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Smackdown: A "slick" episode to close July
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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Welcome to the last Smackdown recap of July. We get one step closer to Summerslam
and the main event between Kane and Rey Mysterio. Let's take a look at what
WWE cooked up for us Friday night.
We kick off tonight's show with Kane in the ring in soliloquy, talking about
what happened to The Undertaker. We find out that Undertaker has awoken from
his vegitative state and identified his assailant as Rey Mysterio (or at least
that's what Kane is leading us to believe, since he says 'Taker only said two
words - Rey's name).
I have to stop for a second now and say the visual effects have been nothing
short of amazing through Kane's promos. WWE's production and video editing deserve
an Emmy for this. Seriously.
Back from break we learn about tonight's main event - Rey vs. Jack Swagger.
Okay, these guys have good chemistry but this is too many times they've fought
in such a short timespan.
Match 1 - Christian vs. Drew MacIntyre
WWE's been building a decent upper mid-card grouping here with Drew, Christian,
Matt Hardy
The match here is pretty good with a couple decently innovative spots, including
Drew slipping under the ring and, when Christian goes looking, Drew pulls him
right into the mat, injuring the Canuck's shoulder.
As the mtatch progresses the two go back and forth in offence, drawing the
crowd in very well. Eventually Christian gets the duke after reversing a Future
Shock attempt into a small package. Great match, worth sourcing if you missed
it the first time.
Winner: Christian
Back from break we go into another Alberto Del Rio promo. Really, they started
out okay, but this has been going on way too long.
To "live" TV we go again and Punk is berating the Straight Edge Society.
Hey look, his hair's growing back in. Great promo as Punk tears new ones for
Serena, Joey Mercury and Luke Gallows.
Match 2: Luke Gallows vs. Big Show
Match doesn't last long, but we do get a fun spot as Tony Chimel holds the
mic to Gallows' chest as Show slaps it. Nice!
Eventually, the action heads outside and the SES attack en masse.
Winner: Big Show (DQ)
The slaughter continues after the bell rings with Punk and Serena stomping
Show's hand against the steps as he's restrained by Gallows and Mercury. Looked
pretty impressive even though it didn't get much of a reaction from the crowd.
Match 3 - Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
Another solid match here, but not quiet as enjoyable as our first bout. Ziggler
pulls out some impressive offence though before Kofi goes nuts and causes a
DQ for... something...
Winner: Dolph Ziggler (DQ)
The impressive beating continues post-match as Vickie helplessly looks on.
Very good build here for Kofi as more than just a high-flyer.
Backstage, Josh Mathews interviews Jack Swagger, with the expected promise
of destruction of Rey Rey tonight.
Match 4 - Tiffany vs. Layla (Women's Title Match)
Vickie comes out before our match begins and changes it to...
Match 4 - Tiffany vs. Michelle McCool (Women's Title Match)
Ah hell... Enjoy your wedding present Michelle. The two take forever to set
up a Superplex spot, then Layla gets involved (which draws Kelly over), which
soon after leads to the Styles Clash.
Winner: Michelle McCool
Post-match, Teddy Long makes an appearance on the screen and says there can
only be one Women's champ.
We then head into our second Del Rio vignette of the night, and dear god this
is getting annoying. Watch for him to FINALLY debut after Summerslam.
Match 5 - Jack Swagger vs. Rey Mysterio (No DQ Match)
I just could not get into this match. Maybe it's because of the 2/3 Falls bout,
which was awesome, last week.
Eventually, the two end up in the crowd and get pretty brutal in their assaults.
Swagger eventually drags Rey backstage and continues the violence in the consession
area. We eventually head outside the arena. I think we can officially call this
a no-contest right?
Winner: None (no contest)
The violence continues outside as on-freaking-coming traffic comes through
a couple times. Swagger eventually carries Mysterio over to the Gulf of Mexico...
oh crap, he's going to give Rey the old oil treatment! The bastard!
Mysterio eventually fights back, slickly, and ends up giving Swagger the good
ol' BP Plunge. Swagger drifts off to sea as Rey turns around, straight into
a BP Plunge of his own courtesy of Kane.
Okay, the last part of the show was bad but we got two above-average matches,
one of which is a must-see. Overall, that makes Jonny a happy reviewer.
See everyone at the next fill-in day.
Jon Waldman has been with SLAM! since 2000. Follow Jon on Twitter by clicking here.
