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Welcome back to the Smackdown report. We've got an interesting line-up ahead of us, so let's get right to it.
We start off with Teddy Long announcing a Last Ride match between Mr. Kennedy and The Undertaker and MVP vs. Kane in an Inferno match at Armageddon. He quickly goes into introducing the new World Heavyweight Champion, Batista. It isn't long, though, before King Booker and the M.A.D.E. make their way to the ring. End result is a Triple Threat match for the World Title later tonight.
Match 1 - MNM vs. Brian Kendrick/Paul London
This, as mentioned by Michael Cole, is a rematch of sorts since it was MNM that
London and Kendrick beat to get the tag titles. Nice bit of continuity there,
but the match itself kills the continuity of the "one night only"
reunion of MNM at D2D.
London and Kendrick get their usual heated offence, including stereo Tope Canadiens until MNM gets control and shows wicked timing, as if they had never split. JBL talks about the golden era of tag teams with the Hardyz, Dudleyz, APA and Edge and Christian and how there is now a renaissance. Well, if MNM and the Hardyz stay together and are all on one show, I'd actually buy that argument.
Eventually, during a heat segment for MNM, William Regal and Dave Taylor attack London on the outside, which leads to the victory for MNM.
Winners: MNM
Back in the locker room, Mr. Kennedy and MVP have it out. MVP just looks so bush league in this feud. He needs more seasoning before going into a main event feud.
Match 2 - Batista vs. Fit Finlay vs. King Booker (World Hevyweight Title
Match)
Okay, as I mute the M.A.D.E., I'll make a quick point here that not only has
DX secured the main event spot on Raw, but The Undertaker has done the same
on Smackdown. None of these men, by the way, are in the title picture.
I'll say this - Batista is just about back to his old form. Just like he showed something new with the top rope tackle at Survivor Series, here he adds to his arsenal with a logroll. Maybe now he can stop the Ultimate Warrior/Goldberg impression. A deep thought during the break - none of the men in the ring, including ref Nick Patrick, are under 35.
Finlay gets an extended heat segment with Batista while Booker is on the outside. After doing the Brock Lesnar shoulder blocks, Batista pulls out the Muscle Suplex, coming close to ripping off Samoa Joe. Okay, there's a drinking game in here somewhere. Eventually, Booker recovers and gets back on top of the bout. The "dissention in the ranks" between Booker and Finlay is shown again as Finlay stops the king from wining the bout.
The control of the bout continues to shift between the combatants in what turned out to be surprisingly strong match. Eventually, Little Bastard comes in and helps Finlay attack both opponents with the international object. More chaos until Batista gets the Goldberg Spear on Finlay before finishing the Irishman off with the Batista Bomb.
Winner: Batista
Backstage after the break, Finlay, Long and Booker argue. To solve the problem, Long makes a tag team match for Armageddon with the two facing Batista and a partner of his choosing.
Elsewhere, Chavo Guerrero and Vicki bash Chris Benoit for injuring her. Okay, this disrespectful angle has just turned into an even sicker story.
Match 3 - Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero
While the angle certainly makes me sick, the matches Benoit and Chavito have
had are awesome and this one follows suit.
Chavito does a great job in the bout, eventually stealing the victory, rolling Benoit up after Vicki get on the apron and, of course, holding the tights.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero
Backstage, Batista has a phone conversation with his partner at Armageddon.
Match 4 - Layla El vs. Kristal Marshall
Layla defends her title of worst Diva Search Winner admirably in this bout,
while, surprisingly, Kristal shows some decent talent in the ring, pulling out
the Curt Hennig neck snap. Within seconds, the match is over. It should be noted
that the fans booed the ending, which was pretty weak.
Winner: Kristal Mashall
Backstage, Long gets Batista to spill the beans on his partner, who is John Cena. You know, they really could've drawn this out for a week or two.
Match 5 - MVP vs. Undertaker
Let's make this short and sweet - Undertaker and MVP fight for a while, Kennedy
comes out to interfere, MVP outsmarts him once again, 'Taker starts beating
up Kennedy, MVP comes back in, Kane comes out, Brothers of Destruction do the
usual until the heels escape to end the show.
Winner: none announced
Well, this did a good job of establishing three matches for Armageddon while setting up two others. With Miz and Boogeyman feuding and Gregory Helms ready to take on an opponent at any time, I'd say we have a pretty solid card set for the PPV with a couple weeks to spare. Nice job by the Smackdown writing crew.
Jon Waldman has been with SLAM! since 2000.