Smackdown 4th May, 2007
Submitted by Rudi Pavani on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 6:12 PM EST





G’day all! What a week in wrestling hey with news that Undertaker has completely torn a bicep and will in the next couple of weeks undergo surgery which will keep him out of wrestling for up to 8 months. Reports abound that it was so severe how it was torn you could see it up his arm. That’s pretty darn serious! Makes my cold pale into insignificance almost doesn’t it? It’s not a full report up to usual standards tonight as I’m not feeling 100%. It’s just a highlight of the matches which I’ll do my best to fill in the next few days if possible. Post Backlash and not a huge amount of surprises though I was a bit disappointed in reading how the Undertaker/Batista match finished. I had predicted a Kennedy run in of sorts but the ending as it stands was designed to keep the feud going though those plans are up in the air at the moment.

Speaking of which, how are WWE going to handle Undertaker’s injury? Will they have him do a Batista and give it up or have him lose it some other way? It would be easy for Kennedy to win it though you’ll see why later I don’t think he’s ready for it yet so out of left field expect something from say, maybe Mark Henry to add a tangent to the whole situation as I don’t think they should just give it back to Batista either. Let us get on with the review as it stands and thanks as always for being loyal readers.

Cheers… Rudi (rudip1@pacific.net.au)

Quick recap from last week
We begin with Batista and Finlay fighting backstage.
We get the now you see him now you don’t Undertaker.
Kennedy and Finlay try to talk Teddy Long into having Batista/Undertaker fight off against each other but end up in a tag team against them instead.
Kane and Boogeyman beat Regal and Taylor.
Deuce beats Kendrick
Kristal can’t get in an interview any decent comments from Deuce and Domino
MVP beats the supposed Scottish champion, Hamlet Macbeth.
MVP is then challenged by Benoit and walks out of the match after having had enough.
Jillian Hall beats Michelle McCool but then post match is beaten up by Michelle.
Batista and Undertaker beat Kennedy and Finlay.



We begin with a Backlash review with snippets of interviews from people that had attended as we see Batista and Undertaker lying prone off the stage.

We get the opening credits….we’re from Birmingham, Alabama today and then we’re in straight away with the first match as we get Boogeyman coming out for the first match and hey! He has Lil’ Boogey with him! They go through the appropriate antics and are in the ring when we get the music of William Regal and he makes his way out to the ring with Dave Taylor close behind.

Match 1: Boogeyman (with Lil’ Boogey) vs. William Regal (with Dave Taylor)
Regal is in control for a lot of the match though this crowd is hot as we get Boogeyman chants. We get Regal with a lot of offence and unlike matches they’ve had in the past, Regal takes it right to him. We eventually get the inevitable Boogeyman fight back then lands the pump handle slam. Boogey goes for the cover but it’s broken by Taylor who interferes and the referee has no other option but to call for the bell and disqualify Regal!
Boogeyman (with Lil’ Boogey) defeated William Regal (with Dave Taylor) by disqualification in 4 minutes
Rudi’s rating - **
Rudi’s rant – This was surprisingly not a bad little match with Boogeyman not allowed to squash Regal like he has in the past. I haven’t rated it that highly but only because I think it could have and should have had a bit more time I think.
Post match and Taylor and Regal beat down on Boogey. Lil’ Boogey comes in to help but is taken out by Taylor! We suddenly have though the music of Kane and he comes out for the rescue. Taylor and Regal decide it’s time to leave and hightail it out of there through the crowd with Kane not far behind. We see Boogey checking on Lil’ Boogey as we go to…

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and another Backlash replay with Vince McMahon winning the title.

We go backstage to Teddy Long speaking to someone off the camera who turns out to be Dusty Rhodes. They’re talking about the General Manager Assistant job and Dusty Rhodes stops and thinks Assistant? He says that he wants the top job and strolls off.

MVP walks in and he doesn’t want to be Teddy’s assistant. MVP has his own American Dream, the United States title was taken away from him he says. MVP wants another opportunity or else he’ll sit out his contract and not wrestle at all. Teddy Long says he’ll fight especially if he wants another shot at the title and sets him up against Kane in the main event and the winner will fight Benoit for the title. MVP looks peeved as he storms past Miz who gives us a hoorah as we go to…

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and the music of London and Kendrick hits. Kendrick rushes out to the ring as London with taped up ribs who can’t run as fast follows behind. Deuce and Domino come out shortly after and Domino is fighting Kendrick tonight.

Match 2: Brian Kendrick (with Paul London) vs. Domino (with Deuce and Cherry)
We get some early to and fro action before an attempted whip by Kendrick on Domino. Domino holds onto the rope and Kendrick charges in and clotheslines him over the top rope and down to the floor. He follows up with a very nice crossbody through the middle ropes and takes down Domino! Back in the ring Domino gets back in charge with knees on the apron knocking Kendrick to the floor. Kendrick is back in the ring and Domino works on his head and neck. We get the fightback from Kendrick but Domino takes charge again then a big body slam. He attempts to come off the top rope in the corner but Kendrick meets him with a boot to the face. Domino manages to whip Kendrick into the corner and then misses a splash in the corner and Kendrick with a number of dropkicks then an enziguri to the back of the head takes charge again. Deuce jumps up on the apron but London jumps up to grab him only to have Deuce knee him to the floor. This gives Kendrick the chance to grab Domino and land Sliced Bread #2 on Domino bouncing off of Deuce and he makes the cover!
Brian Kendrick (with Paul London) defeated Domino (with Deuce and Cherry) in 5 minutes.
Rudi’s rating - ***
Rudi’s rant – I was very happy with this match today. Last week Deuce and Kendrick fought what I thought was quite a boring match but Domino seems to gel better in singles competition. This feud is far from over and a couple of more tag teams and I can see a really good division again. Let’s hope that will happen…
Post match and London and Kendrick celebrate outside of the ring as Deuce and Domino look very agitated inside the ring. We get a replay of the win and then more words between the two teams.

We get a trailer from the Condemned movie and then thankfully…

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and Mr. Kennedy telling us it’s 331 days to Wrestlemania 24 and he cashes the briefcase in and then he, Mr. Kennedy will be the new champion! We then get the music of Matt Hardy and he comes out for this match.

Match 3: Mr. Kennedy vs. Matt Hardy
Lock up with clean break. Kennedy looks pumped for the match. Lots of Matt Hardy chants and it’s Hardy with head scissors and then some mat based and amateur wrestling to and fro. Kennedy finally with back elbow then goes to work on Hardy A Hardy comeback with a boot to the face after Kennedy charges into the corner after an Irish whip. We get a Kennedy fightback though with Hardy against the ropes then an attempted powerbomb but Hardy picks Kennedy up and tosses him over the ropes and Kennedy is busted open as we go…

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and Hardy off the top rope with an elbow to the back of the head and an attempted pin. Hardy looks in control but Kennedy with a DDT type move to Hardy after Hardy telegraphs a back body drop as Kennedy is whipped into the ropes. Kennedy follows up by ramming Hardy shoulder first into the corner then works on the left shoulder. A Hardy comeback but then both wrestlers clothesline each other and they’re wondering if Kennedy has broken his nose as we get a 7 count on both wrestlers. Back on their feet Hardy throws Kennedy out of the ring and exits the ring to take it to him but Kennedy pushes Hardy into the steps back first with his boot. Kennedy continues to work on the shoulder of Hardy. Hardy fights back and takes to Kennedy with a number of blows to the head but Kennedy takes control again with a clothesline after another Hardy telegraphed back body drop after whipping Kennedy into the ropes. We get Kennedy with a big running knee to the head of Hardy and then another one and another attempted pin but we have cheers for Hardy each time he breaks the pin. A Bulldog attempt by Hardy but Kennedy throws him off but Hardy regains control soon after and lands another Bulldog correctly!

Kennedy hangs Hardy off the top rope as he drops to the floor, but Hardy when Kennedy comes after him beats him lands the Side effect! Hardy tries to land another but Kennedy sweeps the leg and then almost gets the bridge pin. Another double clothesline again and a number of attempted pins by each of the wrestlers on each other before a Rolling Senton by Kennedy and almost a three count after he reverses an attempted Twist of Fate. Kennedy goes to the top rope for an attempted Kenton Bomb but Hardy lifts the legs and gets Kennedy in the back and almost gets the 3 count but then Hardy mounts the top rope and drops the leg and gets almost a three count. Hardy goes after Kennedy and almost lands a Twist of Fate but Kennedy pushes him off against the ropes. Kennedy goes after Hardy but is kicked in the midsection and Hardy lands the Twist of Fate this time and he gets the pin!
Matt Hardy defeated Mr. Kennedy in 18 minutes
Rudi’s rating - ****
What a great match! Hardy has certainly been brought back into the WWE fold and a clean win over Kennedy is great! They worked well together and there was some great intensity in this match I thought. Correct me if y’all don’t like it. I was worried about Knnedy losing for a moment but then I thought that it’s good he doesn’t win everything as it makes him more human and they can can mold him as a heel/face a lot more easily that way. I can’t see Kennedy winning for a little while the title just whilst they continue to build him up. His promos and ring intro rock!
Post match and Hardy gets a huge pop from the crowd as he slowly gets to his feet and celebrates his win as Kennedy we see ruing his loss outside of the ring.

Another Backlash replay of Batista vs. Undertaker and the double count-out finish before Teddy Long announces a rematch next week for the title which will be a cage match!

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and Maryse welcomes us back to the show. She’s glad we can join her. We’re then given the music of Jimmy Wang Yang and he comes out and gives us a bit of a dance before the music of Gregory Helms hit and he comes out for this match.

Match 4: Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Gregory Helms
Yang is in early control with a headlock, then another, then an arm drag and a stand off with Helms telling the crowd to shut up. Helms gains control by throwing Yang through the ropes and to the floor. He then rams him back first into the apron before throwing him back into the ring for an attempted cover. Helms works on the left leg of Yang whilst crushing his head into the canvas with his boot before Yang reaches the ropes. Nice suplex by Helms. Yang regains control again with a standing dropkick and a spinning head scissors. Yang mounts the ropes but Helms gets up and gets him on his shoulders and then drops him to the canvas before picking him up and putting him back on the ropes and attempts a suplex which Yang blocks. Yang then throws Helms face first into the canvas and when he gets up lands the moonsault and makes the cover!
Jimmy Wang Yang defeated Gregory Helms in 5 minutes.
Rudi’s rating - ** ¾
Rudi’s rant – Hmmmm, I’ve rated the match okay but just don’t like the way WWE just grabs out these guys who haven’t appeared in weeks and throws them in a match that has no build up at all. You’d think that at least Chavo Guerrero could have come out and made some commentary about how he wants to bring the prestige of the Cruiserweight title back or something similar. It’s a failing of WWE at times and I’d like to think I could do a better job writing some of their scripts!
Post match and Jimmy Wang Yang celebrates with a bit of a two step as we see Batista walking through backstage on his way to the ring before we go to…

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and Batista in the ring and he’s bandaged up and walking gingerly. He soaks up the atmosphere of this pretty hot crowd. They went to the limit and pushed past the limit and neither could beat the 10 count. Nothing is resolved and as he was lying there in all the rubble and destruction, beaten and battered. Batista wondered if it was worth all the pain and if he could have just quit but it is worth it and he’s ready to do it! Ready to fight again! He’s ready for this cage match next week!

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and a Mark Henry promo. He’s coming back. We have seen the pain and destruction he’s caused. He’s taken care of Mysterio, Benoit, Undertaker, Batista and this time there will be more carnage and there is nothing that we can do about it….

The music of Finlay hits and he makes his way out, shillelagh in hand as usual. In the ring Finlay looks down the crowd before we get the music of Miz and he makes his way to the ring looking ready to battle.

Match 5: Finlay vs. The Miz
Miz calls on Finlay and a lock up and headlock by Finlay to begin the match and Finlay after an Irish whip knocks Miz down and then gives him a hoorah. Miz shows offence and elbows Finlay then kicks him out of the ring. MIz follows but Finlay takes him down with a clothesline before reentering the ring. We see Miz slowly getting his breath on the floor when from under the ring pops out Lil’ Bastard who looks at Miz and holds up two fingers in a V for victory sign. Miz looks at him then rolls away as he’s poked in the eyes by them! Finlay continues to be in charge as he gets Miz back in and takes to him with uppercuts and the bum stomp. Finlay continues his assault. Finlay removes the protective cover from the turnbuckle which is seen by the referee. As the referee is putting it back on, Lil’ Bastard comes into the ring and he’s rammed head first into the midsection of Miz!

Miz is like he’s been shot as Finlay continues to be in control of this match. An Irish whip into the corner by Finlay and a charge results in Miz moving out of the way and Finlay ramming shoulder first into the corner and Miz is in control! It’s Miz with a running clothesline and leap into Finlay in the corner that sends him crashing to the canvas before Miz exits the ring and looks under the ring skirting to find Lil’ Bastard! Lil’Bastard is not under the ring though and takes to Miz with a golf club in the rear. Miz chases after him. Lil’ Bastard is hopped over by Finlay who has made it outside the ring and Miz runs straight into a clothesline! Finlay again in control in the ring until he jumps into the boot of Miz and falls out of the ring where Miz follows and takes to him along the apron. All of a sudden Miz is tripped up from under the ring and dragged under the ring. Finlay rolls back inside the ring and no sigh of Miz at all. All of a sudden Miz comes out from under the ring and he’s wearing the Lil’ Bastard’s hat. Miz looks upset as he backs up the rampway as the referee continues to count and Miz is counted out of the match!
Finlay defeated Miz by countout in 6 minutes
Rudi’s rating - ***
Rudi’s rant – Another match to be happy about in the fact that Miz showed some of that talent he has in the ring. Finlay works still with most everyone very well and Lil’ Bastard? Well, I think Finlay could be a good face/heel opponent for anyone. JBL acknowledged some of Miz’s moves throughout the match and seeing how much heat Miz gets from him backstage I hope it’s a sign of better things to come.
Post match and Finlay takes the win as Miz looks mightily upset from up on stage. Finlay leaves with Lil’Bastard giving him a thumbs up before back under the ring.

Somewhere we have Undertaker telling us he took Batista’s soul and health. Next week he’s going to step into the demon’s playground where Undertaker will show no remorse, no mercy and Batista will rest in peace…..

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and we have MVP making his way out to the ring and I like his entrance more and more. In the ring MVP rocks around before we get the music of Kane and he makes his way towards the ring and MVP isn’t backing away at all. In the ring Kane sets of the ring pyros and we’re ready for action.

Match 6: MVP vs. Kane
Kane is straight onto MVP with some heavy offense against the ropes and MVP is already in trouble. Off the ropes MVP is caught in midair and bear hugged by Kane who then drives him back first into the turnbuckle before choking him. A scoop slam by Kane and an attempted pin before Kane tries to squeeze his head. Kane continues his offense and MVP can’t do much about it. Kane focuses on the back of MVP as well as the uppercuts. Kane tries to throw MVP over the ropes but MVP holds on. MVP hangs Kane across the top rope but Kane just uses the boot and kicks MVP to the floor as we go to…

Commercial break…

Back from commercial and Kane is still dominating this match until he is rammed shoulder first into the corner. MVP now tries to work on his arm as well as landing blows to the head. Continued MVP assault on the arm of MVP. A Kane chant and Kane attempts to regain control but MVP takes care of that. MVP is taken to task by the referee which allows Kane to take MVP down with a huge clothesline. MVP regains control first though and more work on the arm of Kane. Eventual Kane control again with the big boot and two huge uppercuts and a huge clothesline in the corner! Another attempt but Kane meets just the steel post! MVP almost gets the pin with the big boot to the head of Kane in the corner. Kane gets a side slam happening and almost gets the pin. A swinging neckbreaker from MVP and almost a cover. Kane off the ropes gets MVP around the throat but MVP fights it off. Kane whips MVP off the ropes and lands a big back body drop and stalks MVP for a clothesline which he lands! The crowd are into this match! A body slam by Kane who exits the ring, climbs to the top rope and lands a flying clothesline!

Kane looks to stalk MVP for a chokeslam but out run Taylor and Regal and onto the ring apron! Kane grabs them both around the throat and tries to throttle them but MVP back on his feet tackles Kane from behind! He beats into Kane until the referee comes inbetween them and pushes MVP away back towards the middle of the ring. That allows Regal from the outside to land a big blow onto Kane staggering him before running off and he’s wearing brass knuckles! Back in the ring it’s MVP who sets up Kane for the Playmaker, completes the move and makes the cover!
MVP defeated Kane in 11 minutes
Rudi’s rating - ***
Rudi’s rant – MVP landing his signature move on Kane? Regardless of the interference by Regal it’s surely a sign MVP is being pushed nicely by WWE at the moment. This was better than their other meetings and certainly more offense by MVP. He needs a bit of work in the ring still against maybe some opponents, his matches with Benoit have been much better but one can’t complain about his improvement all around.
Post match and MVP celebrates his win from the rampway as Kane is left in the ring looking in pain and unimpressed with his loss. Kane is holding the side of his head as we see a replay of the hit from Regal, then MVP landing the Playmaker and we end the show with MVP and Kane staring at each other…

I hope my review makes sense folks this week. I really enjoyed this episode, flu and all. I can’t really say there was a flat spot throughout. There were no divas, no Chris Benoit, and no Chavo but some of those we haven’t seen much had a go today and though a bit disjointed with no buildup to a couple of the matches it still flowed smoothly and I can’t wait to see what happens next week. I’m giving this show an 8 out of 10 just for the way it moved and the crowd gets a 91/2 out of 10 (Go Birmingham!) as one gets more into the show if the crowd is popping for everything. The commentary I’m giving an 8 out of 10 as well as JBL put over Miz, he put over Jimmy Wang Yang, he even didn’t baulk as much over the Boogeyman. See you all next week. :)










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