WWE News: Mysterio, Angle, Cole, Henry, and Lashley talk about SD tonight
Submitted by Matthew Tremley on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 5:51 PM EST







• Tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown is becoming one of the more hyped up editions in a while. The company is going out of their way to promote the Rey Mysterio/Kurt Angle match for the World Heavyweight Championship, as well as the Henry/Lashley match in the first round of the King of the Ring Tournament. Here is a few quick interviews that WWE.com conducted with Angle, Mysterio, Henry, Lashley, and Michael Cole about tonight's Smackdown:
  
  - Kurt Angle:
  
  Tonight on SmackDown, Kurt Angle attempts to reclaim what he feels is rightfully his - the World Heavyweight Championship. Just hours before his main event match with Rey Mysterio, the Wrestling Machine talked with WWE.com backstage at Wembley Arena.
  
  As expected, Kurt Angle’s words were brief, but intense. The former Champion wasn’t interested in talking about strategy or potential game plans. He did, however, offer his opinion of the current title-holder. “Rey is a great Champion,” admits Angle. “He’s proven himself time and time again and he deserves to be Champion, but nobody deserves to be Champion more than me.”
  
  When asked about his motivation for tonight’s match, Angle suddenly took a more serious tone. “I never lost the title at WrestleMania. I never got pinned, I never tapped out. That Championship belongs to me, and tonight, I’m going to win MY title back.”
  
  - Rey Mysterio:
  
  Tonight on SmackDown, Rey Mysterio defends the World Heavyweight Championship against former Champion Kurt Angle. For Rey, the ultimate underdog story became a reality when he captured the title at WrestleMania 22, but his success came at Angle’s expense. Just hours before his main event match, Mysterio talked with WWE.com about the emotions surrounding this match.
  
  When approached, Rey appeared to be very relaxed, and was still thrilled about his WrestleMania victory. Before discussing his challenger for tonight, Rey briefly talked about how his life has changed since becoming World Heavyweight Champion. “After 16 years of giving my all, and fighting the odds, I finally got my chance to fight for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. Since that day, I’ve been living a dream come true,” says Rey backstage at Wembly Arena.
  
  Tonight on SmackDown, however, Mysterio’s dream could come to an abrupt end when he faces Kurt Angle. With that in mind, the Champ explained to WWE.com that he expects the Wrestling Machine to come out and go right for the Ankle Lock. The devastating finisher has always been a strong tool for Angle, and tonight it could be even more valuable, as Rey’s legs and feet are his most dangerous weapons in the ring.
  
  On top of all that, Mysterio also expects an even more intense Angle this time around. “Since I pinned Randy Orton at WrestleMania, I think he feels that his Championship was stolen from him. Because of that, I expect him to come out more focused, and try harder than ever to get his Championship back.”
  
  So what does Rey have in mind to combat Angle’s attack? “My strategy is simple,” claims Rey. “I’m going to go out there and work hard like I’ve done for the last 16 years. I am going to do whatever it takes to walk back through that curtain with the Championship around my waist.”
  
  But Rey knows there is a possibility he may not walk out of tonight’s match with the Championship. And if the worst-case scenario does in fact occur, Rey is prepared. “If this is indeed my last day as World Heavyweight Champion, I am going to look back and know that I lived out my dream, and enjoyed every minute of it.”
  
  - Mark Henry & Bobby Lashley:
  
  Just hours before SmackDown, Mark Henry talked to WWE.com backstage at Wembley Arena about his participation in this year’s King of the Ring tournament. Henry, who will face Lashley in battle of two of the most powerful men on SmackDown, had the following to say about becoming King:
  
  “Being a king is having power, and having respect” explained Henry. “I have all of those qualities, and I should be, and WILL be, the King of the Ring.”
  
  When approached to comment about this career-changing opportunity, Lashley simply told WWE.com that he will do his talking in the ring. He then respectfully declined further comment.
  
  - Michael Cole:
  
  Michael Cole has filed the following report backstage from Wembley Arena, the site of tonight’s SmackDown:
  
  There is always an incredibly exciting feeling as time ticks away towards the start of another Friday Night SmackDown. But the atmosphere here in the Wembley Arena here in London, England, is much different today. There is a big-fight feel. Everyone in the locker room is talking/debating about who will win the World Heavyweight Championship match between Rey Mysterio and the challenger Kurt Angle. Many Superstars are wondering if Rey can keep the title, others are predicting the end of Mysterio’s miracle reign.
  
  Mysterio arrived early, and is enjoying his time as Champion. Angle is here as well. As always, he looks focused and intense. Angle was never pinned, nor did he submit at WrestleMania when he lost his Championship. He was the victim of Triple Threat rules. The Wrestling Machine vows to win back the title tonight. We know what Kurt Angle is capable of as he pursues the Championship, and when he gets in a zone. Look at what he did to Randy Orton’s ankle in a King of the Ring opening round match a few weeks ago. But what is Rey Mysterio willing to do, to keep the title? I guess we’ll find out tonight. From Wembley Arena in London, England.
  
  Credit: WWE.com
  

  
  

  
  
  

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