The Smackdown! Report (04/14/06): US Champ JBL vs. Benoit (Steel Cage); Angle vs. Orton (KOTR Round 1)
Submitted by Chad Matthews on Friday, April 14, 2006 at 10:05 PM EST





The Smackdown! Report (04/14/06)

The show began with a look inside the ring, where there was a red carpet, throne, and wardrobe befitting the next King of the Ring. Booker T then came out w/ his wife, Sharmell, stared at the throne and wardrobe once inside the ring, and called Smackdown free of the Boogeyman thanks to the restraining order he got last week. He insisted that his losing ways were over and that he would prove it by winning the KOTR tournament. Claiming that the King of the Ring made Bret Hart and Steve Austin’s careers, Book implied that winning the tournament would help him get his to reach new heights. As a former WCW Champion, Book was adamant that he could defeat any of the talent in this year’s tournament, including Chris Benoit, Finlay, Mark Henry, Lashley, Kurt Angle, Matt Hardy, and Randy Orton. He proceeded to don the king’s outfit and go around pretending to knight people with a scepter. To close the segment, Bobby Lashley came to the ring and speared the Bookerman. (CMV1 note- good opening segment w/ Booker continuing to be a really entertaining heel on the microphone. Could this Lashley-Book ordeal be a preview of the finals?)

Some of the Green Bay Packers were in the crowd tonight.


Match 1: WWE Tag Team Champion Johnny Nitro (w/ Melina and Mercury) vs. Brian Kendrick (w/ Paul London
-(CMV1 note- prior to the match, highlights were shown of last week’s solid, non-title tag team match that saw London and Kendrick get the surprise victory). Nitro started things off with a quick knee lift, but Kendrick came back with multiple jumping forearm shots. Johnny took control when he threw Brian neck first across the second rope. He then tossed him to the outside, where Melina and Mercury double teamed him. Back in the ring, Nitro caught Kendrick with a running knee lift. Brian started a comeback with a missile dropkick off the top rope and a unique neck breaker. He proceeded to the top rope, but Mercury pushed him off, allowing Nitro to score a near fall. London came into the ring and went soaring over the top rope to take out Mercury. Meanwhile, Kendrick hopped up on Nitro’s shoulders and pinned him with a victory roll. Kendrick defeated Nitro at 3:04. (CMV1 rating- ½ *) (CMV1 note- solid work during a really short match-up).

Highlights of the William Regal and Pirate Burchill agreement are aired. As per the agreement, Burchill’s win gave him the right to make Regal dress up tonight as a “buxom wench.” They then cut backstage, where Burchill was looking for “lady Regal” and once he saw him, he had a nice laugh.

A video promo aired for WWE 24/7’s “This Week in Wrestling History”

Match 2: Pirate Burchill vs. Rasheed Brown
-Before the match, Burchill insisted that Regal swing out to the ramp on the rope that Burchill himself uses for his entrance. Regal tried, but ended up falling flat on his face. Burchill continued to have his laughs by poking Regal in the behind with his sword. Meanwhile, Cole announced that Regal had to dress like that until Burchill loses a match. Once the match finally began, the much larger Brown got in some lumbering offense. However, when Regal tried to interfere on Brown’s behalf, Burchill defeated the jobber with the C4 (which I believe they are now calling “Walking the Plank.” (CMV1 rating- ¼ *). (CMV1 note- nothing to it…just a way to let Burchill show some personality).


Backstage, Kurt Angle was interviewed about losing the World Heavyweight Championship and facing Randy Orton tonight in round 1 of the KOTR tourney. Angle started by congratulating Rey Mysterio on winning the title, but made sure to make mention of how displeased he was about losing despite not taking the fall. In fact, Angle is very upset…and he plans to take out all his aggression on the Legend Killer tonight.

A classic moment of the King of the Ring tournament aired, highlighting Bret Hart’s win in the first PPV version of the tournament back in 1993 (specifically the final round where he beat Bam Bam Bigelow).


Match 3: Matt Hardy vs. The Road Warrior
-(CMV1 note- prior to the match, highlights of Animal attacking Hardy on Velocity aired). They brawled outside for a short time with Animal dominating and grabbing a steel chair. In the ring, Hardy prevented the use of the chair and hit the Twist of Fate for the win. Hardy defeated Animal. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *) (CMV1 note- that pretty much buried Animal…nice to see Hardy get a win heading into his KOTR match against the Bookerman).


Cole and Tazz introduced a video highlight package detailing Rey Mysterio’s quest for and eventual capturing of the World Heavyweight Championship. It was essentially the same thing we saw last week. They started at the Rumble, went through Rey losing his shot to Orton and then being added to the match via TRL, and then the triple threat match at Wrestlemania. (CMV1 note- they showed the EXACT same thing last week in the build-up to the Orton-Mysterio match).

A video hype promo for the debut of the Miz aired (and once again, Palmer Cannon wanted to let us know that the “Network” doesn’t endorse him).


Match 4: Steel Cage Match- United States Champion JBL (w/ Jillian Hall) vs. Chris Benoit
-(CMV1 note- it was announced prior to the match that the reason that the Great American celebration was cancelled was that Benoit wanted to use his rematch clause…Jillian was looking incredible tonight). Prior to the match, Smackdown GM Teddy Long came out to announce that it was going to be a cage match, as apparently it wasn’t clear in the first place. Benoit seemed happy, while JBL looked scared. As the match began, Benoit came right at JBL with kicks to the gut and several forearm shots. JBL managed to avoid Benoit’s first attempt at tossing his head into the steel, but Benoit stayed on him. Bradshaw got in an early escape attempt when he caught Benoit with a shoulder tackle and immediately rushed up the cage. Benoit caught him and brought him down hard. It appeared as if Benoit might try to escape, as well, but JBL got back up quickly and sent Benoit crashing to the mat with a back drop off the top rope. A swinging neck breaker later and JBL was back up trying to escape. Benoit quickly brought him down to the mat and unleashed the first knife-edge chop of the match. He followed with a snap suplex and went for the Sharpshooter, but JBL powered out. JBL with a short-armed clothesline, followed by several elbow drops to take control. The champion continued to stay on the offensive with several right hand shots to the face. He then tried to escape again, but barely made it past the ropes, as Benoit took him down to the mat and unleashed more chops. JBL used a thumb to the eye to give him another chance to escape, but Benoit came up after him and headbutted him repeatedly. Bradshaw, despite being dazed, mustered up the energy to simply toss Benoit off the top rope. Rather than attempt an escape, JBL tried to do the Three Amigo vertical suplexes. He managed two of them, but Benoit countered the third and attempted to lock in the Sharpshooter. Bradshaw battled out and mounted Benoit for punches, but Benoit against countered. He tried to lock in the Crippler Crossface, but JBL rolled out. Then it was Benoit’s turn at the Three Amigos. After nailing the three verticals, Benoit went to the top rope for the Diving Headbutt and connected on it! Unfortunately for Benoit, he was slow to make the cover, so instead the former champion tried to climb the cage and escape. He made it as far as the top of the cage before JBL caught up to him and brought him down off the top rope with a Side Russian Leg Sweep! We then got a dreaded mid-match commercial break, but that was to be expected. Back from the break, Benoit was headbutting the champion. He then headed up the cage for another escape attempt, but JBL grabbed his foot and caught him with an electric chair off the top rope! JBL into the cover and he’s got 1…2…No! Benoit kicked out and eventually tried to comeback, but JBL got him in a sleeper hold that brought the Crippler to his knees. Benoit’s arm went down once…twice…but not thrice! He then fought out of the hold with a back body drop. Both men struggled to their feet. JBL looked exhausted as he got to a vertical base and tried for a short-armed clothesline, but Benoit countered and hit two consecutive German suplexes. JBL countered the third attempt and caught Benoit with a big boot as he came running off the ropes. Despite showing fatigue, the champion tried to climb the cage over in the far corner. Benoit made it to his feet, climbed up to catch JBL, and delivered a German suplex off the top rope! Holy Shit! The Crippler then tried to crawl out of the door, but JBL grabbed his leg. Jillian, at that point, was trying to close the door on Benoit’s face, but the ref restrained her. Meanwhile, JBL got Benoit away from the door and tried to exit it himself. Unfortunately, Jillian didn’t notice that, as she escaped the ref’s clutches and slammed the cage door right in her man’s face. Benoit took advantage and locked in the Crossface. JBL tapped, but Jillian made up for her mistake by distracting the ref. Back on their feet, JBL and Benoit struggled to try to reach the door. Benoit tried to dispose of the champ with a German suplex, but JBL mule kicked him in the groin area and jumped out of the door for the win. JBL retained the US title at 18:49. (CMV1 rating- ****) (CMV1 note- Excellent steel cage match with some good work in the ring to compliment some really exciting high spots off the cage. That German suplex off the top rope spot was brutal, as was the Side Russian Leg Sweep. As for them rushing what I assume was the payoff match for this event, I’m intrigued to see what they’ve decided to do. I’m doing my best to be too presumptuous).

Another classic moment of the King of the Ring tournament aired, highlighting Austin’s post-KOTR winning speech that featured the classic line “Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass.”

Highlights aired of the situation involving the Undertaker and his latest large opponent, Dalip Singh. Davairi came to the ring with Dalip Singh, now known as the Great Khali, who Davairi claimed was the real phenomenon. At over 420 pounds and 7 feet tall, the Great Khali, according to Davairi, has walked through the jungles of India unafraid of anything. Khali then spoke, but I couldn’t understand anything he said. Davairi said that we would fear and worship the Great Khali. (CMV1 note- man, that’s a big dude).


Match 5: Mexicools vs. Gymini (w/ Simon Dean)
-(CMV1 note- during the Mexicools’ entrance, the camera crew flipped over to a kid in the crowd dancing ridiculously). The Gymini dominated for the first few minutes, using multiple double team power moves to gain momentum. Crazy eventually got the hot tag and used drop kicks galore to take control. He used a tornado DDT to score a near fall, but soon after the Gymini did the old switcharoo. The Gymini defeated the Mexicools. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *) (CMV1 note- geez…I feel bad for the Mexicools…this could very well be indicative of forthcoming face tag team champions).

Cole and Tazz hyped the Orton vs. Angle match coming up, and showed the KOTR tournament brackets. They announced that next week’s R1 match would be Hardy vs. Booker T. (CMV1 note- nice, at this pace they’ll end the KOTR tournament at Judgment Day, making this more than just a glorified #1 contender tournament for the next PPV).


Match 6: KING OF THE RING (ROUND 1) - Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton
-(CMV1 note- it’s quarter til’ nine right now…this isn’t going to be very long). Orton used old school heel tactics early by hiding between the ropes to avoid contact. Angle caught him with two clotheslines and a belly-to-belly suplex once he got his hands on him. He then clotheslined Orton over the top rope and to the floor. Back in the ring, Angle got the ankle lock synched in. Orton rolled through and sent Angle shoulder-first into the second turnbuckle. The Legend Killer proceeded to use the ring ropes as leverage to torque Angle’s shoulder. Orton continued to work on the arm and shoulder with an armbar w/ a butterfly grip. Angle countered out and tried for a back body drop out of an Irish whip, but Orton jumped over him looking for a sunset flip. Kurt avoided the attempt, rolled through, and locked in the ankle lock again. Orton kicked his way out of the hold, connected on a dropkick, and went back to work on the arm before switching over to a rear-necked choke. Angle tried to make a comeback, but Orton went back to the work on the shoulder w/ a modified key lock. Our Olympic Hero again tried to battle back, but Orton countered Angle’s attempt to clothesline him back over the top rope by back dropping him over the top. Angle landed really awkwardly on his leg, but managed to eventually make it to the apron. Orton tried to suplex Angle back into the ring, but Angle countered and suplexed Randy over the top rope! The Legend Killer landed about as awkwardly as Angle did. In the ring, Angle struggled to his feet. Meanwhile, Orton barely beat the 10-count, but fell victim to three consecutive German suplexes. Angle then positioned himself and attempt the Angle Slam, but Orton countered and hit his patented and unique backbreaker for a close near fall. Randy then set-up for the RKO, but Angle countered the attempt by simply throwing Orton’s head back against the mat. He proceeded right to the ankle lock. Orton struggled for a few seconds, but tapped out. Angle defeated Orton via submission at 8:11. (CMV1 rating- ** ½). After the match, Angle went back to the ankle lock on multiple occasions before eventually “breaking Orton’s ankle.” As the show faded to black, Orton writhed in pain as Angle walked to the back. (CMV1 note- good match given the lack of time. It’s a shame Orton is so damn immature, for he and Angle would’ve had some great matches if you ask me. Maybe one day he’ll grow up, but until then he’ll have to watch as someone else takes his spot and runs with the ball. I’m a big supporter of Orton and have been for a long time, but there’s no excuse for acting the way he reportedly does, especially when everything you’ve got in this business has been handed right to you on a silver platter. Anyhow, Angle moves on in the tournament to face the winner of Book vs. Hardy…I hope his ankle is okay because he looked like he kind of had it tangled under him when he took that bump over the top rope).



All in all…Another good Smackdown, in my opinion. I really enjoyed the stuff surrounding the KOTR tournament, including the looks back at past tourneys, the opening segment with Booker, and the short, yet really well-done match with Angle and Orton. Of course, the highlight of the night was the legit TV MOTY candidate b/t Benoit and JBL. Hats off to those two guys for really taking some nasty bumps for a TV match. The tag title feud is heating up and is enjoyable, as well. All that being said, I’ll go with a 6.5/10 and call it a night …





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