Smackdown Report: 6/27/08

The Draft Lottery eh..? Ive been going on for weeks of how I had a feeling Smackdown would get shafted by Raw like they do every year...and it looked like it was heading that way again this year when I witnessed the likes Of Rey Mysterio, Matt Hardy, Batista etc hittin the road. Then an absolute corker...the King of Kings! The WWE Champion! The Game! Triple H!! On Smackdown! For the first time in 6 years! This compensates all the losses. Lets hope its for the long term....and dont forget Good Ol' JR! An institution on Raw! Now on the "B" Show...perhaps the "B" show may be shaping into the flagship WWE show....

Triple H

Jim Ross

Jeff Hardy

Umaga

Mr.Kennedy

Shelton Benjamin

Carlito

Trevor Murdoch

DH Smith

Maria

Big Daddy V

Brian Kendrick

Batista

Rey Mysterio

Matt Hardy

Michael Cole

Finlay

Hornswoggle

Mark Henry

Jamie Noble

Deuce

Chuck Palumbo

*BACKSTAGE...Vickie Guerrero addresses us saying there was a terrible accident resulting in Vince McMahon being badly injured (For those who believe this was a genuine accident...you are idiots). She extends Smackdown's best wishes to Mr. McMahon and his family and points out she hopes he doesn't get confined to a wheelchair like she is. She says he would want us to move on. She's focusing on the positives and that's her marriage to Edge and the new Smackdown line-up. She introduces the new voice of Smackdown!...Jim Ross, to open the show. Man from a Smackdown standpoint im happy with this move. Jr is a Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest announcer in history.

(opening video)...Friday Nights will never be the same again!

*Noticed that Undertaker is still missing from the Intro Video.....Smooth.*

Lights, Camera, Action! Its PROMO TIME! – Triple H makes his Smackdown return! What an ovation for the WWE Champ! JR & Foley plug Night of Champions and H's title match with John Cena. (Foley is visibly over the moon at working with JR...and so he should be..) HHH points out how much difference a day makes. Monday, HHH was top dog on Raw and McMahon was a crazy man giving away money, days later HHH has moved from Raw to Smackdown for the first time in 6 years and McMahon is still a crazy guy but his world has fallen on top of him (Literally) . He says things change but they stay the same. On commentary he has friendly faces with Mick Foley and Jim Ross. He calls JR the greatest announcer in the history of the business (Agreed). He says the fans are the biggest comfort to him (Cheap pop? Lol). He says they're all part of the WWE Universe. As long as they're here, HHH is at home. He says it's time for some blatant shilling and he plugs the PPV on Sunday. Before he can carry on he's interrupted by the World champion EDGE. JR talks about the "Alpha Male" situation. Crowd give him a loud welcome of "you suck". Edge says this is special; the world champions both together on one brand (and its so obvious that these two are NOT gonna get along on the same show...their egos clearly wont allow it). Edge says there are rumours they can't co-exist. Edge dis-agrees and says they can get along. HHH sees problems in that theory. HHH says he'll still be champion after Sunday but Edge…cuts him off. The crowd supports the theory that Edge will lose his title on the PPV. Edge says during world title matches against Batista, Dave has never beaten him. Edge references HHH's only previous (televised) singles match with John Cena…where he tapped out. Edge says Smackdown is his house and his show. Edge demands respect from the Game.. Before he can finish we're joined by new Raw superstar Batista (I presume making his smackdown bow tonight). JR tells us business is picking up. "I've been waiting for you to say that" – Foley.Classic. HHH throws Edge to Batista who spears him on the floor. Batista picks up the title belt and him and HHH proceed in doing a little posing. Perhaps a preview of this Sunday? Hmmm....

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Three of these guys are competing for the ECW title this Sunday. MVP being the odd man out. MVP goes after Kane using his superior speed. Kane clocks him with that uppercut and manages a basement dropkick (called by JR). That's a big move for a big dude. Kane grabs the arm and takes it to the mat. Show tags in to press MVP. Henry gets tagged. Looked reluctant. Henry is the aggressor but Show matches him for body shots. Kane gets picked off and Henry squashes him enough for MVP to get a tag and lay in the boots. He kicks Kane in the head leaving him groggy. MVP grinds away with a headlock but gets reversed into a sidewalk slam. Foley discusses the contract issues between MVP and The Chimp. Interesting concept. MVP was actively trying to get traded to Raw during the draft. MVP bails. "You get your ass in there" @ Henry. Henry throws him back in, which is a bit of a babyface play. Kane chokeslams MVP for the pin.

This was a match that helped to elevate the feud between the 3 Mammoths...as well as give MVP something to do. This guy looks seriously unhappy on Smackdown. Dont know whether its storyline or if he is genuinely unhappy..only time will tell. As for the other 3...boy I cant wait for their Triple Threat match this Sunday at Night of Champions!! Who else is lookin forward to it? Anyone? No..? Ah screw it......

*The Chimp is backstage talking to her wedding planner, Alysha Fox, explaining how she wants the wedding to be "perfect"...somehow I dont see things turning out so perfectly on her special day! Edge charges in to complain about Batista stealing his title and how cheap it was. Vickie says he's off the show soon so no worries.

Hawkins starts with Finlay who bitchslaps both Edgeheads. Hornswoggle charges in and they both do the Earthquake butt splashes. Finlay gets picked off with a suplex. The Edgeheads keep him isolated, although there's little point in that, and cut the ring off. Finlay backdrops Ryder out of the ring and Hawkins takes the Celtic Cross. Tadpole Splash! Finish! (Brief I know...but not a fan of comedic matches).

Post Match Miz & Morrison come out to point at the challengers for the PPV. Yes...pointing. I pray to God that they retain the belts...I dont doubht Finlays ability to carry a Tag Title but Hornswoggle? I mean come on! The prestige of the belts will be lost forever. These belts were held by teams like LOD and The Hardyz. Miz and Morrison victory at NOC please....

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No titles on the line as these two old enemies pair up. Edge has no title belt and looks irritated. Foley talks about the vendetta these two had a few years back that got really personal. Crowd are pro-Hardy, as you'd expect. They go to the mat and do some counters down there. Edge stiffs Matt with an elbow. Matt comes right back with a bulldog for 2. Side Effect is blocked and Matt kicks Edge to block the spear. They counter standing again and Edge begs off. Edge charges into an armdrag. JR describes Edge's tactics as evasive speculating he's carrying an injury. They counter again and Matt uses the ropes to avoid the Edgeomatic. Edge bails so Matt hits a diving clothesline off the apron. JR says Matt is ahead on points. He goes for the 10 count punches but Edge dumps him into the Snake Eyes. Edge starts taking short cuts (trademark Edge) and chokes Matt on the ropes. Edge kicks Matt right in the middle of the face. That was harsh. He then punts him in the chest for good measure. Matt gets a second wind and fires back with strikes. He goes for the Side Effect again but Edge counters out only for Matt to counter into a backslide for 2. Matt tries for another one but Edge counters but right into the SIDE EFFECT, which is what Matt wanted anyway…for 2. Matt tries another bulldog but can't get it. He hits a 1980's style Elbow drop and scores. More countering into the DDT for 2. Matt misses a moonsault with Edge again coming up with a move to avoid Matt's offence.Edge charges but Matt sidesteps the spear. He goes for the twist of fate countered into a backslide. Nice symmetry. He uses the ropes. Matt gets a cheeky roll up but Edge kicks him off into the ref. Matt has to stop and leaves himself exposed for the SPEAR! 1-2-3!

Winner via Pinfall: Edge.

Not as good as the classics these two have had together but good all the same. Superb use of counters, reversals and familiarity. Win gives Edge some momentum going into the PPV this sunday which is vital. There was absolutely no elevation in the Matt-Chavo US Title feud...harly even a mention of it. I know every title must be defended etc but I suggest remove Matt-Chavito from the card and replace it with Y2J-HBK....now!

*We get a tribute video for Jeff Hardy with some decent music and clips. Confirms he will debut NEXT week on Smackdown. Why the hell wasnt it tonight?

*A run-through the Night of Champions card...Alot of interpromotional action is evident, which is all good considering we are just off a draft*

Just a match to showcase the divas to the crowd really although there were some moments in the match actually worth calling by JR. Also, we still have no idea who will be facing Natalya for the newly created 'Divas Championship' and if the match will even be taking place this sunday at NOC...

*We get a quick plug for Missssssterr Kennedy!. Returning to Smackdown NEXT week also. As I said with Jeff...why the hell wasnt it tonight?

Domino's first outing without Deuce and he looks badly outsized right away.Kozlov has too much power so Domino goes to the wrestling basics; a headlock. Kozlov shoves him off and shoulderblocks him over. Domino tries an arm ringer but Kozlov steps into it and gets an armdrag judo style. Kozlov controls the arm so Domino goes for punches only to get trapped and headbutted. Domino fires away and manages a flying back elbow. Domino has more pace. Kozlov kicks out at 1 and boots Domino into the corner. Domino dives off the top but Kozlov just drills him on the way down with the same devastating headbutt that winded Jamie Noble badly last week.

Winner via Pinfall: Vlad Kozlov

For once, it was not a Kozlov squash match, although it was a slightly one sided affair. The headbutt finish looked good, even cutting Kozlovs head open. (I believe his head may have grazed Dominos steel belt buckle on the way down) As for Domino, no reaction from either commentary or the fans. Unless this guy is re-packaged quick, I see him being released within months sadly.

*Backstage we see Rey Mysterio. He is preparing for his "final" appearence on the show turned him into the superstar he is. On the way, he runs into the little fella (Hornswoggle). They share a moment, Hornswoggle gives him his hat (for good luck on Raw I guess?) and gets him to do the jumping kick thing. Hornswoggle waves him goodbye. It was like something out of an Xmas Special...really made my heart warm inside. Haha!

Rey Mysterio is in the ring. He says he came here 6 years ago with a head full of dreams and expectations. And thanks to the fans he's been cruiserweight champion, tag team champion and World "Cruserweight" Champion lol. He wonders if the journey is over? Smackdown will always have a place in his heart along with its fans. He says he's after competition on Raw. He invites the fans of Smackdown to join him on his new journey. He wants the fans to help him accomplish yet more dreams. He goes on to cut a promo in Spanish. The only words of which I recognise are heart and thanks (I dropped Spanish lol). He's about to leave when an old friend, Batista, comes out with Edges world title belt. They shake hands as they'll be off to Raw together. Ahhhh Bless....

Umagas Smackdown debut. They start by slugging it out. Umaga gets the first knock down. He misses with the sit down drop though. Dave wants the Demonbomb but Umaga backdrops out of it. Umaga headbutts Dave looking to damage his stitched up head. Big splash gets 2. They slug it out again and Dave is now a touch groggy from the head shots. Umaga gets the nervehold. Dave powers up but takes a headbutt to the back of the head. Back to the nervehold. Dave with a jawbreaker to escape but Umaga catches him with a dropkick for 2. Umaga turning it up a notch there. Umaga with more headbutts. Dave is struggling to compete with those. Back to the nervehold. Dave tries to slam him but Umaga falls on top for 2. Umaga pounds away some more. Umaga charges but misses and hits the ring post. Dave has a moment to recover and connects with a few corner clotheslines. He can't shift Umaga on an Irish whip. They're sure putting him over here. Dave sneaks in a spinebuster but the Edgeheads (who?) run in and assault Batista for the DQ.

Edge and Chavo are out there too. Edge collects his belt, then they all put the boots into Batista. Umaga shoo's them away so he can beat him up himself! Edge cheers him on. ASSALANCHE! Edge directs traffic and they hold Dave in place for Umaga to attack him off the top but (surprise surprise) HHH runs in to make the save and the both clean house on La Familia...Evolution style Baiiiby! The Edgeheads take the Pedigree and Batista Bomb as the famillia run for dodge. Edge looks worried...and so he should be:)

Things are starting to look very bright on Friday Nights. I predict either Edge or HHH may lose one of their titles to the Raw brand at the PPV this Sunday but who knows? For now these two give Smackdown! tremendous starpower! With Legendary JR now calling the action....Umaga looking sweet...and Kennedy, Jeff Hardy and others yet to come (these include great workers such as Carlito, Shelton, Kendrick as well as the ever beau-tiful Maria) the future truly does look good! Oh...and roll on Night of Champions!

*By the way, I will be filling in for the Glide this week...so keep a lookout for the ECW Ex-press as ever...as well as my usual Smackdown report:)*

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!

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