Smackdown 2nd March, 2007
Submitted by Rudi Pavani on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 8:12 PM EST





G'day all to another episode of Smackdown. :) It's Rudi here, (rudip1@pacific.net.au) and before seeing if we can improve on the effort from last week I want to just give my condolences to the families of those affected by the overnight tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia. A number of lives were lost just 1/2 hour of where I visited last year and it just makes me appreciate so much more what I have here in Australia. My thoughts and prayers that it's not a bad season there weather wise. Back to the show. There was not much direction in my opinion so we can only go up from here. I had a few emails last week about my treatment of Boogeyman. I'm afraid that if I was to report just blow for blow every match my work wouldn't be needed here as we have WWE to do that so I do enjoy putting in my points of view as to how I see things happening. This is certainly not to say that I am right in any way, far from it. I appreciate the feedback I get and I do take it all on board. There are those out there that really enjoy Boogeyman and what he does, I'm just not sure there is enough of the wrestling yet to go with the entertainment. That has changed however in the past few weeks. The matches have been longer, and there is an improvement and I'll continue to be supportive of the improvement in his wrestling. Let's just hope it continues and on to the show!

Quick recap from last week
Batista cut a promo to open to show to explain his spinebuster on Undertaker at No Way Out
Hardy, London and Kendrick defeated Mercury, Deuce ‘n’ Domino in a six man tag match
Chavo Guerrero defeated Scotty 2 Hotty in a non title match
King Booker defeated Kane in a Money in the Bank Qualifying match after interference by Khali took Kane out allowing Booker to make the pin
Finlay and Lil’ Bastard beat Big Boogey and Small Boogey after Lil’ Bastard landed a DDT on Big Boogey
Rey Mysterio returned to San Diego to give us an update on his injury comeback
Vince McMahon interrupted, made fun of Rey Mysterio, didn’t like Rey calling him a loser and then called on Umaga to destroy him


The show begins with the opening credits for the first time in a while. We come this week from San Jose California and the show begins with Batista coming out on state looking like Frosty the Snowman dressed all in white. The crowd looks very much into the show already as Batista sets off his pyros and makes his way down to the ring. It's certainly different wearing white as opposed to the darker colours from the past few weeks as Batista in the turtle neck sweater shows his belt to the crowd before grabbing the mic. A Batista chant to begin with as he tells us that last week he explained why he did to Undertaker what he did at No Way Out. He reminds us that he is here to compete. When Undertaker chose him to wrestle at Wrestlemania he was honoured to be able to share the ring with the Deadman. Undertaker chose Batista because he's a competitor. He doesn't want an easy match, a pushover. He chose Batista! Then he chokeslammed him. Batista knows now it's going to be war. The match is going to get ugly. Batista says it's going to be the match of his career without a doubt. Batista has nothing but the utmost respect for the Undertaker he repeats but he will not be intimidated therefore at Wrestlemania........ and we get the gong happening a video on the Trinatron and the voice of Undertaker as the video comes from a cemetery.... It's time to take a journey, a trip back to the old school, you say you're not intimidated... we'll see. Undertaker says the match will be hell for Batista and there will be hell to pay. Without death there cannot be life as Undertaker steps up from a grave site. We get smoke filling the screen then the Undertaker has disappeared from inside the grave site and we then see him shoveling dirt into it. Batista....... At WM23 your reign as champion will Rest in Peace! We see another picture of the gravesite, the gong hits again and back to Batista in the ring where he drops the mic, removes his sunglasses and looks pensively into nothing as we go a commercial break... Rudi's rant - Batista, your promos are just really lacking. Where is that passion? Where is the aggression? What is it with the white outfit? Is this the image of the good guy dressed all in white vs. the bad guy (Undertaker) dressed all in black? It reminded me of an old Western Movie! I just didn't think this segment was that great sorry.

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and we get a vignette of those that have been added to the Money in the Bank ladder match for Wrestlemania being Edge, CM Punk, King Booker, Jeff Hardy and Mr. Kennedy and that two more will be added during this show as we come back to ringside and King Booker and Sharmell coming over to the announcers table and we see JBL kissing the hand of Booker when it's extended to him and then he pulls Cole's head to the hand of Booker to kiss it as he is shaking his hand. Both Booker and JBL glare at Cole as we get the music of Matt Hardy and he comes out to the ring looking very intense. Booker says he'll win the match at Wrestlemania as we get the music of Joey Mercury and he makes his way out to the ring as back to Booker we go and he's telling Cole he had nothing to do with Khali interfering in his match last week. Mercury and Hardy are both in the ring as Chimel tells us about the match and introduces the wrestlers with Hardy getting a big cheer and Mercury getting a big jeer.

Match 1: Matt Hardy vs. Joey Mercury in a Money in the Bank qualifier match for Wrestlemania
We begin with both wrestlers locking up in the middle of the ring and Hardy being put into a headlock as we get a Hardy chant happening already! Hardy breaks the hold by tossing Mercury into the ropes and then taking him down with a hip toss as Booker puts an interesting take onto the commentary. A headlock now by Hardy which is broken by Mercury tossing him into the ropes but he's taken down with a shoulder block as Hardy then goes for the quick attempt at a pin. Booker was very excited there for a moment as Hardy now has Mercury in another headlock before Mercury with a handful of hair drags Hardy into the corner and then fails to make the clean break and begins to assault Hardy with a number of blows to the chest and then head. A whip across the ring is reversed by Hardy who then catches Mercury over his shoulders as he attempts to leap over him from the corner! Hardy holds him up and is it going to be a Samoan drop? No, as Hardy drops Mercury in a front breaker? across his knee face first! Mercury writhes in pain as Hardy kicks him a number of times to the midsection before going for another unsuccessful pin before grabbing him again, lifting the knee to the midsection a number of times then picks him up in an attempt at a suplex but planting him face first into the canvas and going for another attempt at a pin!

Hardy with a body slam before climbing up to the top rope for an attempt at a moonsault but Mercury has rolled out of the way and Hardy hit nothing but mat! Booker is getting his brow wiped by Sharmell as Cole asks Booker about the fact that only two wrestlers previously have won the Money in the Bank match then continued on and cashed in by winning the World Title. Mercury in the mean time connects with a face first arm breaker on Hardy onto the canvas as we get another Hardy chant as he breaks an attempted pin before clutching his sore shoulder which Mercury continues to work on. Cole, JBL and Booker argue over the other members maybe winning the match at Wrestlemania as Mercury now has Hardy in the corner continuing the assault on the injured left shoulder. Hardy attempts a fight back but Mercury regains quick control. Mercury's attempt at whipping Hardy across the ring is reversed but Hardy in the follow up is met with a boot to the face. Hardy staggers away as Mercury tries to climb the ropes. Hardy rushes in whilst Mercury's back is to him and grabs him in a crucifix type move but has to drop him because of the pain in his shoulder which allows Mercury to regain control with a knee to the chest! Mercury then, with holding the arm of Hardy against his side rams him shoulder first into the steel ring post and Hardy falls to the apron of the ring then the floor as Mercury gathers his breath inside the ring as we go...

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and there is a Hardy chant happening as Mercury is still working on the arm of Hardy as he's getting to his feet. Hardy can't take advantage though as he's flipped back onto the canvas and then given a leg drop against the injured arm. Mercury attempts a number of pins before working further on the arm of Hardy and going to the apron, putting the arm of Hardy over the top rope then dropping to the floor stretching the arm of Hardy as he collapses to the canvas in pain. Mercury drags him out from under the bottom rope and onto the floor with Hardy hitting hard against the barricade. Mercury hits into Hardy as we get another Hardy chant as Mercury locks the arm of Hardy into the skirting and dropping him to the floor again before entering the ring to break the referee's count! He then exits the ring and grabs Hardy again and wraps his arm around the steel post and yanks the shoulder of Hardy hard into it before throwing him back into the ring! Booker is discussing how ladder matches aren't his forte as Cole discusses how the Hardy's were the originators pretty much of ladder matches. Booker says that although it's not his forte he has risen to the occasion many a time and he will do it at Wrestlemania as well in this match. Mercury continues to work on the arm of Hardy stretching it behind his head and Hardy won't give up as he tries to get to his feet again. The crowd cheer loudly as Hardy to his feet drops to the canvas slamming the jaw of Mercury against the top of his head! Mercury feels his face as Hardy goes at mercury who regains control by kicking into the shoulder of Hardy again!

Mercury pretends to take pictures of Hardy as he writhes in pain before locking his legs around the arm of Hardy and rolling him up for an attempted pin. Booker says that Hardy is still in this match regardless of Mercury being in control as he continues to work on Hardy. Mercury goes to the apron again and can't repeat his earlier movie due to Hardy fighting back but Mercury regains control with a shoulder to the midsection before going to the ropes again. He climbs to the top rope but can't do anything as Hardy manages in a desperate move to body slam him back into the ring! Hardy is favouring the injured left arm as the two wrestlers go toe to toe before Hardy regains a bit of control with a kick to the midsection of Mercury! Hardy now with a clothesline before tossing Mercury into the corner and then following up with another clothesline! He bulldogs Mercury then goes for the cover and almost gets a three count! The crowd thought he had the win there for a moment as Hardy then climbs the second rope and tries to leap onto Mercury but he moves out of the way at the last minute. Hardy lands on his feet though and then takes Mercury down with the Side Effect and we get another almost 3 count! The crowd are hot for Mercury as Hardy yanks at his face mask then rips it off. Hardy tries to slam the head of Mercury into the turnbuckle but it's blocked by Mercury who comes back with a back elbow to the face of Hardy! Mercury climbs to the second rope but it stopped dead in his tracks by a blow to the face from Hardy! Hardy then grabs Mercury around the head and bulldogs him back into the ring, goes for the pin and to a huge cheer from the crowd gets the win!!
Matt Hardy defeated Joey Mercury in Money in the Bank Qualifying match in 13 minutes
Rudi's rating *** 1/4
Rudi's rant - I liked this match because it actually was given a good length of time to develop with good selling by Hardy of his injured arm and work by Mercury in focusing on it. Both wrestlers showed good offense at various times during the match with Hardy mainly at the start and now we have both Hardy's appearing at Wrestlemania! Booker at ringside gave good commentary and insight though at times unintelligible sadly. It was good to have his input there as a fellow contestant in the match at Wrestlemania. An excellent start to the wrestling side of things on this show!
Post match and Matt Hardy celebrates whilst still favouring his injured arm. He stands on the ropes and makes the action of taking the case down from the ceiling then exits the ring looking down at the fallen Mercury before we get a replay of the final few seconds of the match before we see Booker looking on from the announcers table and we see Matt Hardy added to the list of competitors.

Backstage now and Kristal introduced MVP as her guest. He enters, all smiles as the crowd boos a little. Kristal says that MVP can be the first ever Money in the Bank Triple Threat match winner and entrant. MVP says tonight he's going to punch his ticket to Wrestlemania and there he will gain his stop to championship gold and he will win he says as he wanders off and we go to...

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and we have Maryse yet again welcoming us back to Smackdown. There has got to be a plan somewhere to introduce her finally to the show in person with a bigger role? Back to action and Scotty 2 Hotty is making his way to the ring for a Cruiserweight six man tag. We then get the music of Shannon Moore and he makes his way to the ring as the music of Jimmy Wang Yang hits and he dances his way down to the ring. We get then the music of Gregory Helms and he makes his way down to the ring followed by Daivari and then Chavo Guerrero.


Match 2: Scotty 2 Hotty, Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Gregory Helms, Daivari and Chavo Guerrero
The bell rings and it's Shannon Moore starting off against Gregory Helms. They lock up and Moore is forced into the corner of Helms. Helms goes to take a shot at Moore but he ducks under it and Chavo backs away as he was the likely recipient of the blow if Helms had followed through with it. Moore and Helms again look to lock up but Moore is met with a kick to the midsection and Helms just rams his head into the turnbuckle and takes to him with a number of big blows to the head and midsection and he does not look happy! Helms whips Moore into the ropes and Moore leaps past him on the way back. Helms as he turns around to see where he's gone is picked up and given an inverted atomic drop by Moore! Moore then comes off the ropes and delivers a spinning heel kick to the head of Helms. It's his turn now to ram the head of Helms into the turnbuckle before climbing to the second rope and leaping off and taking Helms down with a spinning headscissors. He attempts the pin but only for a one count. Helms is quickly to his feet though and takes Moore off guard, hitting him in the midsection before making the tag to Chavo who bounces in over the top rope. He goes after Moore but is taken down with a hip toss. Moore drags Chavo over to his corner and makes the tag to Scotty who comes in and kicks Chavo in the midsection.

Scotty works on the arm of Chavo before finally being pushed into the ropes. Scotty as he comes off the ropes however slides under the attempted boot from Chavo then picks him up and delivers a back drop. He springs to his feet and takes down Daivari who has entered the ring and then shapes up to take down Helms, but Helms thinks better of it and retreats back outside the ropes again. Scotty in the meantime hasn't realised Chavo has gotten to his feet and it taken down with a blow from behind! Chavo rams the head of Scotty into the turnbuckle then delivers a kick to the midsection before offloading with uppercuts! Chavo then pulls Scotty away from the corner but rams him back in there with a short arm pull but is met by an elbow to the face as he follows Scotty in. Scotty mounts the ropes with Chavo in the corner and gets about 6 blows in to the head of Chavo with the crowd helping him count them. On the sixth one Chavo manages to toss Scotty over the top rope but he lands feet first on the apron and then sends Chavo flying with a jab to the face! As Daivari enters the ring and the referee's attention is diverted Helms runs across the apron and knocks Scotty to the floor with an elbow to the face!

Helms throws Scotty back into the ring and Chavo goes for the unsuccessful cover before tagging in Daivari who goes to work on Scotty as the crowd starts up a small Chavo sucks chant. Daivari works on the neck of Scotty with his knee planted into his back. We get a U.S.A chant trying to be started up as Scotty begins to work his way to his feet and then elbows Daivari and breaks the hold. Scotty goes to come off the ropes but meets a foot to the back from Chavo on the apron which stops him dead in his tracks. Daivari brings Scotty back into his corner and makes the tag and continues to kick into Scotty as Helms enters the ring. It's Helms now working on Scotty with a suplex before making the tag to Chavo who enters and works on the arm of Scotty. The crowd tries a chant as Scotty gets back to his feet. He is taken down however by Chavo who then sends Moore flying from the apron and onto the floor. He then lunges at Scotty who manages to duck under the attempt at a blow and takes out Chavo with a standing kick to the face! Both wrestlers are on the canvas. Chavo manages to use the ropes to tag in Daivari who enters just as Scotty manages to finally tag in Jimmy Wang Yang! Daivari rushes at him before he can enter the ring but Yang sends him reeling before leaping onto the top rope and taking him down with a crossbody before rushing over and knocking Helms down against the apron!

The crowd are hot for this as Yang takes Daivari then with a clothesline and then a leg sweep once he gets back onto his feet. He then delivers a standing moonsault onto the chest and gets a two count. Yang picks up Daivari but is taken aback by a knee to the midsection. Daivari tries to bodyslam him but Yang slips out from behind, kicks Daivari in the chest as he turns around then delivers a heel kick to the back to the head sending Daivari staggering into the corner. Yang rushes him and completes a backwards somersault using the chest of Daivari as a springboard! Helms rushes him when he lands of his feet and takes him down however with a neckbreaker of sorts?! Scotty rushes the ring and slams Helms face first onto the canvas! Scotty gets the attention of the crowd and wants to do the worm but is stopped by the referee much to the jeers of the crowd! Chavo in the meantime comes in and tosses Daivari onto Yang to make the cover but Moore manages to break the cover before the referee can make the count! Chavo reenters and takes to Moore but is stopped by Scotty who reenters as well and throws Chavo out onto the floor through the ropes! He in turn is tossed over the top rope by Helms! Moore has reentered now and tries to whips Helms against the ropes. It's reversed and Moore coming off the ropes ducks under the attempted blow by Helms and launches a moonsault over the top rope and onto Chavo who was getting to his feet on the floor! Helms is now dragged out from under the bottom rope by Scotty who knocks him down with a big right hand! In the ring Daivari whips Yang hard into the corner but as he follows in meets nothing but the corner as Yang holding the middle ropes springs out of the way outside the ring then drags himself back onto the apron and climbs the ropes and delivers the moonsault on Daivari, gets the pin and the adulation of the crowd!
Scotty 2 Hotty, Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang defeated Gregory Helms, Daivari and Chavo Guerrero in 8 minutes.
Rudi's rating ***
There were lots of little botched moves in this match but that makes it more worthwhile seeing that they can actually make mistakes. Shannon Moore seemed to miss a couple of more spots than the others but that could be mainly from lack of wrestling over the past few months. In particular his launch over the ropes onto Chavo was a bit rough and he seemed to connect with the boots to the head more than onto the whole body of Chavo. There was a bit of tension there between Helms and Chavo with Chavo having won the belt at No Way Out but forget the mistakes and this match could have warranted with a bit more time.
Post match and Helms celebrates the victory then tries to dance with the referee. He mounts the ropes and then dances with Shannon Moore and the three wrestlers celebrate their win as we get the last few seconds of the match again in replay. Cole and JBL discuss Rey Mysterio before going to an awesome looking video package from Smackdown last week with the return of Rey to the ring and then his total destruction at the hands of Umaga after Vince McMahon had crashed the party!

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and Vince McMahon struts his way to the ring. He grabs a mic and to the boos from the crowd reminds us about the destruction of Rey last week by his representative for Wrestlemania, Umaga. Vince can still hear the crimes of agony from Rey last week and refers to him now as a stain on the canvas of life as the crowd starts up a big you suck chant! He continues to promote the match at Wrestlemania which just kills the enthusiasm of the crowd. If he loses his head will be shaved which gets a bit of a cheer from the crowd. Vince continues to talk about the match being about ego and embarrassment. Vince thinks he could make Time magazine man of the year. Vince says he's surprised of Trump's choice as we go to RAW last Monday and see the choice of Lashley as the opponent of Umaga. We then see Lashley and Umaga go at it at RAW in a brawl. We then go back to McMahon who shows us highlights from ECW which had Lashley in a cage match and then charging through the cage at Umaga and knocking a wall of the cage down over Umaga. Back to Smackdown now and more McMahon rambling and the crowd are really flat but pump up as we get the music of Lashley who to the stunned look of McMahon comes out to ringside. He enters the ring and stands face to face with McMahon. There is a Bobby chant happening as McMahon demand what he is doing out there. McMahon thinks he's there for one reason only and that is to make a deal. McMahon says that no matter what Trump has offered he'll double it. Lashley says it was an honour to be chosen and a privilege to compete at Wrestlemania but it will be his please to beat Umaga! Lashley says no to the proposal from McMahon but is given a slap to the face from McMahon who yells that noone says no to him. Lashley all of a sudden just gets this angry look on his face and McMahon is out of there and slowly backs up the rampway pointing at Lashley and threatening him as Lashley is left in the ring staring him down as we go... Rudi's rant - Up until the entrance of Lashley and excluding the video packages presented which were of the usual high standard McMahon's promo was just downright boring and totally crowd killing sadly. I almost can't wait for Wrestlemania to be over and McMahon relegated by himself to just a bit player again!

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and a replay of what just happened before the commercial with Lashley saying no and selling the McMahon slap like he'd been hit by a truck before we go to an outside view of the stadium and then McMahon backstage yelling at a stage hand before Kennedy comes in and tells and begs McMahon that he wants Lashley tonight. McMahon agrees and makes it for the ECW Championship and then a No Holds Barred match which is down the alley for Kennedy. Kennedy cannot be disqualified or counted out. Lashley must fight by the rules. If he's counted out or disqualified he will lose the title. Kennedy likes that and says that we're looking at the new ECW Champion as he and McMahon shake hands.

Back to action and Ashley makes her way to the ring setting off a pyro that drops the cover of her magazine cover for Playboy. We get a vignette of the magazine pictorial and then the music of Jillian Hall hits and she comes out towards stage wearing a radio mic. In the ring, before we see her beating up Ashley we're going to see her singing and she does a bad job at it. Ashley complains to the ref then takes matters into her own hand, goes over, yanks at her hair pulling her around and starts to land blow and this match is on the go!

Ashley vs. Jillian Hall
Ashley tries to whip Jillian across the ring but it's reversed and on the rebound Ashley lands spinning head scissors onto Jillian. To a cheer from the crowd she hops up wrapping her legs around the neck of Jillian and somersaults her over in a cradle like move and attempts the cover to which Jillian kicks out of. Ashley up again and locks a scissors move across the arms of Jillian from behind but Jillian makes herself comfortable and lands a Samoan drop on Ashley then goes for the cover but only for a two count. Jillian now rubs the head of Ashley into the canvas then picks her up by the hair and slams her head against the turnbuckle before kicking her in the back. Ashley tries to fight back but to no avail and Jillian works on the back of Ashley whilst pulling her hair. Counted off by the referee Jillian looks to go after Ashley again but is kicked away. In a totally strange move Jillian rushes over to the corner and grabs her mic and utters something into it as Ashley comes over and rolls her up almost for a three count! Jillian takes to Ashley again by tossing her into the corner with an Irish whip.

Jillian rushes into the corner after Ashley but Ashley lifts her legs up and wraps them around the head of Jillian. Jillian yanks her out and drops Ashley to the canvas and goes for the cover but is using the ropes for leverage and the count is broken by the referee. Jillian complains then grabs Ashley by the hair and drags her into the middle of the ring and goes for a bodyslam but Ashley slips out from the back and lands a neck breaker on Jillian before crawling to the corner. She climbs to the second rope, pats her elbow and then lands an elbow drop to the chest of Jillian! She goes for the cover and we get the three count!
Ashley defeated Jillian Hall in 3 minutes
Rudi's rating ** 1/2
I've rated this match not too badly. Ashley showed some good moves in the ring and Jillian I think is still by far one of the best of the women wrestlers in WWE though her talents are not shown that often. We were of course always going to see Ashley win seeing that the push is for her and her Playboy magazine shoot but again, she had some nice moves and was a lot better than in her last match! As to Jillian singing, her gimmick is apparently a spoof on Brooke Hogan who I can honestly say I've never seen on TV singing so I won't comment there but I'm bemused by Jillian going for the mic half way through the match. Oh well, it wasn't that painful this match! Well done.
Post match and Ashley celebrates her win and feels her face before cracking a smile as she slowly moves up the rampway. We get a preview of the Triple Threat match as we go to...

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and Finlay is making his way to the ring. All of a sudden we see Lil' Bastard on the announcers table squirting water at Cole and then leaping onto JBL. He tussles briefly then Finlay is there and kicking him back under the apron. Finlay walks around and pushes at Cole who is complaining about Lil' Bastard attacking JBL. Finlay gets into his face and says he's only going to tell him once but Lil Bastard's name is actually Hornswoggle! Finlay moves back towards the ring leaving a disgusted looking Cole and JBL discussing his name as Finlay enters the ring. The music of MVP hits and he makes his way to the ring. We then get the music of Benoit and the crowd give a big pop as he makes his way to the ring and shows off his belt before handing it over and we're about to start as Finlay puts his shillelagh in the corner.

Match 4: Finlay vs. MVP vs. Chris Benoit in a Money in the Bank Triple Threat Match
We begin with all three in the ring and Benoit goes after MVP as Finlay attacks Benoit from behind but is met by chops until MVP comes back and takes to Benoit in the corner. Benoit is assaulted to the floor before he comes back and take to MVP before being taken to by Finlay and given an uppercut and a back elbow drop, a short arm clothesline and then his squat to the chest before going for a cover. MVP pushes him off and the two push at each other until MVP yanks the legs of Finlay out from under him them slingshots him over the top rope! MVP follows him out and takes to him against the barricades. Benoit in the ring sees this happening then runs across the ring and launches himself through the ropes and takes down MVP as Finlay saw it coming and moved out of the way at the last minute. Finlay now kicks into Benoit as we go to...

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and Finlay is working on the neck and shoulder of Benoit as we see MVP on the floor slumped against the barricades catching his breath and watching on. Benoit makes it to his feet and elbows Finlay in the midsection a number of times breaking the hold before a poke to the eyes from Finlay gets him back in control. Another short arm clotheslines and an attempted pin before Finlay continues to work on the neck of Benoit. Benoit to his feet again hip tosses Finlay and then looks to comes off the rope but is tripped up by MVP who then slides into the ring and begins to assault Benoit with elbows to the head before attempting a pin. A kick to the back from MVP before going for a pin before Finlay drags him off and the two discuss working on Benoit together. Finlay grabs Benoit and MVP lays into him with punches and a knee to the midsection! Both work on him trying to soften him up taking turns. Benoit is slammed into the corner by Finlay and then met with a big shoulder tackle into the midsection! The crowd have started up a big Benoit chat with MVP bodyslamming Benoit then dropping the elbow on his chest. Finlay and MVP slap hands before MVP is taken down by a big clothesline from Finlay to a cheer from the crowd. Finlay now on Benoit whips him into the corner again and charges in but meets the steel ring post with his shoulder as Benoit moves out of the way! Benoit now goes after MVP with a German suplex but can't land a second as Finlay clobbers him to the back of the neck breaking the cycle. Benoit however ducks under an attempted Finlay blow and lands a German suplex on him!

Benoit now goes after MVP and connects with the Sharpshooter! The crowd is going crazy as MVP tries to withstand the hold. His hand is up! He looks like he's going to tap out! No! Finlay comes after Benoit but Benoit breaks the Sharpshooter and tries to lock in the Crossface on Finlay which he does! Finlay now looks to tap out but that won't happen as MVP dropkicks Benoit to the face! He lands a number of blows on Benoit then tries to pull him down by the leg but Benoit connects with a heel kick to the back of the head of MVP dropping him to the canvas and he looks down and out. Benoit slides out of the ring and goes after Finlay who had rolled out to get some time to recatch his breath. Benoit lands a German suplex on Finlay on the floor! The referee jumps out quickly to check on Finlay as his head connected fairly heavily on the mat before going back in. Benoit flicks sweat in his direction before climbing to the apron again where he ducks a blow from MVP and shoulder blocks him in the midsection. They go toe to toe and Benoit tries to suplex MVP out of the ring but MVP blocks it and pulls Benoit back into the ring and lands a number of knees to the midsection before throwing him into the corner! MVP pumps up then charges in for the big boot to the face but Benoit moves out of the way and MVP catches his foot over the top turnbuckle!

Benoit now with the German suplexes. One, two, and then the third counted by the crowd before running his hand against his throat and climbing up to the top rope. He flies off for the headbutt but MVP moves out of the way at the last moment. It's MVP now after they both get to their feet with a kick to the midsection before the crowd pops as Hornswoggle (Lil' Bastard) climbs up the ring steps with the shillelagh in hand! He distracts the referee and from the other side of the ring Finlay comes in with his shillelagh! He takes out MVP and then takes out Benoit with it before going for the cover on Benoit and this one is over!
Finlay defeated MVP and Chris Benoit in a Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying match in 10 minutes.
Rudi's rating - *** 1/2
Rudi's rant - I hope you all can make sense of my match review. These matches are sometimes hard to follow but I liked this match and great ring psychology by Finlay who seems to favour these matches. His teaming up with MVP whilst they worked on Benoit before the double-cross was excellent and it showed up MVP's lack of experience. Benoit as always is great value and it was sad to actually see him take the pin though it was by use of the shillelagh and not a clear defeat. It will just allow for a United States Champion feud to continue between Benoit and Finlay with MVP being an addition to the mix, maybe in a title match at Wrestlemania? The Money in the Bank match now has seven competitors and with differing talents so it's shaping up to be quite interesting!
Post match and Finlay celebrates as Hornswoggle goes back under the ring. We get the replay of the last few moments before watching Finlay back up the stage and see MVP and Benoit recovering slowly in the ring. An update on the 7 in the match before Cole and JBL discuss the match itself again and give us an update on the Hall of Fame with a video package on the latest inductee, Jerry "The King" Lawler. We're then shown Mr. Kennedy walking through backstage as we go to...

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and JBL and Cole mention two matches just announced from the office of Teddy Long (who for two weeks has not been seen now) for next week. The first is Undertaker vs. Finlay and the other match is Batista vs. Kane. Back to action and we have Mr. Kennedy making his way to the ring for his title attempt against Lashley for the ECW World Title. Tony Chimel announces the stipulations for the match as he introduces Mr. Kennedy who is exposing the steel turnbuckle before calling down the mic and before reminding us that he is the future of sports entertainment he also says we're going to see a new champion! He begins to announce himself but is interrupted by the music of Lashley and he makes his way to the ring, setting off his pyros before jumping up onto the apron and setting off his ring pyros. The referee shows the belt to the crowd and we're ready to go!

Match 5: Mr. Kennedy vs. Bobby Lashley (Champion) for the ECW World Heavyweight Title in a No Holds Barred rules match but only for Mr. Kennedy
We begin with the two squaring off and Lashley chases after Mr. Kennedy finally trapping him in the corner. Mr. Kennedy puts his head through the ropes and Lashley is forced to make the break but is poked in the eyes by Mr. Kenney who then goes after Lashley. He tries to slam the head of Lashley into the exposed turnbuckle but is blocked by Lashley to no avail as Kennedy continues to assault him regardless. Mr. Kennedy tries again but is blocked by Lashley who then elbows Kennedy and looks to slam his head into the turnbuckle but stops at the last moment as he cannot afford to get disqualified and trips up Kennedy to the canvas. Lashley whips Kennedy into the corner and then follows up with a clotheslines in the corner! He looks to whip him again but it's reversed by Kennedy but reversed by Lashley again who whips him back into the same corner and gives him another clothesline! A power slam attempt by Lashley is unsuccessful as Kennedy slides out from behind and he lands a low blow on Lashley! Lashley is in trouble as Kennedy then rams his head into the exposed turnbuckle! a roll up by Kennedy and almost a three count before we go to...

Commercial break...

Back from commercial and Kennedy whips Lashley hard into the corner then drops him with a side Russian leg sweep and attempted covers to no avail. Kennedy in disgust throws Lashley out of the ring . As Lashley attempts to reenter he's again assaulted by Kennedy who connects with a neckbreaker against the second rope sending Lashley crashing to the floor again. Kennedy backs off allowing the referee to try to count out Lashley. The referee gets to eight before Lashley manages to make it to the apron. Kennedy is waiting for him though and kicks him back down to the floor sending Lashley crashing into the announce table! Kennedy this time follows him out and rams the back of Lashley against the apron before whipping Lashley hard into the steel steps! Kennedy enters the ring again and waits for the referees count and he gets to eight before Lashley makes it to the apron again. This time he's ready and gives Kennedy a shoulder block to the midsection as he's approached and then manages to reenter the ring. Lashley with a couple of blows keeps Kennedy away before Kennedy dropkicks him to the canvas! Kennedy now with the tag team rope tries to choke Lashley out with it. Kennedy is perched over the back of Lashley yanking at the rope but in a fit of desperation Lashley makes it to his feet, piggybacking Kennedy and then backs into the corner ramming Kennedy into it. Kennedy is still hanging on so we get another attempt to finally break the hold. Lashley now with back elbows onto Kennedy before picking him up again for an attempted power slam but yet again Kennedy slides out from behind and takes out the back of the knee of Lashley!

Kennedy slides out of the ring and goes for chair which he throws into the ring. He waits for Lashley to get to his feet and then takes him down with a blow to the head! He attempts the cover but only for a two count! He picks Lashley up over his shoulders and lands a forward Samoan drop/somersault crashing the back of Lashley into the chair and then goes for another cover but only for a 2 1/2 count! He picks the chair up again and whacks it into the back of Lashley and then again. Lashley still manages to get to his feet however! Kennedy goes to land another blow with the chair but it's blocked by Lashley who ends up with the chair in his hands! The crowd are popping big for the comeback and Lashley looks to hit Kennedy with the chair but he can't or else he'll be disqualified! He drops the chair in disgust and goes after Kennedy but is yanked by the trunks through the ropes and onto the floor yet again! Lashley is not happy though as he's straight back into the ring and takes down Kennedy with a clothesline! Another one and then another as he picks up Kennedy to bodyslam him. Kennedy slides out yet again but Lashley this time connects with a clothesline first! Lashley picks up Kennedy over his shoulders and looks to land a Samoan drop on him but Kennedy is the master tonight of wriggling out of these holds as yet again he breaks out of it. He goes to take out the back of the leg again but Lashley with a standing leap jumps over the attempted blow! Lashley goes after Kennedy and picks him up yet again! Kennedy tries to elbow out of the powerslam but to no avail and Lashley connects with it and this one is over!
Bobby Lashley defeated Mr. Kennedy in 10 minutes to retain his ECW World Heavyweight Championship Title.
Rudi's rating - ** 1/2
Rudi's rant - Ummm, I don't know quite to make of this match. A fairly lame ending with Kennedy taking the pin way too easily for my liking. Lashley needs to be made to look strong leading up to Wrestlemania as the representative of Donald Trump but maybe not at the expense of Kennedy? Lashley has improved quite a bit from early days of watching him on Smackdown but lets see just how the improvement continues. He is certainly a far better athlete power wise than Batista in endurance though Batista still seems to look more aggressive with the power moves. Another setback for this match was the one-sided rules which I think detracted from it quite a bit as well sadly.
Post match and Lashley celebrates his win as Mr. Kennedy is still spread-eagled on the canvas. We get a replay of the chair shot by Kennedy and the final few moments of the match before we see Lashley leave the ring and Kennedy is still spread-eagled in the ring as the show ends.....

Another show and another week over. What has happened to Teddy Long? For two weeks now and no appearance. Has Vickie Guerrero had him kidnapped or what has happened to him? You'd think with leading up to Wrestlemania that he'd have a more active role but I'm curious to see where this is all leading. No tag team champions on the show tonight, no Miz, no Kane, no Boogeyman even. The matches it had were okay with the two Money in the Bank matches being suitable for the buildup to Wrestlemania. The Cruiserweight six man tag teased some dissension between Helms and Chavo Guerrero so that was good in its own way. As to the last match? Still undecided on that one but the killers of the show tonight were the promos firstly by Vince McMahon which deadened really what hadn't been a bad crowd as it was too long and erratic, as well as the initial promo by Batista. He's lacking something still from his comeback from injury. I can't quite put my finger on it but he is certainly not the character he was. I'm giving the show a 5 out of 10 tonight only for the matches it gave us. The crowd ran hot and cold depending on what was being given them so a 6 out of 10 for them and JBL and Cole were much better than last week and I'm giving them a 7 out of 10 and hope that next week is going to be much better!









*NEW GALLERY* Hot Photos of Hulk Hogan's YOUNGER MISTRESS & Brooke's Friend!

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