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Smackdown: Setting the stage for the Rumble
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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Smackdown is building to the Royal Rumble this week, and with only a couple
shows left to go we'll here one thing a lot this week, guaranteed - "I'm
going to eliminate 29 other men and go on to WrestleMania to be the champ."
And indeed we get that right off the bat from Chris Jericho, who's sporting
quite the bruise from his encounter with Mike Tyson. Jericho, by the way, also
seems to accept his fate of only being on Smackdown. His promo precedes our
opening bout...
Match 1: Chris Jericho vs. John Morrison
Good test match to see if these two can jive, and indeed they can. I'm guessing
this was a test run, amidst the Drew McIntyre angle for Morrison. Drew, by the
way, was respectfully sitting ringside much of the match, until the end when
his distraction caused Morrison to be Codebroken (or is that Codebreakered?),
giving Jericho the duke.
Winner: Jericho
CM Punk and Luke Gallows are out next, and it's another cultfest. Their subject
this week, Trevor, was much more willing to join the Straight Edge Society.
Great segment, as Punk really is getting into this version of his character.
Match 2: Straight Edge Society vs. Hart Dynasty vs. Cryme Tyme vs. Matt
Hardy/Great Khali (Tag Team Title #1 contender match)
Hardy and Khali? Really?
I really hate these matches. The only way another team will tag in is a blind
tag, making spots so contrived.
SES ends up winning the match after the usual spot shmozz.
Winners: Straight Edge Society
Undertaker's out next and cuts a long promo after his long entrance. Seriously.
The big news of the day is that 'Taker's essentially already looking past the
Royal Rumble match to Shawn Michaels at 'Mania. You know what that means kids
- HBK costs him the match at RR.
Match 3 - Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix
Not a bad match, but only serves to make Mickie look back. Methinks she's on
her way out of the Fed with her music career on the horizon. Beth gets DQ'd
for putting Mickie in the Tree of Woe for too long... okay...
Winner: Mickie James (DQ)
Post-match, Team Lay Cool come in and beat Mickie up. I'm really sick of this
crap. Look for title vs. career at 'Mania.
Dolph Ziggler then cuts a promo as Kane awaits him in the ring. More Rumble
hype.
Match 4 - Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane
More decent wrestling from these two, as Kane gets the upper hand this time.
Winner: Kane
Rey Mysterio is interviewed next as he makes his way to the entrace for tonight's
main event.
Match 5 - Rey Mysterio vs. Batista (Cage match/World Title #1 contender
match)
Bad match. Mysterio get squashed most of the match but escapes a Batista Bomb,
leading to him fleeing the cage.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Very average show tonight, nothing to write home about.
