WWE SummerSlam! – August 17, 2008
Get ready for the hardest-hitting, most explosive blockbuster of the summer, starring John Cena, Triple H, Batista, The Undertaker, and more! Check WWE.com for more information.




Friday Night Smackdown!
Fridays 8/7 ET
Norfolk, Virginia


Sorry folks for the no-report last week. I intended to write the report, but ran extremely busy at the last minute. In addition, I apologize for not having this report up earlier; it’s just that I have had to manage a party scheduled for tomorrow. So I am writing this report with very little commentary. Thanks!



We see a recap from last week with Edge snapping and beating the entire Family, including throwing Vickie out of her wheelchair.

Fireworks go off as Tazz and JR welcome us to another edition of SmackDown!

Justin Robert informs us that the first match of the evening will be contested for the US Title.

Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring to another huge reaction.

His opponent is Shelton Benjamin.

Match 1: Jeff Hardy v. Shelton Benjamin
Match begins with a lockup between the two, but Jeff gets the better of it as he manages to reverse a Benjamin headlock to get a school boy. We see a lot of near falls early on. As the match progresses, there comes a point where Hardy prepares for the Twist of Fate, but Benjamin slides out of the ring only to receive a chord of boos. After Benjamin re-enters the ring, he starts to pound Hardy down and applies a headlock. With the crowd intensely looking on, we go to break.

-Commercial-

Back, Shelton starts to wear Jeff down. Jeff tries building the momentum, but repeatedly gets cut off. Benjamin then connects with a snap suplex and tries various other maneuvers until Jeff finally starts fighting back. An amazing spot occurs when Jeff is sent over the top ropes and onto the apron. Benjamin, from the inside of the ring, runs and leaps over Jeff in an attempt to connect with a sunset flip powerbomb to the floor. However, Jeff stops it and hits an amazing hurricanrana. Minutes later, a botched spot occurs, but Jeff sees to make the better of it and goes up top for the Swanton Bomb. It is at this point, MVP runs in from the crowd and throws Jeff down, thus resulting in the referee calling for the bell.

Post-Match: MVP goes to kick Jeff in the face, but Jeff dodges it and MVP accidentally hits Benjamin. As MVP turns around, Jeff gives MVP a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb for good measures. Then Jeff gives Benjamin a Swanton.

(Rating: 3.5/5. This was a very good match.)

Backstage, Vickie is greeted by Victoria. Vickie wants to start a conversation with her and tells her that she can feel that both Undertaker and Edge are here tonight.

-Commercial-

Match 2: Michelle McCool & Maria v. Maryse & Natalya
Match begins with Maryse and Maria. They exchange a few words and lockup. Moments later,Maryse trips Maria down and begins to celebrate. Maria comes back and eventually connects with a springboard side headlock. As the match progresses, Natalya gets tagged in and she begins to pound Maria down. After a few minutes, Maria gets the hot tag to McCool and she begins to build momentum for her team. She manages to even get in a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. Towards the end of the match, McCool tries hitting Natalya, but Maryse pulls her out of the ring. As a result, McCool follows and a brawl begins outside. The fight continues back in the ring where McCool gets tripped and caught into a cradle giving Natalya and her team the win.

(Match Rating: 2.5/5)

We are told that Triple H will be in action later on tonight!

-Commercial-

The Brian Kendrick comes out with Ezekiel. He grabs a microphone and says that he brings people to the business. He then asks Ezekiel if anybody brings more to the table than him. Zeke responds that not a single person does. Kendrick then says that he doesn’t care about these people and that he is the future.

Kendrick’s opponent is newcomer Scotty Goldman (aka Colt Cabana)

Match 3: The Brian Kendrick v. Scotty Goldman
Bell rings and Kendrick gets the offense going with numerous kicks and dropkicks. Kendrick then hits a flying forearm and slaps on a camel clutch. Goldman eventually gets out of it and the two begin to trade forearm shots. Unfortunately for Goldman, Kendrick gets the better of it as he gets a cheapshot to the gut of Goldman. Kendrick then backs off and charges at Goldman, only to get kicked back down. Goldman then attempts a powerbomb, but Kendrick reverses it and hits The Kendrick for the pin.

(Rating: 2.5/5)

Post-Match: Ezekiel enters the ring and takes Goldman down with a shoulder tackle.

Backstage, we see Eve Torres. She introduces the WWE Champion, Triple H as her guest. She shows Triple H a recap from last week where Khali locked in the Vice Grip on the Game and laid him out. Eve then asks Triple H if he can compete at SummerSlam, much less tonight. He begins to speak, but gets cut off when Kenny Dykstra interrupts him. Dykstra says that tonight he will face Triple H and that he sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. Triple H says that he admires his spirit, but he picked the wrong day and the wrong guy. Dykstra walks away…

-Commercial-

JR and Tazz hype SmackDown! being the Number 1 program last week among males.

The Great Khali makes his way down to the ring accompanied by Ranjin Singh. Khali begins to speak in his native language. Ranjin translates for the people that Khali basically says that Triple H should simply quit while he still has the chance.

Triple H’s music hits and he receives a huge ovation. He has a brief stare down with Khali.

Ranjin Singh and Khali walk out of the ring to the announcer’s table area to watch the next bout.

Match 4: Triple H v. Kenny Dykstra
As the bell rings, Khali distracts The Game and Dykstra takes advantage by striking with numerous punches and cornering Triple H. He then irish whips Triple H, but soon gets clotheslined down. Minutes later, Triple H hits the facebuster and eventually the Spinebuster. He poses for the crowd and looks at Khali. Triple H then hits the Pedigree and this bout is already over.

Post-Match: Hunter stares at Khali and tells him to get in the ring. Khali doesn’t and Triple H goes outside. Ranjin Singh cuts him off and asks Triple H if he is crazy. Triple H grabs Ranjin by the neck and throws him into the ring. Triple H taunts Khali as he threatens to hit Ranjin. Khali attempts to get in the ring and Triple H goes immediately to attack him. Triple tries the Pedigree on the Punjabi Nightmare, but Khali shoves him off. Triple H still tries and eventually manages to clothesline Khali out of the ring.

(Match/Segment Rating: 3/5.)

Triple H poses for the crowd as we go to break.

-Commercial-

The Big Show’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring and hugs a little kid from the audience. His opponent is another newcomer by the name of Ryan Braddock. He appears to be heel.

Match 5: The Big Show v. Ryan Braddock
Both men start off with a boxing pose and Braddock starts to lay right hands into Show, but gets tosses to the outside like a little kid. Show chases him to the outside and rams Braddock to the apron. Show tosses Braddock back in and headbutts him back down. Show proceeds to chop Braddock in the corner and manhandles him with a heavy toss. Big Show then hits a Super Punch for the win.

Post-Match: Referees come in and try to help Braddock.

(Rating: 1.5/5.)

Backstage we see MVP hanging his clothes when Eve walks in and tries to ask him a question. MVP just grabs the microphone and says that he tried to uplift and help Jeff, but now at SummerSlam he will beat Jeff down.

Further backstage, we see Victoria and Vickie still taking. Vickie admits that she still had feelings for Edge, but after last week, she never wants to see him again. Vickie then asks Victoria if she can escort Vickie to her limousine.

-Commercial-

R-Truth video package airs.

Back, we see Victoria escorting Vickie to the Limo. As they approach the vehicle, the window rolls down Edge’s face appears! Vickie screams as Edge gets out of the car. Edge says that tonight he is going to have fun with Vickie. Edge further mentions that they are taking a ride to hell.

Match 6: Festus v. Vladimir Koslov
The bell rings and Festus cleans house. He actually takes down Koslov and strikes with powerful fists. Koslov starts fighting back and they brawl to the outside. Koslov then applies a front facelock and yells at Koslov. Back in the ring, Koslov applies a bear hug on Festus. Koslov then connects with a suplex and covers. After a two count, Festus gets back up and builds momentum as he takes down Koslov. The end came when Festus went to the top and attempted a crossbody, but Koslov headbutted Festus in the stomach and got the 3 count.

(Rating: 2.5/5. Well done.)

RAW Rebound: The Batista/Cena rivalry is shown as they lose the Tag Titles to Rhodes and Dibiase.

-Commercial-

JR and Tazz go over the SummerSlam card.

Backstage, we see Edge is still messing around with Vickie. Looks like they are headed to the ring.

We are then shown a video package about Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. Today was his re-evaluation date.

-Commercial-

We return and see Edge wheeling Vickie down to ringside. She is shown crying and terrified. Edge taunts her and kicks her out of her wheelchair. Edge then goes to the ground to make her feel a little better.

Edge states that the marriage is a complete marriage and tells Vickie to calm down. Edge says that lines have been crossed and that he has committed unforgivable sins.

They then sit up together and shows more of his sadistic side. Edge then says that the people wants to see all the good times so we will take a trip down memory lane.

A video package rolls highlighting the ups and downs of the two’s marriage.

We then see Edge and Vickie again. Edge asks if Vickie remembers what they did to the Undertaker. Edge says that she wants her to apologize to the Undertaker. Vickie apologizes. Edge then states that it is her fault that the entire Family is suffering. Edge then adds that he is burning in hell, just like Vickie wanted, but come SummerSlam, he promises that Undertaker will burn in hell with him.

Edge then begs Undertaker to come out. He says that he is going to show Taker the purest form of hell he’s ever been in.

Edge taunts Vickie some more as the show goes off the air…

(Segment Rating: 4.5/5. Awesome promo. Edge is literally carrying this show.)



Quick Match Results:
-Match 1: Jeff Hardy def. Shelton Benjamin via DQ
-Match 2: Natalya & Maryse def. Maria & Michelle McCool
-Match 3: The Brian Kendrick def. Scott Goldman
-Match 4: Triple H def. Kenny Dykstra
-Match 5: Big Show def. Ryan Braddock
-Match 6: Vladimir Koslov def. Festus

Smack of the Night: Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin (US Title Match)

Impact of the Night: The Super Punch Big Show gave Braddock.

Overall: 6/10. Rather lackluster tonight.

SummerSlam should be a good PPV. I seriously recommend people to see it as I truly think the Edge/Undertaker Cell match will be one for the ages. Possibly Match of the Year! Speaking of SummerSlam, here are my predictions. Sorry I’m running late, so I won’t be able to explain in detail.

SummerSlam Predictions:

-MVP will defeat Jeff Hardy
-Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix will defeat Kofi Kingston & Mickie James.
-Mark Henry will defeat Matt Hardy or Matt may win via DQ.
-Triple H will defeat the Great Khali.
-CM Punk will defeat JBL.
-John Cena will defeat Batista.
-The Undertaker will defeat Edge in Hell in a Cell.





Do you have any questions, concerns, or comments? If so, feel free to email me, MIK, at mik123@ymail.com