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Smackdown: Last promos, last stand
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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Obviously, the main reason people tuned in this week was to see the initially
pay-per-view bound Last Man Standing Match between Undertaker and The Great
Khali. Let's take a look at who survived, as well as the results of Friday Night's
episode of Smackdown.
Match 1 - Batista vs. Sylvan
Like the result was ever in doubt. Squasharoonie here.
Winner: Batista
At this point, I have to wonder if anything will ever happen with Sylvan's
new gimmick. Methinks Rob Conway will soon be headed to Friday nights for the
return of La Resistance.
We then see a clip of the Raw Diva Search, which Layla El won. Well, personally
I was hoping for JT, but I get the feeling that many of these girls will be
hired soon.
Match 2 - Sylvester Terkay vs. Scotty II Hotty
Wow, this is turning into an episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling in a hurry.
Terkay, naturally won this one easily.
Of note - MVP was shown up in a skybox with some, *ahem*, company. The charisma
is definitely there, now it's just a question of the mat skills.
Winner: Sylvester Terkay
We then head into some hype for one of the two Smackdown matches at Summerslam
- Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. More to come later.
Backstage we next go to Kristal interviewing Brian Kendrick and Paul London.
Good move to give the champs some face-time, but naturally, KC James and Idol
Stevens join the party. The champs are quickly left laying.
Match 3 - Tatanka vs. Ken Kennedy
This week, it was Kennedy beating Tatanka with a handful of tights after a
roll-up. The match itself was okay, but these two just have such different styles.
Winner: Ken Kennedy
Post-match, Tatanka goes off on the poor ref. Again, I fear where this is going.
Batista then gets some mike time, hyping his match with King Booker.
We then head into promo spot number two for Chavito vs. Rey Rey.
Teddy Long is then shown in the back talking to MVP's agent; looks like we're
closer to getting his in-ring debut. Vicki Guerrero then comes in, asking Long
to stop the aforementioned match to not happen. Again Vicki; study some Diana
Hart tapes, please! Long, of course, says no to Vicki's request.
Match 4 - The Great Khali vs. Undertaker (Last Man Standing)
I can pretty much sum up the match like this - the bout would get a higher
rating than a normal Khali/'Taker contest, but gimmicks will always get a better
review...well, except for the Kennel from Hell match.
Anyways, 'Taker has a couple near count-outs, but we all know what was going
to happen here. 'Taker finishes off Khali with a steel stair attack and then
a Chokeslam onto a chair. Khali tries to get up but can't meet the 10-count.
Winner: Undertaker
Scary thought for the week - each man now has a win in this feud. Think WWE
will risk the rubber match?
A Boogeyman promo then airs. It seems to me that the "right" thing
to do would be to have Boogey turn heel and battle 'Taker, but I somehow think
that the fans would still cheer on the monster.
Match 5 - Big Vito vs. Scott Fowler
And so, after a brief run of actual Smackdown action, we get back into Superstars
mode. Vito wins with the Armani Lock.
Winner: Big Vito
Match 6 - Bobby Lashley vs. Fit Finlay (United Stats Title match)
Now why is this not on the PPV? Oh right, because Raw needed to have what...
four matches?
The match itself is fairly good, but the premise here is William Regal first
getting his licks in on Finlay, then stopping Lashley from winning the belt.
A three-way gimmick match seems inevitable with these guys.
Winner: Fit Finlay (DQ)
King Booker and the M.A.D.E. then come out to wrap up the go-home show. Booker
once again goes all out in his new gimmick. Makes you wonder if the fans will
turn him face because it's simply an over-the-top character, much like Boogeyman.
Batista, naturally comes out eventually, and Booker presents him with the option
of kissing his foot instead of being embarassed at the PPV. The Animal looks
like he's going to accept the "generous" offer, but ends up beating
up the king. Could a Kiss My Foot match be in the future for these two?
Jon Waldman has been with SLAM! since 2000.
