The Smackdown! Report (06/02/06): Angle's SD Farewell Match (vs. Rey Mysterio)
Submitted by Chad Matthews on Friday, June 2, 2006 at 10:02 PM EST





Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come, once again, for me to say goodbye to Smackdown. It’s been a great 9 months, but the opportunity to review a live show has opened up and I’ll be taking the post as the new ECW reporter. I want to thank all those that have taken the time to send me feedback, as it’s always been greatly appreciated. My hope now is that one of you readers will step up to the plate and take over for me as the SD reporter/recapper. If you do want to take on the challenge, simply email me or the webmaster of LOP, Calvin Martin.


The Smackdown! Report (06/02/06)

The show opened with the introduction of Smackdown’s new “host,” Mike Mizanin. The Miz ran down the card for tonight’s show.


Match 1: World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle
-(CMV1 note- In what was billed as Angle’s farewell match, a non-title match, Paul Heyman joined commentary, hugged Tazz, and called Kurt Angle the best in the world). Angle scored first strike points with a quick takedown and several embarrassing slaps to the head. Kurt then tossed Rey into the corner and went for a running shoulder thrust, but Mysterio moved, causing Angle to go flying shoulder-first into the ring post. The champion then attempted 10 mounted punches in the corner, but Angle stopped the assault and slammed Rey down with a powerbomb. Angle continued to dominate for a couple of sequences, but Rey came back and the two had a nice series of counters that eventually ended in a standoff and stare down. We then got a dreaded mid-match commercial break, but I guess that was to be expected. Back from the break, Angle was in control and stayed in control for several sequences. Rey attempted a comeback, but it was short-lived as Angle connected on an over-the-head belly-to-belly suplex. Angle continued his offense assault until Rey got back some momentum with a DDT. Mysterio followed with a tilt-a-whirl head scissor and proceeded to hit the Seated Senton for a close near fall. Badly needing to mount some offense, Angle connected with a German suplex and got back in control. He then stalked Rey like a shark and caught the WHC with the Angle Slam. 1…2…No! Rey got his foot on the ropes! Once he reached his feet, Rey used Angle’s frustration to set him up for the 619…and he hit it before looking for a frog splash. Unfortunately for Rey, Angle is like a God in the ring and ran up the ring ropes like stair steps. Kurt tried to front suplex Rey to the mat, but Mysterio countered and managed a sunset flip from the top rope. As the two hit the mat, Kurt rolled, countered, and synched in the ankle lock. Mysterio countered and sent Angle into 619 position, but when the champ tried to hit his signature move for the second time, Angle caught his legs and tried for the ankle lock. Rey countered the counter and caught Angle with a roll-up for a close near fall. The finish came soon after, when Kurt hit a belly-to-belly suplex that sent Rey to the outside floor. The champ struggled to make it to his feet before the 10-count, but he just couldn’t get up quick enough. Thus, Kurt Angle defeated Rey Mysterio via count-out. (CMV1 rating- *** ¼) (CMV1 note- Really good match and a fitting end to Angle’s latest run on SD. Looking forward to reviewing his matches in ECW. During the match, Heyman announced that Rey would put the WHC on the line at ECW’s One Night Stand, against SABU! It was also announced that Angle made an open challenge for anyone to face him at ONS II).

A hype video aired for the return of Dave Batista, who will be back on July 7.

Backstage, Bobby Lashley was interviewed about winning the US Championship last week from JBL. He said that he planned on being a different kind of champion than JBL, one who rather than demand respect will earn it. Tonight, Lashley will face Booker T.


Match 2: Matt Hardy vs. Nunzio
-In a short match, Hardy defeated Nunzio via Twist of Fate. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *). After the match, Vito came out in drag and freaked out his tag team partner. (CMV1 note- I’m not too keen on this whole cross-dressing angle).

The Miz came out to introduce Rowdy Roddy Piper for a special edition of Piper’s Pit. The Hot Scot came down to the ring and said that the WWE had made a habit of calling him whenever there was a hot button issue. The hot button issue he was referring to on this night was the Great Khali. Roddy said that he won’t believe the hype surrounding the behemoth until he sees him with his own two eyes. At that point, Khali and Davairi came to the ring. Khali quickly became the brunt of several Piper wise cracks before Davairi took issue. Roddy said that the Undertaker, whom Khali destroyed at Judgment Day, was one of the toughest guys in WWE history. Davairi called Khali the new phenom of the WWE and implied that Taker’s days were over. Khali then grabbed Piper, but Davairi tried to hold him back. Unfortunately, Piper attacked Davairi, prompting Khali to headbutt and chop the Hall-of-Famer.


Match 3: Jillian Hall vs. Kristal
-(CMV1 note- prior to the match, Ashley Massaro was introduced as the newest SD diva. Ashley joined commentary for the match). Jillian beat Kristal. (CMV1 rating- no rating). After the match, Michelle McCool made her return sporting a new, schoolteacher gimmick. (CMV1 note- Well, they crammed a debut, a match, and a return into one segment. Divas don’t really serve much of a purpose on the blue brand).


Match 4: Mark Henry vs. Paul Burchill
-In another short squash match, Henry defeated Burchill. After the match, Henry splashed Burchill against the ring post. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *) (CMV1 note- well, I guess Burchill needed some time off, too)

A video hype promo aired for the return of MIS-TER KEN-NEDY…KENNEDY!!! (CMV1 note- still can’t wait to see him come back).

Match 5: Finlay vs. A. Jobber
-In another squash, Finlay destroyed Jobber. Finlay’s little “leprechaun” made another appearance, again acting as Finlay’s human weapon lawn dart. (CMV1 rating- ¼ *) (CMV1 note- what’s with all the short matches?).

Tazz challenged Jerry Lawler to a match at ONS.


Match 6: US Champion Bobby Lashley vs. King of the Ring Booker T (w/ Sharmell and William Regal
-(CMV1 note- this was a non-title match). Regal introduced Book and repeated the phrase, “All Hail King Booker!” Book came down to the ring all smiles and sat down in his throne. He introduced Sharmell as his queen. We then got a commercial break. Once the match began, Lashley backed Book into the corner, but then backed away for a clean break. Another lock-up followed, with Book gaining first strike points with a knee to the gut and several clubbing blows. Lashley quickly took control, though, with a body slam and a strong-armed clothesline. He then locked on a front face lock, but Book drove him back into the middle of the ropes and caught him with a knee to the gut. Book followed with chops, but Lashley came back with forearm shots. Book then took control by hanging Bobby’s neck over the top rope. He then walked to the apron and hung Bobby’s neck over the top rope again. Book tried to keep momentum going with a vertical suplex, but Lashley blocked it and hit one of his own. The US Champ followed with a running clothesline in the corner. Book ducked his next move and hit a pressing kick. King Booker controlled from there until Lashley made his comeback with multiple belly-to-belly suplexes. The 5-time WCW champ tried one last ditch attempt to keep from losing all momentum, but Lashley sidestepped his attempt at a crescent heel kick and hit a running powerslam. 1…2…3! Lashley pinned King Book. (CMV1 rating- * ½). After the match, Regal and Finlay attacked Lashley. Book proceeded to hit the Book End and the Scissor’s Kick, allowing Finlay and Regal to make Bobby bow down and kiss the King’s boot. (CMV1 note- a solid, but short match with plenty of entertainment before and after the match to boot)


All in all…The opening match and the closing match/segment were the saving graces on an otherwise boring show. Four short squashes were placed in b/t the great Angle-Mysterio match and the solid Book-Lashley bout…and to me that just doesn’t cut it. I had heard that the show was re-written several times on the day of the tapings, and I must admit that it came off as if the rumor was true. It just didn’t flow well and there wasn’t any particularly interesting content outside of the aforementioned opening and closing segments. However, the good on tonight’s show was really good…so, I’ll give this show a 6/10 and call it a night…





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