Smackdown 13-10-2006
Submitted by Rudi Pavani on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 9:41 AM EST
Apologies for the lateness of posting due to server problems back here in Melbourne
Hello again to all out there in Wrestling land! My name's Rudi and I'm writing to you from what has been a warm week here in Melbourne with temperatures on one day reaching 36.6 Celsius (96 Fahrenheit) and we're still a month away from summer officially hitting! We're also on the fallout from No Mercy which surprised in some aspects with the matches (e.g. Hardy vs. Helms) and disappointed in a couple of others (e.g. MVP vs. jobber). For a first up set of predictions I managed 3out of 6 so not a bad first off effort in predictions though I still stand fast that Finlay will soon turn away from the dark side of the force and become one of the good guys. It was great to see Benoit back in action and I do hope that he stays away from ECW. His intensity is needed at Smackdown and he can take on all the wrestlers no matter what size and make a great match of it. Let's get the ball rolling shall we
We begin the show with a recap from No Mercy held just last Sunday or Monday morning depending what side of the planet one comes from. We've had enough reviews about No Mercy so I won't recap the highlight reel but from there we go into the opening credits. It's been a few weeks since we've seen them. The show today comes from Jacksonville Florida, and the crowd looks ready for the show. We get a bit of peek as to what is in the show, like MVP making his Smackdown wrestling debut and a Triple Threat Contenders match between Lashley, Batista, and Finlay and then straight into the show as the music of Mr. Kennedy hits and he makes his way down to the ring.
Kennedy reveals a month ago he asked Teddy Long to be transferred to Raw as he'd chewed up through opponents on the Smackdown roster and that Long in saying no mentioned that the person that Kennedy was yet to beat was The Undertaker which got a huge pop from the crowd. At No Mercy he defeated The Undertaker and it doesn't matter how he defeated him but that he did beat him. Chalk another W up on the win/loss scale. It's not good enough though according to Kennedy for Long who says there is still a wrestler yet to beat and in this show he is putting up his title and he'll beat this man he's yet to face before he heads over to Raw. The music of Chris Benoit hits and he comes out to a huge pop from the crowd! Glad to have you back Chris!
Match 1: Ken Kennedy vs. Chris Benoit (US Champion title match)
Benoit slides into the ring only to be attacked before the bell rings by Kennedy who goes straight on the offensive. Kennedy has Benoit in the corner unleashing with some kicks and punches before Benoit fights back with some chops, and then with Kennedy in the corner unleashes a couple of big chops before unloading with some knees to the gut. An Irish whip on Kennedy and Benoit follows up with a knee to the midsection somersaulting Kennedy over. Benoit unleashes another huge chop on Kennedy and follows up with a snapmare and a two count. Kennedy rolls out of the ring to regroup but Benoit is out there after him and returns him to the ring. Benoit attempts the crossface but Kennedy is up against the ropes so the break is made. It doesn't stop Benoit from then laying in some knees to the back of Kennedy who once again exits the ring. Benoit accosts him as he tries to reenter the ring only to receive a shoulder block to the midsection. The advantage is again with Kennedy who lays into Benoit against the ropes but Benoit pushes him into the corner and another big chop! That's gotta hurt! Benoit throws Kennedy into the corner and offloads again with the chops and then whips him into the opposite corner and gives a body drop to Kennedy as he staggers out. Benoit is bleeding at the mouth though at this time. Benoit again in the corner with Kennedy and drops the knee into the midsection of Kennedy.
Benoit gives Kennedy a German suplex and once again Kennedy rolls out the ring. As he attempts to return into the ring Benoit approaches so he drops back down to the floor and Benoit decides to follow him out only to get a back elbow for his troubles and Kennedy was playing possum there a little! Kennedy beats on Benoit outside the ring but an attempted head into the apron is blocked by Benoit who returns the compliment! Benoit helps Kennedy into the ring and follows up with a body slam then tries for the sharpshooter but Kennedy will have nothing of it and makes it to the ropes where he's given a couple of knees to the temple for his trouble. A side suplex by Benoit and a two count. Benoit slaps at Kennedy as he's trying to get up but when he finally does the two lock up and the eye gouge is given to Benoit by Kennedy who quickly tries to come off the ropes and into a foot to the midsection. Benoit picks up Kennedy and hangs him up on the top rope and then pounds on him but Kennedy who manages to stay on the apron of the ring comes back and with some right fists and manages to slam the head of Benoit into the turnbuckle, and again, and again. We get Kennedy mounting the top rope with a headlock on Benoit but he's stopped from doing anything by Benoit hitting into his gut and followed up with a headbutt before he's tossed from the top rope and back into the middle of the ring. Benoit climbs the ropes himself and drops the head onto the shoulder of Kennedy. We get a sharpshooter now from Benoit who manages to keep Kennedy away from grabbing the ropes but as Kennedy is almost looking like tapping out Benoit lets go and applies the crossface but we're too close to the ropes folks and Kennedy goes for the safe option. Once again Kennedy decides he likes the floor better than the ring and as Benoit is looking at a cut on the head from his headbutt onto Kennedy we go to........
Commercial break...
Back from commercial with Benoit dropping the elbow into the back and then slamming the head of Kennedy into the turnbuckle. Another headbutt by Benoit and Kennedy has taken some punishment here in this match. Benoit whips Kennedy across the ring and drops his head a little too quickly as Kennedy coming out of the corner delivers a forearm to the back of Benoit before ramming him shoulder first into the steel post! Kennedy rolls out of the ring and slams the arm of Benoit into the steel post, and then a forearm to the chest of Benoit and back into the ring where he uses the boot to take advantage of the injured shoulder. A scoop slam by Kennedy who comes off the ropes and drops the elbow across the chest. We then get a two count and a kick out to which Kennedy then drags Benoit to his feet before working on the shoulder again. Benoit attempts to fight back and pushes Kennedy into the corner but he's met by a kick to the midsection as he comes near. Kennedy then decides it's time to ram the shoulder of Benoit into the steel ring post again and Benoit falls out of the ring. Kennedy comes out and bangs the head of Benoit against the steps and is given a chop to the chest as he comes in again. Benoit delivers another one outside of the ring with Kennedy then giving Benoit a big right arm and hammers away on the shoulder before tossing him back into the ring. Apparently we've got Kennedy bleeding from the mouth now. He can't take advantage as Benoit lands some more chops but as he then tries to whip Kennedy off the ropes, he's caught and slammed face first into the canvas! Another two count.
Kennedy uses some time to put on a rest hold on the shoulder of Benoit to wear him down. Benoit manages to make it to his feet at one stage but Kennedy locks the arm under him, picks him up and slams him back to the canvas and attempts the cover but only for another two count. We then get a choke hold broken at the count of four! As Kennedy tries to pick up Benoit he's caught by surprise and tripped up to the canvas by Benoit who attempts the sharpshooter again but is not allowed to lock it in as Kennedy hits at the injured shoulder of Benoit before pushing him away! We get two elbow drops by Kennedy who is bleeding more from the mouth and another attempted cover to no avail. Benoit manages to break away from Kennedy dropping his knee into his shoulder with some desperation legs to the head. Kennedy returns with a snapmare takedown and once again works on wearing down the injured arm of Benoit. His attention is taken away though as suddenly we hear the gong of the Undertaker and the mist pours out onto the stage! Benoit goes for the advantage with some big chops on the distracted Kennedy. Kennedy tries to ram the head of Benoit into the turnbuckle but it's blocked and reversed by Benoit who delivers a German suplex. He is stopped from delivering another one by some back elbows to the head but then Kennedy is distracted again by The Undertaker who appears up on stage. In shock Kennedy is grabbed again by Benoit who manages to deliver the suplexes 3 in a row and then manages to lock in the crippler crossface and Kennedy taps out! We have a new United States Champion! Chris Benoit defeated Mr. Kennedy for the United States Champion title in 18 minutes (Rudi's rating *** 1/2) As Kennedy looks up he notices that The Undertaker has disappeared from the stage. Benoit celebrates as Kennedy rolls out of the ring and Kennedy is distraught at his loss. (Author's note - With Kennedy losing does he go to Raw still? From the commentary I'm not sure that he does but what a great match to start the show and Benoit plays a match injury like no other! I liked the match and the time it was given. Giving the title to Benoit on his first appearance back on Smackdown was an interesting choice and certainly one I wasn't expecting. Well done Smackdown!)
Commercial break...
A video flashback to Stone Cold Steve Austin filling up a Corvette with cement advertises WWE 24/7 as we're back to the show and a shot of some of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the crowd. Cole and JBL discuss the WWE Family Reunion special from Raw the past Monday night and the return of McMahon and a flashback to that show with McMahon making a Champion of Champions match up for WWE Cyber Sunday on November 5th between Big Show, King Booker and John Cena.
We return again backstage now and King Booker with Queen Sharmell are with Teddy Long and Booker is upset that he's booked to defend his title on next week's show against the winner of the Triple Threat match later in the show. Booker believes he should be the one to defend against the other champions on Cyber Sunday but Teddy reminds him he has lost to the three contenders and he won't change his mind. Booker stares down Long as we head into another...
Commercial break...
Back again from commercial to William Regal coming out to the ring for his match up. We get a flashback to No Mercy and Regal having an incident with the hot dog vendor's trolley and then highlights of his match up against Benoit. We then get the music of Vito as he comes out wearing a fur stoll (hopefully faux fur) over his dress.
Match 2: Vito vs. William Regal
Regal wants to get the action rolling in this match and attacks Vito with a kick to the midsection and some big left hands before whipping Vito off the ropes and into an elbow in the face. A hip toss is reversed into a head scissors by Vito with Regal almost under the dress and Regal breaks out and is out of the ring in a hurry. Regal is mad but as he tries to get into the ring he is met by a knee to the gut on the apron and some right arms by Vito who then tries to suplex Regal back into the ring. Regal blocks the move and drops to the floor, trips Vito up and drags him out from under the bottom rope. He gives Vito a mean looking kick to the side of the head and Vito as he falls slams his head into the steel steps. Regal throws Vito back into the ring and rains blows onto the head of Vito. He then goes for a count which is broken at two. Regal locks the full nelson onto Vito whilst down on his knees but he manages to get to his feet and break it by thrusting back into Regal. He gives Regal an elbow too for good measure but Regal counters with a suplex of sorts folding up Vito and then the cover again for two. Vito staggers into the corner and is subjected to a barrage of forearms from Regal, left and right. As he staggers into another corner he tries to fight back from another Regal forearm but is given a knee to the midsection for his troubles. A fierce whip across the ring and Vito collapses onto the canvas and is given a knee and then a wear down hold from Regal. It's broken by Vito finding the ropes and he's picked up from the canvas by Regal who is gouging at his face. Vito manages to whip Regal into the ropes and delivers a back body drop. He is still feeling the affects of the gouging as Regal throws him into the corner but manages to raise his knees into the face of a charging Regal. A big boot to the face and Regal is down and Vito goes to climb the ropes.
With dress in mouth, and the obligatory blurring of the underwear Vito launches himself to drop the elbow only to find that Regal has rolled out of the way and he hits hard against the canvas. Regal covers again but only for the two count. The two go toe to toe before Regal's attempt at an Irish whip is reversed by Vito. Regal rolls over the top of him but can't complete the move and Vito drops onto him straddling him and then with the lock up of the legs gets the pin! Vito defeated Sir William Regal in 5 minutes (Rudi's rating **) Vito leaves the ring and celebrates by dancing a jig flashing his underwear to the crowd whilst Regal in the ring is irate at the loss. (Author's note - This match was better in standard than the others they've had because of the added intensity by Regal. In their other match ups he's been more disgusted at Vito but here he took the offensive and an angry looking Regal always results in some good offense.
Backstage we see Lashley cutting a promo on the match later on. (Author's note - A better promo than what he's done before with a bit more intensity but he still in my humble opinion needs a manager to do the talking and himself to do the fighting).
Commercial break...
Back from commercial to a freeze frame from the WWE website showing King Booker holding up his belt and then straight into the introduction of MVP for his in ring debut on Smackdown. He strolls out wearing a blue jumpsuit style outfit with lots of bling, through a tunnel with an Undertaker style mist and then as he's half way down to the ring columns of flame up on stage. He grabs the mic as he's coming into the ring and stands in the centre smirking away at the crowd before he speaks. We have an MVP problem with no competition for him, and Teddy is playing him for the fool. The rest of the speech is kinda pointless as the crowd starts up a huge MVP's a wanker chant! MVP begs for competition, competition that will make him sweat and then we hear the music of Long as he makes his way to the ring. Long says you want some competition? The pyros for Kane go off to a huge pop from the crowd!! Kane after his loser leaves Raw match is now on Smackdown! Kane makes his way to the ring whilst MVP nervously looks around. Kane in the ring sets of the ring post pyros and MVP is looking mighty scared.
The referee on any number of occasions goes to start the match by MVP grabs his arm, firstly as he has to stretch, secondly as he has to stretch and thirdly he acts as if something is in his eye. Up to now Kane has stood there waiting for something to happen and the crowd have been booing and jeering MVP. MVP steps out of the ring and Kane decides finally it's time to take matter into his own hands. He leaves the ring and clubs MVP in the back of the head. He slams the head of MVP into the barricades. He slams the head of MVP into the ring apron. He gives MVP a huge right uppercut. MVP is crawling away and Kane stomps on his back four times before picking him up and delivering another uppercut. Kane picks up MVP and drops him against the barricades. Kane delivers the big boot. Kane rams MVP into the steel post. Kane delivers another big right hand. Kane slams the head of MVP into the steel steps. MVP finally retaliates with a rake to the eyes and runs up the stage and is out of there leaving a very angry looking Kane at ringside. MVP and Kane officially didn't start the match (Rudi's rating *) (Author's note - For all the build up he's had MVP was made to look very much the chump but in a way it had some good heat coming from the crowd because of it. As to the inclusion of Kane on the roster I'm not sure which way WWE will use him here. He certainly has an option to come up against some of the bigger wrestlers of the ilk of Batista, Lashley, Finlay or even King Booker but stay tuned and we'll see how he's utilised).
Commercial break...
Back from commercial to Jamie Noble in the ring for his match up and the crowd goes crazy when the music of Rey Mysterio hits and he comes up through the stage and makes his way down to the ring giving his shirt and a cap he's wearing to people in the crowd. As he nears the ring he also hugs a lady in the front row as well. As Rey mounts the ropes to acknowledge the crowd the music of Chavo hits and both he and Vickie Guerrero come up on stage. Chavo says hi to the crowd and addresses Rey saying he and Vickie won't interfere in his match up and will stay on the stage.
Commercial break...
Match 3: Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble
Back from commercial and action is underway in the ring with Rey and Jamie at each other. Rey attempts an Irish whip which is reversed by Noble who delivers a high arm to the head of Rey. Jamie gives Rey a big right arm to the back and then the Irish whip which Rey ducks under and comes off the ropes and gives Noble a spinning headscissors. As Rey goes to get Noble, Noble pulls him forward slamming the head of Rey onto the second turnbuckle. In the corner Noble chops at Rey and another right hand before Rey tries to kick his way out of trouble before Noble rams the knee into the midsection. Rey is slammed hard into the opposite corner by Noble as the crowd has started up a huge Eddie chant! Noble gives Rey another whip into the corner but this time as he's charging in is met by the boot of Rey. Rey charges at Noble but is picked up and spun into a back breaker and a two count by Noble. (Author's note - As the match is progressing we're given a number of quick cuts to Chavo and Vickie up on stage). Rey is given a body slam and a leg drop by Noble and a one count. Noble gets Rey in a chin lock ramming his knee into the back of Rey. The crowd begins a big 619 chant. Rey finally manages to get to his feet and elbows his way out of the chin lock and then bounces off the ropes but straight into a high knee by Noble who gets the two count on Rey. A backbreaker by Noble and another two count and then a one count before he rams the knee into the back of Rey, pulling on his arms in a submission hold. Rey finally manages to get up and elbows his way out of trouble and then kicks into the hamstring of Noble. An attempted Irish whip by Rey is reversed again and Rey receives a knee to the midsection. Noble picks up Rey and looks to deliver an inverted atomic drop. Rey manages to reverse it into a back body drop onto Noble who attempts to roll up Rey for a pin. Rey rolls through and delivers a stinging kick to the head of Noble!
Rey goes to ropes, and delivers a springboard somersault onto Noble for the two count. Rey attempts to whip Noble into the corner which is reversed again, but Noble rushes in and gets a back elbow by Rey for his effort. Rey hops onto the shoulders of Noble and delivers a very well executed spinning headscissors before coming off the ropes and giving a dazed Noble a seated senton. Rey hesitates a moment before bouncing off the ropes and straight into a slam by Noble who covers for two! As Noble picks Rey up off the ground to give him a suplex Rey follows through and ends up against the ropes. Noble rushes in but is tripped up landing along the middle rope right in line for a 619 which Rey duly delivers to the crowd's delight. We then get Rey off the ropes dropping the dime and he rolls up Noble for the win! Rey Mysterio defeated Jamie Noble in approximately 6 minutes (Rudi's rating **) (Author's note - This could have been a good match with both Noble and Rey matched up nicely but was made very patchy by the constant cuts to Chavo and Vickie on stage making the flow of the match hard to follow).
Rey doesn't get a chance to celebrate before being interrupted by Chavo from the stage cutting a promo about him hitting another low point with Rey beating him both at No Mercy and then at the Raw Reunion show. Rey says that Chavo is losing it. Chavo says that whilst both of them are on Smackdown it's never going to be over so he challenges Rey to an 'I quit match' next week on Smackdown. Vickie is a little worried by this match being called. Rey suggests to Chavo that he's beaten him twice already in the past week and does he think he can't do it again next week? Vickie at this point takes the mic and proceeds to tell Rey the difference between him and Eddie Guerrero was not the name but the fact that her Eddie had balls! Rey ponders this and says he's going to prove to Chavo and Vickie what he's made of and the I quit will be coming out of the mouth of Chavo! (Author's note - I made the mistake of thinking that Chavo would take care of Rey at No Mercy in that Rey would be injured somehow and use that angle to have the break that he's been after to take care of some niggling injuries. I can see Rey being cheated out of this match and 'quitting' Smackdown before coming back in a few weeks on Raw. I hope I'm wrong here. The intensity shown by Rey recently has been awesome and I'd hate to see him go).
Commercial break...
Back from commercial to a welcome back from Maryse backstage as she blows us a kiss. Are they actually going to use her for anything else on the show?
We're back up front and out for the next match come Kendrick and London followed by Ashley. They're joined for this six man tag team match up by Jimmy Wang Yang who comes out to a good pop from this Floridian crowd. They're opponents who come out are Idol Stevens and K C James escorted by McCool. Teaming up with them is Sylvan who comes out to some good heat from this crowd.
Match 4: Brian Kendrick, Paul London & Jimmy Wang Yang (with Ashley) vs. Idol Stevens, K.C. James & Sylvan (with Michelle McCool)
The match begins with Kendrick and Sylvan who lock up in the middle of the ring. Sylvan knees him in the midsection and manhandles him into his corner and turns away to taunt London and Yang. Kendrick lashes out at both Stevens and James and delivers a drop kick onto Sylvan as he turns around. They come into the ring as do Yang and London and we have a six man melee in the ring with the heels cleared out of the ring! London encourages Yang to give a yeehah before the both of them launch themselves through the middle rope taking out Stevens and James at ringside! They grab both Stevens and James and yell at Kendrick to dive out the ring onto them. As Kendrick bounces off the ropes however he's met by a huge clothesline from Sylvan! Sylvan delivers an elbow then a knee to the chest of Kendrick and then a body slam and cover but only for the two count. Sylvan then chokes Kendrick against the ropes before making the tag to Stevens. Stevens hooks up Kendrick against the top rope and holds him allowing the tag to James who comes in off the middle rope with an elbow into the small of the back of Kendrick and then tries to cover him. We get the two count broken by the foot of Kendrick up on the ropes. A tag to Sylvan who enters with a kick to the midsection of Kendrick. Sylvan beats him down and then knocks Yang off the apron.
Sylvan picks up Kendrick and drops him face first behind his back and goes for the cover which is broken up by London running into the ring disrupting it. Sylvan whips Kendrick into the corner but his charge is stopped by a right hand to the head. He charges in again but Kendrick ducks out the way and Sylvan rams the corner face first. The hot tag is made to Yang to the delight of the crowd and he takes down Sylvan with a clothesline and another before a hit to the midsection and a kick to the back of the head on Sylvan. Yang then delivers a spinning heel kick on Sylvan and goes for the cover which is disrupted when James comes into the ring and delivers a leg drop onto the back of the head of Yang. London comes into the ring to help out and is attacked by both James and Stevens up against the ropes. They plan to clotheslines London out of the ring together but London drops to the canvas holding the top rope and James & Stevens go over the top rope onto the floor below! London over the top rope takes out Stevens and in the ring Yang is taken down by a Sylvan clothesline! Kendrick goes after Sylvan and delivers a maneuver which he has named Dr Teeth according to Cole, staggering him. He turns around right into a very nicely executed moonsault by Yang off the top rope! Yang goes for the pin and the match is over! Kendrick, London & Yang defeated Stevens, James & Sylvan in 4 minutes (Rudi's rating ** 1/2) Yang celebrates his first Smackdown win with a jig in the ring before joining Kendrick and London on the rampway as their opponents are yelling at them. (Author's note - Unlike the previous match this one focused solely on the action though sadly the match didn't really go long enough. Yang continues to impress with his athleticism in the ring and paired up with a very high flying Kendrick & London made for some very nice moves. Lets just hope that WWE continue to work on the tag division for both Kendrick & London to have some more opponents).
We're treated to a Raw Rebound from the Family Reunion show last Monday.
Back to the show and Cole & JBL discuss that Smackdown is the dominant brand as we get a promo by Finlay for the next match which ends with Finlay saying he's going to knock Lashley's teeth out and beat Batista.
Commercial break...
Back from commercial to a promo backstage from Batista for the upcoming match saying he doesn't care if he has to go through 2 men, the locker room or a brick wall but he's on a mission to regain his title.
We're then brought back to the arena with King Booker and Queen Sharmell coming out to ringside and King Booker will be giving special commentary on this match up.
Commercial break...again...
Back from commercial and out comes Lashley to a bit of a pop for the match up. From the camera angle there doesn't seem to be the hugest reaction from the crowd for him. He's followed by Finlay who comes out to what I would say a better reaction from the crowd. Batista comes out and the crowd go crazy. He is certainly over with the crowd.
Match 5: Batista vs. Finlay vs. Lashley
The match begins with Batista and Lashley face to face and Finlay standing to the side egging them on against each other. Finally both of them turn to face Finlay who puts on the best 'oh s**t' expression on his face before both Lashley and Batista double team up on him. A double Irish whip off the ropes and Finlay runs into two elbows and rolls out of the ring. This allows Batista and Lashley to lock up in the middle of the ring. Lashley grabs Batista around the waist but Batista breaks out of it by some back elbows to the head of Lashley and then unleashing with some big rights as he forces Lashley into the corner where he delivers shoulder blocks to the midsection of Lashley. He then tries to whip Lashley across the ring but it's reversed with Lashley then picking up Batista, pushing him into the corner before delivering some of his very own shoulder block and then elbows. Lashley whips Batista into the opposite corner following up right behind but Batista moves out of the way and helps Lashley face first into the top turnbuckle and then proceeds to plant some rights into the head of Lashley. An Irish whip off the ropes by Batista results in a kick to the chest as he drops his head too early and then both wrestlers give each other the big boot simultaneously knocking them both onto the canvas!
Finlay comes into the ring and beats up on both Batista and Lashley and then nonchalantly tosses Batista through the middle ropes and onto the floor. He then approaches Lashley and delivers a big right upper cut sending Lashley to the canvas followed by elbow drops onto the chest. Finlay unleashes a right hand onto Lashley but Lashley fights back by taking down Finlay with a blow to the back of the legs and then a clothesline. He picks up Finlay’s and drops him with a big power slam! As he goes for the cover the referee's count is interrupted by Lil' Bastard who grabs his arm and stops him from counting. Lashley stares down the little green one who decides it's time to leave the ring with Lashley in hot pursuit around the ring. The Lil Bastard turns the corner of the ring and is leapfrogged by Finlay who has made it out of the ring but only enough to receive a clothesline from Lashley still in pursuit.
There should have been a commercial break here but for some reason it wasn't taken here in Australia and in the split screen we see a repeat of Lashley clotheslining Finlay before ramming Batista into the steel ring post! In the ring Finlay has Lashley in a headlock so please excuse the confusion here thanks to the cable TV. Lashley manages to break out of the headlock and he is planting right hands onto Finlay who is retaliating with kicks to the hamstring of Lashley. Batista has finally made it back into the ring and takes down both Finlay and Lashley. Batista with a nice Irish whip and elbow into the head of Finlay and a clothesline into Lashley who is in the corner of the ring followed up by a power slam onto Finlay! Batista rams Lashley into the corner, clotheslines Finlay out of the ring and comes back giving Lashley a huge spinebuster! Batista shakes the ropes, gives Lashley the thumbs down much to the crowds delight and locks him in for a Batista Bomb but is taken down by Finlay wit a clothesline. Batista rolls out of the ring and is up against the apron and Lashley joins him as well as Finlay. Both Finlay and Lashley team up beating into Batista. Batista takes them both on with elbows and rams firstly the head of Lashley into the steel steps and then the head of Finlay and the crowd are cheering him on. Batista goes to the Announcer's table and clear off all the items upon it, monitors, microphones and cables whilst glaring at Booker.
Batista picks up Finlay and is going to drop him through the table but Lashley comes back with a kick to the midsection of Batista and the two of them go toe to toe with Batista taking the advantage and picking up Lashley to put him through the table but is kicked in the chest by Finlay! Both Lashley and Finlay beat down Batista and then Finlay makes the suggestion to Lashley that they should put Batista through the table. They pick up Batista and slam him through the table in a move that looks worse as Batista kind of slides off the table and slides into the chairs. The referee quickly checks on Batista to make sure he is okay. (Author's note - This move didn't quite come off the way it was meant to I think). Lashley is in the ring now and calls in Finlay and the two stalk each other in the ring. Finlay manages to kick Lashley in the midsection and unloads onto Lashley before giving him a big clothesline and then the two count. Finlay stomps the hand and then gives Lashley an uppercut and another. Lashley tries to fight back but is stopped by a poke to the eyes, then a headbutt and another short clothesline! Finlay goes for the cover only to be kicked out at two.
Finlay picks up Lashley who out of nowhere starts planting big rights onto Finlay. He whips him across the ring and Finlay cleverly hangs onto the ropes as Lashley was trying to dropkick him but ends up crashing to the canvas instead. Finlay squashes Lashley but can only get a two count again. Finlay then rams Lashley shoulder first into the steel ring post! He picks Lashley up and completes the Celtic Cross maneuver on him and goes for the cover which is just broken in time by Batista from the outside grabbing the foot of Finlay and pulling him off. Finlay goes out of the ring and gives Batista a boot to the head and then whacks him with a section of the broken announcers table! Back in the ring Finlay goes and kicks at Lashley though Lashley has had that time to recover and gains the advantage on Finlay with some elbows and a right hand to the head. Lashley whips Finlay into the opposite corner following him in. He picks up Finlay over his head in military press style but as he turns around is taken down by a huge spear from Batista who has managed to make his way back into the ring. Batista charges at Finlay who ducks out the way leaving a groggy Lashley to be taken down by a clothesline! Finlay kicks the midsection of Batista and takes him down with a DDT! Finlay almost gets the three count of Batista who just manages to kick out. From the outside of the ring the Lil' Bastard makes another appearance by tossing a chair into the ring which is noticed by the referee. As the referee is berating the Lil' Bastard his back is to Finlay who grabs his shillelagh and takes out Lashley with it knocking him out of the ring! He tries the same on Batista who blocks the blow and gives Finlay a huge spinebuster! And the crowd are going nuts again! Batista then gives Finlay the Batista Bomb and we get a cover and we have a winner! Batista defeated Lashley and Finlay in 12 minutes (Rudi's rating *** ) (Author's note - A great match this one with the three big heavyweights. They each had a chance to showcase their moves and did really well in doing so. The match certainly kept me in suspense as to who the winner would be! The only worry was the almost botched slamming Batista through the announcer's table. The table didn't collapse in the middle but collapsed backwards almost ramming the head of Batista into the frames of the chairs behind it. The referee was very quick to check that he was okay. I also just wanted too impressed by the commentary from Booker as throughout the match he had a jousting session against Cole which distracted me again from some of the action in the ring).
The show ends with Cole advising King Booker that in his title match up next week against Batista that both Big Show and Cena will be in attendance at the arena much to the shock from King Booker. Batista is up at the ropes showing Booker how the belt will fit around his waist.
I'm going to give this episode less than last week so a 6 out of 10 will suffice. There was some good action tonight with Benoit in action and then a fun 6 man tag and the triple threat contender match. The letdowns were the commentary during the final match which took a lot away from the action in the ring and then the constant cuts to Chavo & Vickie Guerrero as well which took away from the spectacle of the Rey match. I also wondered about the destruction literally of MVP by Kane and where this feud will go or who and how they decide to use Kane against. Another week too without Terkay in a match and though Miz was used at No Mercy he didn't make an appearance here. Of course WWE also took away the opportunity for me to criticise my favourite jobber of the month, Tatanka, so I wasn't impressed with that! I must admit I look forward to next week's title match up and think that Batista may actually win that one leading to a very big match at Cyber Sunday. That's all for now. Please give me your feedback to rudip1@pacific.net.au and see you all on the flip side!
*NEW GALLERY* MUST SEE! Very Rare Photos of KAREN ANGLE Over the Years!
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