers Pit and The Highlight Reel but thats an argument for another day. MVP talks about the upcoming draft and how anyone (superstars, announcers, refs, Gm's etc) is eligible (Khali and Henry to another brand this writer hopes!). His typical Self-promoting is next, calling himself the best in the business, how he is the future of this industry, etc. He continues by saying that he wants to change shows, as he isn't being used right by management, talking about how they are either busy planning for their wedding or are too afraid to give him a shot at the main event. Cue The Chimp, Vickie Guerrero & the "EdgeHeads" on the rampway. As the norm on Smackdown these days, the fans lay siege to Vickie showering her with boos. She says she doesn't need his threats of going to RAW or ECW as she has other stuff to worry about (like her next meal of the day perhaps). MVP replies by saying that last week he beat CM Punk, just as she requested but she has yet to live up to her end of their agreement. Vickie then tells MVP that their agreement wasn't for MVP to beat CM Punk; however, she does not tell anyone what she actually meant (My guess is she wanted Punk takin out rather then just beat). Apparently MVP's agent tried to call her to discuss a change in his contract but she wasnt available. He then says that he does not want to leave Smackdown, as he is the face of the franchise, but if all Vickie is going to worry about is herself & La Familia (and her next meal of the day), he sees no other alternative than to hope he is drafted. The Chimp looks like she doesn't have time for MVP and she puts MVP in a match for later tonight, pitting him against the ECW Champion, the big red retar...sorry...Monstor, Kane!

*This was a good opening segment, pushing MVP as a possible face as well as giving La Familia, another possible threat. That being said, I have not been shy about expressing my opinion that this whole Vickie/Edge Love storyline, with Vickie abusing her power has run its course and the WWE is milking it dry, I agree that it is generating major heat which is great, but at this stage its just begginning to annoy the fans and making them hop the channel, it's about time this storyline is put to rest, and the sooner the better.*

(ads)

I wonder if Bam Neely is ever going to get his own theme music, seriously, it just looks wrong with Bam coming out to Chavo's music wearing a Chavo Guerrero shirt. He is now calling himself "The one man fence". This is Bam's first one on one match in the WWE and he had a decent showing. He uses his strength well to reverse/counter alot of Matt's moves and has some decent in-ring skills based on his showing in this match. That being said, this match was not about Bam Neely, this match was all about Chavo & Matt and to buildup the tension prior to their at Night of Champs. Chavo incidentally was sent from ringside during the match by Ref Charles Robinson after attempting to interrupt Hardy's attack sequence. Big Mistake Charlie (More on that later). Bam dominated for most of the match using his superior strength to keep Matt down on the Mat(t). I am a bit tired of this style of match, that is face getting beat down for ¾ of the match, only to make some kind of miraculous come back to win the match. This match ends with Neely continuing to dominate, only to have Matt reverse a scoop slam into a Twist of Fate for the 3 count. Guess this "one man fence" aint that hard to climb.

This was a match that helped to elevate the feud between Matt & Chavo...as well as introduce Bam to some in-ring action. I look forward to seeing more of him, especially if he breaks away from being Chavo's bodyguard.

Back from the break and we have Edge backstage with Chavo & Bam Neely, Chavo starts to complain about both Edge & Charles Robinson. Edge then says that next week, he is going to help Chavo out with Matt Hardy. However, Chavo has to help out Edge with Batista, so tonight it will be Chavo Guerrero Vs Batista. Before leaving, Edge tells Chavo "Trust Me".

(ads)

*We have Edge backstage with Chavo & Bam, Chavo complaing about Charles Robinson. Edge then says that next week, he is going to help Chavo out with Matt Hardy (he didint elaborate but I presume by winning him in a match?). However, Chavo must return the favour by helping out Edge by taking on Batista tonight in the maaaaaainn event!

This was a decent diva's match on Smackdown considering that this time last year these 2 divas were not really doing anything that involved them actually wrestling. McCool was a valet to a nobody Tag Team & Layla was a member of Extreme Expose, yet here we are a year later and both Divas have shown remarkable improvement in the ring. Layla used a lot of dirty tactics to take advantage of the match only to have Michelle to regain control. Natalya Neidhart comes out to watch the match (scouting possible opposition for her divas championship match). McCool hits a nice looking belly to belly suplex on Layla before locking in her submission move (that has yet to be named) for the win.

This was a solid divas bout which was pretty much all about McCool, this match practically guaranteed that she will be the one facing Natalya for the Diva's championship. Also during this match, Mick Foley revealed that he keeps a regular blog on Michelle McCool...This is too creepy to even comment on.

*Backstage we have The Chimp talking to her wedding planner, Alysha Fox until they are interrupted by Edge. He tells of Chavo's problem with Charles Robinson which leads to Charlie himself coming in (convienient) & Vickie accusing him of being biased (using Wrestlemania as one example when he sprinted the full length of the Mania Rampway to count a Taker fall, this moment is still one of the funniest moments of the year!) and says that he ejected Chavo for 'no reason' earlier.She puts Charlie in a match tonight. This Gm is Gold......

Another Kozlov match, another cruiserweight opponent, another squash match. Its been going on for months. Damn it, gimmick or not, its about time he got some entrance music and some lights, I am not a fan of his dark and silent entrance, it's starting to get on my nerves and I know I am not alone (right TWG people?). Noble gets very little offence in early on in the match, and when he does manage to lock in some holds, Kozlov continuously manages to power out of each one. Eventually Noble manages to hit a missile dropkick on Kozlov, knocking him off his feet and locking in a chokehold, but once again, Kozlov manages to power out, and drill Noble into the corner. The match ends with Noble climbing to the second rope and diving at Kozlov, only for Vlad to head butt Noble in the ribs and gets the 3 count. The Head Butt finish looked great.

Another Kozlov match, another squash, enough said.

(ads)

I'm not sure whether I like or dislike MVP losing his original flamboyant entrance, with the inflatable entrance way & pyro, it's good because it makes MVP seem like a more credible wrestler, but it also takes away from the character that originally got MVP over. The match starts with MVP talking smack to Kane, only to get hit with a mean uppercut as Kane dominates early on in the match. Eventually MVP manages to use his superior technical skills to take advantage of the match, locking in submissions on Kane, similar to what he did with CM Punk last week, but Kane was able to use his superior power to get out of the submissions and regain control of the match before hitting a dropkick on MVP (Yeah a dropkick from Kane). Kane then picks up MVP, only to knock him back down with a big boot, and just as it seems MVP is making a comeback, Kane takes him down with a sidewalk slam. Kane then climbs up to the top rope and nails a flying clothesline on MVP & then goes for the Chokeslam; however, MVP manages to hold onto the ropes avoiding the chokeslam. MVP gets knocked out of the ring, and refuses to come back in...giving the ECW champ a countout win.

As soon as the match is over, "The Worlds Fattest Man" Mark Henry runs (well...stumbles) down to the ring and attacks Kane, hitting him with the World's strongest (Fattest) slam.

This match was good, up until the end, after all this build for MVP, making it seem he may challenge La Familia; he chickens out of a match and loses by count out. The WWE dropped the ball on this one. I get the feeling this was MVP's last match as part of the Smackdown! brand....

*Backstage we see Charles Robinson pacing nervously, then Chavo comes in & wishes him luck for his match.*

Charles Robinson comes out to no music as Mick Foley talks about how Vickie should put Charles in the ring with a good cruiserweight like Funaki or Nunzio (Talk about putting down these guys!). But wait, no...shock horror, its The Great Khali makeing his way to the ring. Charlie attempts to run away (smart move), only to be attacked by The "Edgeheads" and then thrown back into the ring as the match officially begins. Khali hits a huge clothesline on Charlie and attempts to pin him, but then pulls him up, Khali then hits an extremely weak looking head butt and attempts the pin, only to pull him up yet again. Khali then hits Charlie with his usual chop move, before picking an almost unconscious Charles Robinson back up and locks in the Vice Grip for the pin and Charles almost looks like he is dead as the medics make their way out.

Another squash match obviously but I must point out the referee sold his bumps better then the superstar ever could. I saw absolutely no point in this, except for further abusing of power by The Chimp.

(ads)

Jesse & Festus make their way to the ring as Cole & Foley tell the viewers at home that Charles Robinson has been taken to a nearby medical centre. Deuce & Domino make their way to the ring arguing with each other, and the usual entrance via car is nowhere to be seen. The bell rings & Festus goes nuts, he then knocks both Deuce & Domino out of the ring which leads to them brawling with each other!! Deuce eventually manages to throw Domino back into the ring, where he gets man handled by Festus. Festus hits a fall away slam on Domino for the 3 count.

After the match, Deuce comes back into the ring as Domino manages to sit up. Deuce then hits the "Crack'em in the Mouth" on Domino, then adding insult to injury by draping Domino's jacket over his face as he walks to the back, The Draft could be the best thing now for The D's. Let the divorce proceedings begin.....this tag team is no more.

Finlay & Horny make their way to the ring, complete with derbies and inflatable shillelaghs. Hornswoggle retreats underneath the ring while Morrison goes on commentary and makes a few witty comments throughout the match (see Quotes of the week below this report). This match was very similar to Finlay's match with Morrison last week, with Finlay using his brawling skills as the Miz uses his technical ability to try and gain the advantage. The Miz manages to gain control of the match, synching in a headlock. Hornswoggle then pops out of the ring to support his "father", but gets chased off by the shaman of sexy, Morrison. Finlay then regains control, beating down on the Miz, hitting a succession of clotheslines before John Morrison leaves the announcer's table and drags Hornswoggle out from under the ring. This manages to distract Finlay and allows The Miz to take control. Hornswoggle manages to get partially back underneath the ring and brings out a shillelagh hitting Morrison in the knee. This distracts The Miz, and allows Finlay to hit the Celtic Cross for the 3 count.

This was a solid match, with the Miz showing more improvement in the ring every week. However, I am not a fan of this feud, while funny at time, making Hornswoggle seem like a possible contender to a title after all the comedy skits he has been in, only decreases the value of whatever title he goes for. He did it to the cruiserweight championship (which is now extinct so congratulations Horny), and he must NOT be allowed wear Tag team gold....end of story! Also this FInlay dancing around, playing with toy hammers etc is making me vomit in my mouth. I love FInlay and the WWE are messing with my boy:( The Tough Irish Bastard is the gimmick that signifies exactly who he is...this comedic face turn is just tasteless!

*Ads for the Draft. Lets hope Smackdown dont get another raw (pardon the pun..but its the last time I can use the joke lol) deal this year.*

Before Chavo comes out to the ring, The Chimp (Jeesh im sick of both the sight and sound of her) comes out and informs Batista Charles Robinson was supposed to be the referee for the main event, but seeing as he is in no condition to be the referee, she had to appoint someone else. No prizes for guessing who she has in mind...World Champion Edge. She then says that if Batista lays a hand on the special guest referee, then Batista will lose his title shot at Night of Champs. Chavo & Bam then make their way to the ring as Vickie looks on from the entrance way. With a bit of reluctance, Edge tells Bam to go to the outside of the ring. Edge continues to get in Batista's way, almost daring Batista to hit him. He then proceeds to make some biased calls, such as saying Batista hooked Chavo's tights, allowing Bam to stand on the apron & making some fast counts to make Batista break his holds quicker. Batista continues to dominate Chavo, he then delivers a jackhammer to Chavo and goes for the pin, but Edge gets "distracted" and when he finally notices the pinfall, he makes a slow count. Edge then trips Batista as he goes for a spear, Edge then stops Chavo choking Batista, only for Edge to turn around & allow Bam Neely to attack Batista. I thought Edges antics are absolutely hilarious! Michael Cole may not agree with me though lol. Chavo then manages to get 2 pinfall attempts on Batista, and even with Edge's fast counts, Batista still manages to kick out. This continues for the rest of the match, with Batista dominating Chavo but not being able to win due to Edge's biased officiating. The match ends when Bam trips Batista & Batista exits the ring to get revenge, only to have Edge make an extremely fast count out.

After the match, Batista tries to get revenge on Edge, but La Familia attack him, hitting him with a frog splash & a spear (met with an almost eerily silent response from the crowd) as the final Smackdown before the Draft comes to an end.

This was a good edition of Smackdown, with a surprising 8 matches. By WWE standards thats insane. The feuds for all 4 titles have been elevated so that was a major positive to take from the show. However, the further abuse of the Edge/Vickie romance alongside another Kozlov squash match as well as 2 countout finishes did not help this edition of Smackdown in the slightest.

Thats it for another edition of The Smackdown Re-Bound with me, Curtis Kash. Hope you all took the chance to read my report as well as enjoy it. Im hoping to keep delivering reports and articles on smackdown like this every week so your feedback is essential and comments are much appreciated, be they positive or negative!

COMMENTS