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Smackdown: Melina feels the splash
By
ANDY MCNAMARA - SLAM! Wrestling
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Coming off of receiving the most votes in the Raw vs. Smackdown tag
match at Taboo Tuesday will Matt Hardy receive his well-deserved push into
main event status? Also, Chris Benoit will surely be looking for revenge on
his ex-friend Booker T and wife Sharmell from their attack on him last week.
With the standard spoiler alert to our day-behind U.S. readers, on to the report!
Smackdown begins from Garden Grove, California with the new tag team champions, MNM, pulling up in a
limo. Teddy Long greets the trio, and informs them that they'll have to
defend their belts in the main event against Eddie Guerrero and Batista.
As the cameras cut back to the ring we see Hardcore Holly walking out
with a referee jersey on.
Match 1: Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy vs. JBL & Christian
Holly eventually sees enough out of the cheating JBL and Christian,
attacking the heels. The burial of the outgoing Christian soon begins as
Captain Charisma gets pinned after an Alabama Slam, a 619, and finally a
Twist of Fate from Hardy. The trouble with taped shows like Smackdown is
that fans have known for a couple of days that Christian is no longer with
the company, and it looks almost petty on WWE's part by laying out one of
their most loyal employees. But such is pro-wrestling tradition.
WINNER: Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy
Backstage, GM Teddy Long says he is awaiting his special guest... Raw GM
Eric Bischoff!
After the break Sharmell walks down the aisle, introducing her husband
and U.S. Champion, Booker T. Booker calls the crowd "suckas" for falling for
their plan to capture the U.S. title. Booker confirms that he was aware of
Sharmell's cheating ways all along and says he should win an Emmy for his
acting performance. Teddy Long struts out and announces that Booker will
defend the belt against Benoit right now.
Match 2: Chris Benoit vs. Booker T (c) w/ Sharmell -- U.S.
Championship
A great start to the matchup with
Benoit eventually connecting with multiple German suplexes. Booker and
Sharmell become frustrated and walk out, as Benoit stands in the ring
watching. Benoit wins the match by countout but my question is why didn't
Benoit run after them since he should be hell bent on revenge? Oh well.
WINNER: Chris Benoit by countout
Up next is Bob Orton in the ring getting ready for his match versus Rowdy
Roddy Piper. Orton runs down Piper on the mic as this old timer battle is
ready to get under way.
Match 3: Bob Orton vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper
Piper and Orton battle back and forth with Orton getting the advantage
for the majority of the contest. Some over the top selling by Piper, but
even at his age the Hot Rod can still get the fans cheering. Piper turns the
tables and almost has Orton out cold in the sleeper when Randy comes in to
break it causing Piper to win by DQ. Randy then pounds on Piper and reminds
everyone that he is "The Legend Killer". Could a Piper vs. Randy Orton match
be in the future? I sure hope not!
WINNER: Rowdy Roddy Piper by DQ
Match 4: Bobby Lashley vs. Nunzio & Big Vito in a handicapped
match
This weak rivalry hopefully has come to a close as Lashley disposes of
the Italian duo by delivering a Dominator to Nunzio.
WINNER: Bobby Lashley
In the back lot a limo pulls up and out comes Eric Bischoff. He was led
inside the building by his security guards and was briefly confronted by The
Boogie Man. We see Teddy Long in the ring and he is calling out Bischoff.
Once the Raw GM makes his way down the anticipated 5 on 5 Survivor Series
challenge between Raw and Smackdown was issued. Kind of an anti-climactic as
none of the participants were announced for the inter-brand rumble. Long
then asks Bischoff for a one-on-one match up between the two of them! Yikes!
Bischoff unfortunately accepts and that match is scheduled for the Survivor
Series as well.
Match 5: Ken Kennedy vs. Scotty 2 Hotty
This match is basically a squash with Kennedy wearing down Scotty with a
bear hug in the early going. Kennedy's forehead is bleeding a bit and he
finishes off Scotty with that awesome rolling Samoan drop manoeuvre.
WINNER: Ken Kennedy
Match 6: Eddie and Batista vs. MNM (c) for the Tag Team
Championship
An above average match with Eddie making MNM look great. The crowd is
really into this one, with Melina becoming more and more involved
throughout. The finish comes after Melina covers Mercury to try and prevent
an Eddie Frog Splash. Guerrero pauses on the top and then Frog Splash's
Melina. Mercury pulls out some brass knucks and strikes Eddie when the
referee is attending to Melina. Nitro has Batista occupied as Mercury covers
the knocked out Eddie.
WINNER: MNM
A slightly above average show, however, the Eddie and Batista angle
seems to be stuck in neutral. I know they are doing the slow build to a
feud, which is always good to see, but there doesn't seem to be any
progression in the angle. Also, Bobby Lashley needs a step up in the quality
of opponent or he will run the risk of becoming just another generic big
man.
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Eddie & Batista vs. MNM
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Wrestlemania: The Complete Anthology DVD Boxset
Andy McNamara is a SLAM! Wrestling writer from Pickering, ON. He also
writes reports for The LAW and does the play-by-play broadcasts for Durham
College sports. Make sure to check out the Great Canadian Wrestling Expo
from November 4-6 at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium. Andy can be reached at
andymcnamara@hotmail.com.
